Internships
Deadline for Summer Internships: MAR 19, 2012
Spring Internship Period: MAY 7-SEPT 14
CounterPULSE is one of San Francisco’s leading venues for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary performance. Our interns experience a lively and bustling work environment at the heart of the Bay Area’s arts community, gaining essential hands-on work experience, making valuable contacts, and participating in the leadership of the organization. Internships are available in the following four areas:
Outreach Internship
Our outreach intern works closely with our Communications Manager to execute all aspects of promotion and publicity. This position is a crash-course in how to promote a working art space and the productions within. CounterPULSE believes in creative outreach strategies that involve the audience in the work that is produced in the space. The outreach intern will utilize social networking sites, blogging and traditional publicity routes to get the word out about everything that is CounterPULSE. They follow events from their curatorial inception to the actual performance, helping to shape how we communicate art and ideas. They will play a pivotal role in all planning processes and production meetings, and duties include online publicity, procuring donations, documentation of audience members and artists during rehearsals and performances of events, and general office and database upkeep. This internship offers the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of social media, engage in the creative process, and practice professional outreach and publicity strategies.
Candidates should have regular access to email, a working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Google documents, Facebook, and Twitter, excellent and professional phone and people skills, and enthusiasm for art and creative problem solving!
Arts Administration Internship
Our Arts Administration Interns learn valuable skills through “hands on” experience. They play a pivotal role in and out of the CounterPULSE office, assisting our Operations Associate with all aspects of administration, and are a key member of the staff. This position is active and varied. Its duties range from attendance and secretarial tasks at board and staff meetings, to assistance with financial and bookkeeping systems, to management of databases and demographic surveys, as well as everyday office tasks. Depending on the time of year, the arts administration intern also has the opportunity to learn and accrue skills in curatorial strategies and philosophies, and to gain a fundamental understanding of the general ebb and flow of a non-profit community arts space. They are also encouraged to fully bring their voice and critical thought to the development and identity of CounterPULSE. Candidates should have basic computer knowledge (including MS Word and Excel), excellent phone and people skills, and enthusiasm for working with a diverse public.
Technical Production Internship
The Technical Production Internship introduces aspiring technicians and production managers to the processes involved in producing shows in a professional theater. It offers hands-on experience with curatorial strategies and a fundamental understanding of running a non-profit community arts space. The intern will assist with implementing shows technical needs, liaising with artists, administration, and helping on-site at a broad variety of events. The Intern will be required to attend some rehearsals, production and staff meetings.
The Technical Production Intern will work closely with the Program Manager and Technical Director and Facilities Manager to assist in executing all CounterPULSE-produced projects. The Technical Production Intern is a hands-on position and the intern will be required to assist in the general maintenance and upkeep of the space and equipment. Through this process, the intern will learn first hand how to use all of the technical equipment at CounterPULSE and apply it to productions. Additionally, the Technical Production Intern should have some technical background and be comfortable working on a ladder. Design experience and a flexible schedule are not required but are encouraged.
Development Internship
The Development Intern works closely with the Development Associate (DA) to strategize and execute all aspects of fundraising and member engagement at CounterPULSE. Recognizing that a sound individual donor base is the key to long-term sustainability for any organization, this position will assist the DA in all aspects of development. The Development Intern has the opportunity to develop strong hands-on and strategic skills in fundraising, and will also assist with grant proposals, CounterPULSE members, and donations. An enthusiastic learner, innovative thinker and articulate, detail-oriented person is suitable for this position.
| Title | Time Commitment | Stipend |
| Outreach Intern | 15 hrs/week | $400 |
| Arts Administration Intern | 15 hrs/week | $400 |
| Technical Production Intern | 15 hrs/week | $400 |
| Development Intern | 15 hrs/week | $400 |
| Technical Intern (NA Summer ’12) | 15 hrs/week | $400 |
| Production Intern (NA Summer ’12) | 15 hrs/week | $400 |
Internship commitments and deadlines are as follows:
| Season | Application Deadline | Length of Internship |
| Spring 2012 | Nov. 7th, 2011 | Jan 9-May 18 |
| Summer 2012 | March 19th, 2012 | May 7-Sept 14 |
| Fall 2012 | July 9th, 2012 | Sept 3-Jan 18 |
All interns receive free admission to all CounterPULSE events and academic credit if applicable.
To apply: Please read all steps carefully before applying.
- Please send a cover letter and resume to internships@counterpulse.org
- Please attach your resume and cover letter as word documents, do not send a cover letter in the body of the email
- Put your full name and position in the name of the document, i.e., “JonSmith_Tech_Resume.doc” & “JonSmith_Tech_Cover.doc”
- Please indicate the title of the position(s) for which you are applying in the subject line and on your cover letter. It is possible to be considered for multiple positions with one application.








