Arts Administration and Operations Internship

Music@Menlo is seeking Arts Administration and Operations Interns for its 2026 season. Playing a key role within the operations team, the Arts Admin and Ops Intern will have the opportunity to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at an internationally renowned arts organization and to gain valuable, practical skills in leadership, human resources, event planning, and arts administration. The Arts Admin and Ops Intern works closely with Music@Menlo's Business and Operations Manager and other senior staff members to plan and execute a number of activities and events focused on artistic and operational activities as well as inventory management, sales reporting, and customer service through the sale of festival merchandise.

Position Overview The Arts Administration and Operations Intern plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the festival. Working collaboratively across departments, the intern supports artistic, operational, and audience-facing activities - from artist and student coordination to event logistics, merchandise management, and patron relations. This position provides a holistic understanding of how artistic, administrative, and hospitality functions interconnect to create a seamless festival experience.

Pre-Festival

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate supply and equipment needs including procurement, inventory/tracking, receiving deliveries, etc.
• Prepare and distribute festival materials, including welcome packets, orientation schedules, and internal documentation.
• Help coordinate logistics for festival housing, transportation, and equipment needs.
• Assist with planning and coordination of donor and hospitality events.
• Cultivate relationships with home hosts, donors, vendors, and volunteers through in-person interaction, phone, email, and written correspondence
• Other administrative and operational responsibilities as needed.
  
  

During The Festival

• Serve as a professional and welcoming representative of the festival to artists, patrons, and students
• Assist with daily operational tasks, including scheduling, rehearsal room management, and communications.
• Provide on-site event support for concerts, receptions, master classes, educational programs, and post-concert events including setup, serving, and clean-up
• Manage merchandise operations, including setup and staffing of sales tables, maintaining displays, coordinating artist sales and autograph sessions, daily inventory, reconciling sales, and preparing reports
• Manage RSVPs and guest list management for post-concert donor events
• Assist in liaising with home hosts and artists, including making site visits
• Support audience services including concessions, usher coordination, and information desk operations
• Maintain organized financial and event records in databases and spreadsheets
• Assist with the input of various master schedule items into the festival's scheduling software including production schedule and usher assignments, ensuring adequate coverage for all events and activities and 100 percent accuracy in data entry
• Create daily informational schedules and other handouts for distribution in the festival Welcome Center
• Oversee and create select festival signage; post throughout campus
• Oversee daily Mornings@Menlo master classes and Café Conversations as house manager, and assist with evening events as assistant house manager
• Uphold the highest standards of hospitality, professionalism, and teamwork across all festival activities
• Document best practices and contribute to the internship training binder at season's end
  
  

Qualifications

The ideal candidates will have strong writing, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills; advanced proficiency with computers and various organizational software; impeccable attention to detail; positive energy and a willingness to pitch in to be a team player wherever needed. Through this internship, the intern will have the ability to further develop these job skills as well as learn new skills. The position requires flexibility, stamina, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Intern must be open to receiving feedback and guidance throughout the course of the internship. An interest in classical music or the performing arts is helpful, but not required.

In addition, the following qualifications are required to ensure a meaningful, well-rounded experience for the intern:

• Interest in human resource management, arts administration, and/or nonprofit management
• Ability to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced environment, as well as make good decisions quickly
• Ability to both work independently and integrate with a larger, cohesive team
• Display sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, and flexibility with different personalities and working styles
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25lbs
  
  

Dates, Compensation, Work Hours, Misc. Info

Internship dates are July 6 through August 10, 2026. This is a full-time, seasonal, non-exempt position. Hourly compensation is at the rate of $17.50 per hour. Work schedule will vary to include various forty-hour work week shifts, which may begin mid-week and may include Saturday and Sunday hours plus paid overtime. All interns are required to complete a successful background check. Minors will be required to secure a State of California minor work permit before commencement of and as a requirement for employment.

Our full-time interns are eligible to participate in our generous benefits package for the duration of their assignment, starting in the month following date-of hire, including comprehensive group insurance plans, retirement plan with exceptional employer contributions, and lunch on site during the festival.

Interns will be responsible for securing their own housing and transportation arrangements. Housing may be available at Menlo College, a short five-minute walk from the Music@Menlo office. Interns will coordinate directly with Menlo College if choosing to reside there.

In Addition, Interns May Access The Following Benefits

• On-the-job training and hands-on experience working with the organization's staff in a professional, supportive environment
• A broad perspective on the many components that form an internationally renowned classical music festival
• Free tickets to select performances, subject to availability and schedule demands
• Career development assistance
• College credit, work study, independent study, and/or cooperative learning programs may be available through your college or university. Participants may arrange for academic credit through their school, if desired.
  
  

To Apply

Complete the application form at www.musicatmenlo.org/about/internships.

Preferred deadline: January 15, 2026, or until positions are filled. Interviews to be scheduled as applications come in.

About Music@Menlo

Music@Menlo, an internationally acclaimed chamber music festival and institute under the artistic direction of cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, was founded in 2003. Based in Atherton, California (30 miles south of San Francisco), Music@Menlo is an important part of the Bay Area's dynamic cultural fabric. Music@Menlo is noted for its world-class chamber music performances, extensive audience engagement programs, intensive training for preprofessional musicians through its Chamber Music Institute, and efforts to enrich and expand the global chamber music community.

About The Arts Management Internship Program

Music@Menlo's internship program is ideally suited for motivated individuals who are eager to learn about the field of arts management and related work areas in a professional setting. An internship with Music@Menlo offers invaluable training and mentorship toward a professional career in arts management or nonprofit administration. Through on-the-job training and hands-on experience, interns gain practical experience and develop professional skills to take them into the next stage of their career development.