About | Internship Requirements | How to Apply
Internship Opportunities
Marketing & Development | Special Events & Operations | Art & Research | Volunteerism & Community Outreach | Nonprofit Management | Media Design
About the WaterFire Internship Program
WaterFire interns will be given an up-close view of the inner workings of a major nonprofit organization dedicated to the ritual of renewal in a city through the magic of art and music, water and fire. An internship at WaterFire is a very unique experience allowing interns to work side-by-side with staff and members of the community to present an amazing and moving event. 
Whether an intern is interested in learning more about the workings of a nonprofit, about art, theatre, music, or community, an internship at WaterFire combines it all.
A WaterFire intern will finish his or her internship with experience in many areas: nonprofit public arts administration, fundraising, event planning, and a better understanding of the intersection between art & culture and community.
Internship Requirements
Required skills include:
- The ability to confidently take and follow direction, as well as multi-task
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- The ability to work well independently and with others
- Access to a car and a valid driver’s license are preferable
- Genuine interest in art, culture and community, and WaterFire
All WaterFire internships are hosted at the WaterFire Providence Studio - 101 Regent Avenue, Providence, RI 02908. Full-time and Part-time internships are available during Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms. Times vary and are flexible - please inquire for details.
All WaterFire internships are unpaid. Internships may be done for academic credit, career exploration, or service learning.
How to Apply
To apply for an inernship position, please send a cover letter (stating which internship you are interested in) and resume to Alex Brinckerhoff, Volunteer Coordinator at alex@waterfire.org or 401.273.9727.
For more information about interning at WaterFire contact Alex.
Internship Opportunties
Marketing & Development
The Marketing & Development Intern will work closely with the Director of Resource Development, the Development Associate, and other members of the WaterFire staff to prepare for and carry out WaterFire events.
Activites include: press releases, sponsorship relations, media contacts, organizing and project planning, website maintenance, new media projects, assistance at events and more. Responsibilities on the evenings of the event which may include: communicating with volunteers and VIP guests, set-up, errand running, organizing boat rides, decorating, breakdown, and clean-up.
Special Events & Operations
The Special Events & Operations Intern will work closely with the Director of Events and Operations and other members of the WaterFire staff to prepare for and carry out WaterFire events.
Activites include: clerical and administrative tasks necessary to prepare for the events, assistance with event operations and coordination, physical tasks in preparation for the events, as well as a wide range of responsibilities on the evenings of the event which may include: set-up of receptions and stages, errand running, filling braziers with wood, cleaning up the river, decorating, breakdown, and clean-up.
Art & Research
The Art & Research Intern will work closely with the Graphics Designer and other members of the WaterFire staff to prepare for and carry out WaterFire related events.
Activities include: research associated with grants, public art, cultural collaborations, & creative fundraising strategies; preparing and designing manuals for various aspects of the WaterFire event (invites, signage, pamphlets, etc); updating and authoring portions of the website; preparing press materials; errand running; and various clerical and administrative tasks. Some experience with (or willingness to learn) Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator are helpful.
Volunteerism & Community Outreach
The Volunteer & Community Outreach Intern will work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and other members of the WaterFire staff to prepare for and carry out WaterFire events.
Activites include: clerical and administrative tasks necessary to prepare for the events, assistance with volunteer coordination, physical tasks in preparation for the events, as well as a wide range of responsibilities on the evenings of the event. Event day tasks might include: set-up, errand running, filling braziers with wood, organizing lunch for the volunteers, cleaning up the river, gardening, decorating, staffing donation stations, fire tending, breakdown, and clean-up.
Work closely with WaterFire Management on grantmaking and assisting in other long term strategic planning working towards greater organizational sustainablitiy.
Activites include: Working on grant research and grant writing, using social media a tool, investigating organizational relationship building, running errands, researching and fact finding based upon needs of management, sitting in and assisting in meetings, and managing small groups of volunteers during events.
Assisting the Media Producer, this internship involves working on the Audio/Visual creation and maintenance of the event.
Activities include: creatation of photo/video presentation used both internally and for marketing purposes, assisting in audio/video production during the events, acting as a videographer, helping to archive and organize audio/visual material, and research new uses of technology.