Internship description provided by BalletX
BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company, is dedicated to creating original works that celebrate athleticism, emotion, and innovation. Since our founding in 2005, we have premiered more than 150 new ballets, toured nationally and internationally, and built one of Philadelphia’s most vibrant and inclusive hubs for dance. From our home in the heart of South Philadelphia, we engage thousands of audiences each year through performances, community pop-ups, touring, and educational initiatives.
Our Summer Internship Program is designed to give students broad, hands-on experience in nonprofit arts administration, spanning business operations, program development, community engagement, and organizational strategy. Interns work alongside staff across multiple departments, gaining a well-rounded understanding of how a professional arts organization functions day-to-day. And importantly, no ballet or dance background is required – just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn.
As an intern with BalletX, you’ll join a dynamic, collaborative team that believes deeply in the power of dance to connect people and spark curiosity. You’ll be exposed to the inner workings of a fast-paced arts nonprofit, contribute directly to real projects, and gain a close-up view of how artistic excellence and community-centered values come together in a professional setting. This is an opportunity to learn, experiment, and make your mark while supporting a mission-driven organization shaping the future of contemporary ballet.
We are offering three structured internship tracks: Marketing, Finance & Economics, and Education & Partnerships. Applicants may indicate interest in more than one track.
1) Marketing Internship
Overview
The Marketing Intern will support BalletX’s communications and campaign planning, contributing to the development of messaging, brand storytelling, and audience engagement strategies. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys writing, analyzing data, and exploring creative ways arts organizations reach and grow their audiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the development of the 2026-2027 Season Launch Marketing Plan, including audience research, platform evaluation, and multi-channel recommendations.
- Draft external communications, including email copy, social media text, press releases, and campaign messaging.
- Support media outreach and distribution efforts, including updating press lists, preparing digital press kits, and distributing promotional materials.
- Analyze marketing plans, campaign performance, and marketing spend to guide future strategies.
- Assist with day-to-day marketing tasks such as content organization, asset tracking, and analytics reporting.
Ideal Candidate
- Clear and engaging writer.
- Interest in digital marketing, communications, brand strategy, or arts administration.
- Comfortable with spreadsheets, analytics dashboards, and research tools.
2) Finance & Economics Internship
Overview
The Finance & Economics Intern will play a key role in analyzing BalletX’s earned revenue streams and helping shape financial models that support sustainable program growth. This track blends financial analysis, economics, and strategic planning, offering hands-on experience within a working arts organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze ticket sales, merchandise sales, and other earned revenue to identify trends and opportunities.
- Build a budget and pricing model for BalletX’s Open Studio Classes, including cost projections, break-even analysis, and revenue scenarios.
- Prepare summaries and visualizations to support strategic decision-making.
- Contribute to financial reporting processes and evaluate existing earned revenue programs.
- Support the Finance & Operations teams with special projects that surface throughout the summer.
Ideal Candidate
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Proficient in Excel or Google Sheets; interest in data visualization is a plus.
- Curious about the intersection of finance, economics, and the arts.
3) Education & Partnerships Internship
Overview
The Education & Partnerships Intern will support BalletX’s community-based programming, with a focus on Dance eXchange, Open Studio Classes, and relationship-building across Philadelphia. This role offers hands-on experience in program development, arts education, and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare materials, resources, and documentation for Dance eXchange, BalletX’s in-school residency program serving Philadelphia public schools.
- Assist in creating program plans for BalletX’s Open Studio Classes, including curriculum outlines, learning goals, and evaluation tools.
- Research, identify, and help develop strategic partnerships with schools, community groups, and arts organizations throughout Philadelphia.
- Support planning for summer outreach events and community engagement initiatives.
- Help organize and document program data for internal use and partner reporting.
Ideal Candidate
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Interest in education, community engagement, or public-serving arts programs.
- Creative, collaborative, and comfortable working with diverse partners.
Learn more about BalletX at www.BalletX.org. Read about the experiences of BalletX's 2023 SHIP intern, Ayesha Patel, in Penn Today!
Application Procedure
To apply for this or any of the SHIP internships, please follow the instructions at the Summer Humanities Internship Program homepage.