# Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships The Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (CFCH) - producer of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives - offers internships that are explicitly "available to high school students, undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as non-students." Placements run in virtual, hybrid, or in-person (Washington, DC) formats, so high schoolers anywhere in the US can complete a fully remote Smithsonian internship. Stipends are available on some placements. ## What You'll Do - Contribute to research and production for the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Support Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the Rinzler Archives, educational outreach, or cultural sustainability research and programs - Work 8-16 weeks, either part-time (16-24 hours/week) or full-time (32-40 hours/week), guided by CFCH staff mentors - Build skills in folklore, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, design, media, and museum work ## Who Should Apply High school students with strong interests in culture, music, history, writing, or museum careers. Apply through the Smithsonian's online academic appointment system (SOLAA) with an essay, resume, transcript, and recommendation. Summer internship applications are due March 1 each year; applications for fall, winter, and spring sessions are accepted any time but must be complete at least six weeks before the internship start date. ## Outcomes Interns leave with mentored Smithsonian project experience, a professional portfolio contribution, and - for some placements - a stipend.