Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships

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.

How much does Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships cost?

We have not verified what Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships costs. Our catalog holds no confirmed price for it, and an unpriced entry means exactly that — unpriced, not free. Check the official site before assuming either way.

Who is eligible for Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships?

Our catalog has Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships open to high school students in grades 9–12, unconfirmed against the program's own page — check it before you rule yourself in or out, since eligibility is often narrower than a grade range suggests (age floors, "must have completed" rules, enrolment status).

Is Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships online or in person?

Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships is fully online — students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.

How do I apply to Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships?

Apply directly through Smithsonian Institution's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.