Spring 2027 Public Programs (Paid) Intern

Description

Internship: Public Programs (Paid)

For application deadlines and internship dates, please visit: Countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships.

Museum Overview: Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music,” celebrated for its broad cultural impact, educational mission, and unrivaled collection of historically important artifacts. Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964, the Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that documents and interprets the history of country music. The Museum collects objects and archival materials that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions. 

First opened in 1967 on Nashville’s Music Row, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched its current downtown location in 2001. In 2014, the Museum unveiled a $100 million expansion that doubled its footprint. The Museum now encompasses 350,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded. In addition, the Museum offers the Taylor Swift Education Center for students, teachers, and families, and dedicated performance spaces in the CMA Theater and Ford Theater, both of which regularly host nationally recognized live music and cultural events.

In 2024, the Museum was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden. The medal is the highest award given to artists and arts institutions by the United States government. The White House Citation, which accompanied the medal, recognized the Museum’s work, which “preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story.”

Internship Program Overview: The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum offers paid internships to full-time college students (undergraduate and graduate) that advance the educational goals of the intern and help to promote the Museum’s mission. The Museum’s internship program offers work-based learning opportunities that introduce college students to museum-related careers and other professions found in large cultural organizations. Internships are designed for a maximum commitment of 25 hours per week for 12 weeks with consideration given to individual university requirements. Additional adjustments to the 12-week, 25-hour schedule will be at the discretion of the internship supervisor. Educational programs which operate on a quarterly basis may be accommodated. Motivated students who are seeking hands-on experiences in a team-oriented environment will find excellent opportunities at the Museum.

The application process for prospective interns includes the submission of:

• An online application for the specific internship you are applying for via our internal hiring system
• A resume
• A one-page cover letter; it is recommended that your cover letter explain how your education and experience will contribute positively to this internship and how this internship relates to your academic pursuits and/or career goals

What We Offer Interns:

• The hourly rate for this position is $15/hr. for students pursuing a bachelor's degree; $18/hr. for students pursuing a master's degree or higher
• Free 24/7 downtown parking or WeGo bus pass
• Complimentary admission to the Museum for yourself
• Two complimentary Museum admission passes for friends and family use
• Free guided tour of Hatch Show Print, Historic RCA Studio B, and the Museum’s galleries
• Discounts at Museum stores and restaurants 
• Free or discounted entry to local venues including: National Museum of African American Music, the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and more! 
• Fun, friendly, and supportive learning environment

Field Forward Stipend: Field Forward is a living and relocation stipend, offered to select candidates in addition to the paid internship, that supports students who identify as traditionally underrepresented in cultural arts careers and students with demonstrated financial need. Field Forward’s goals are to encourage diverse student engagement with the Museum and the broader museum field and to promote educational and professional experience and training to students historically underrepresented in museum and other cultural arts professions. Students must submit an additional application and demonstrate financial need (if applicable) to be considered. To learn more, including important deadlines, please visit: Countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships.

Departmental Overview: The Museum Services department is responsible for the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s collections, exhibitions, and editorial content. In direct support of the Museum’s mission statement, we preserve and protect the Museum’s collections using best practices while incorporating emerging technologies to provide access to these collections and ensure the histories of our collections and the artists associated with them are recorded for the future and reported to the public accurately. Within Museum Services, there are teams of registrars, collections specialists, librarians, archivists, exhibit managers, curators, and writers.

Public Programs Internship Overview: Housed within the Museum Services department, Public Programs is responsible for educating varied audiences about country music through events that target adult audiences. The goal of the Public Programs internship is to gain experience in planning and executing a range of programs intended to educate adult audiences about country music. These programs may include live interviews and performances, concerts, film screenings, and other educational offerings. Under the guidance of the Public Programs team, the intern will learn to help prepare for and facilitate these programs, communicate with Museum visitors and program performers, and write various program support materials. The intern will also undertake administrative duties, attend team meetings, research, and brainstorm ways to support future programming, assist with select online content, and help facilitate other Education or non-public events as needed.

Specific Internship Duties:

Weekly Tasks:

• Research and write introductions for select programs
• Curate house music playlists for select programs
• Write program entries for web calendar as needed
• Review the web calendar for accuracy and report any inconsistencies
• Assist with “day-of-show” program management
• Artist and production tasks: set-up, escorting performers, taking detailed notes, and other tasks
• Guest and audience service tasks: managing guest lists, scanning tickets as needed, and fielding questions from Museum visitors
• Participate in department meetings

Ongoing Tasks:

• Research exhibit themes for corresponding programs
• Brainstorm and research program ideas
• Maintain digital records and reports
• Suggest edits to repackage recorded programs as digital content as needed
• Assist with program clip selection for social media as needed

Special Tasks:

• Lead one weekend of regular programs from advancing with the performers to writing and delivering the introductions in front of the audience

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Currently enrolled, credit-seeking, and/or degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student

Preferred Requirements:

• Seeking a degree in education, music, museum studies, event management, or related field
• Customer service experience 
• An interest in country music, or willingness to learn

Conditions of Internship:

• Must be able to work weekends (although weekend hours are required, some of our special programs occur outside of typical Museum hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT), so a flexible schedule is ideal for the intern to gain the most experience with a variety of programs) 
• Lift 25 lbs. or less 

Note to Applicant:

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively providing opportunities for all employees of all backgrounds the skills, experience, and information necessary to succeed. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-Verify processes, as required for position.

Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, hiring managers will only contact candidates they are interested in scheduling for an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application.

Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for the position.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/careers.