Intern with DITA
A Career in the Arts Starts Here
The Diversity in the Arts Internship Program (DITA) is set to help you get your foot in the door, your face in the crowd, and your career off the ground. DITA is building a cohort of diverse arts and culture interns that will learn from and support the many art and culture nonprofits who are committed to faithfully representing the diverse Denver metro community. Our program is a long-term approach to inclusiveness and equity that will not only welcome diverse students but greatly enhance the overall health of all of our art and culture organizations for everyone.
What Does Interning with DITA Look Like?
Our 10-week internship program runs over the summer. Interns work directly for our host organizations and receive practical experience in the arts and culture community. Operating as a cohort, interns attend workshops organized by DITA, form relationships with professionals in our community, and oversee shared learning experiences with their fellow interns
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Interns will be expected to complete two formal questionnaires over the course of the program (guideline provided by DITA) as well as attend an orientation and an exit interview with the Program Administrator. Interns have the option of presenting a DEI proposal to their internship location at the end of the summer.
Host sites are carefully selected from a pool of applicants by the DITA team who will pay each intern Denver's minimum hourly wage. Interns will work no more than 40 hours a week, including approximately 5 hours of DITA learning requirement hours per week. DITA Learning Requirements, orientation, and exit interviews are paid hours.
2025 Host Sites
Coming soon!
Affiliate Host Sites
Coming soon!
Eligibility Requirements
Participation in this program is only open to students that meet all of the following requirements:
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Students currently enrolled in college, or graduating Spring 2026, with a minimum of one year of college coursework completed.
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Students holding a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
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Students with an interest, background, and/or major in the arts and/or culture.
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Students who come from a traditionally underrepresented population in the arts.
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Priority will be given to undergraduate students.
Applications will open January 6, 2025
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What are the dates of the internship?The 2025 internship will run from Monday, June 2 to Friday, August 8 (interns participate in an all-day orientation on Monday, June 2).
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How many hours is the internship?The internship is intended to be a 40-hour work week. However, the interns will also be attending paid DITA Learning Requirement events over the course of the summer, totaling from 2.5 to 5 hours each week. Expect your intern to be in the office approximately 35 hours a week.
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How will the interns be paid?Host sites will be required to pay interns Denver minimum wage as regular employees. Each host site will receive a grant from DITA based on their organization's full-time equivalent, covering some portion of the intern wages. Placing the intern on your payroll will also include payroll taxes which will vary from organization to organization.
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How large will my organization's grant be?The portion of the intern's wages covered by the grant is dependent on your organization's FTE. Please see the following scale: 1-3 FTEs will receive a grant of $6000 4-12 FTEs will receive a grant of $5500 13-20 FTES will receive a grant of $4500 Over 20 FTEs will receive a grant of $3000
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What does DITA look for in a Host Site?When reviewing Host Site applications, the DITA team is searching for positions that provide interns with practical experience in the arts & culture nonprofit field. An emphasis on DEI work or the inclusion of DEI-focused projects are a beneficial inclusion in the intern's proposed job description. From an organizational standpoint, DITA is looking for Host Sites that want to further their ongoing DEI work. An organization that is at the beginning of their DEI journey is not a good fit for the program.
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Does DITA have any application tips?We do! Read the application prior to starting it so you have all required documents ready. Have an intern supervisor selected and informed about the program before completing the application. Provide intern supervisor with a copy of your application if they are not completing it themself. Create an internship position that can excite DITA intern applicants: Make sure your position focuses on providing practical hands-on experience in your organization’s mission Intern applicants love positions where they can experience more than one department. Are you planning to adjust the position based on your intern’s interests? Indicate that clearly on the job description. Interested in interns who have specialized skills like speaking a second language or graphic design? Indicate that interest clearly on the job description. Note: DITA interns are college students and should not be expected to perform a job that heavily relies on a specialized skillset and advanced training outside of your organization.
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What are the eligibility requirements for interns?The program is open to students currently enrolled with at least one full year of college coursework completed and recent college graduates (Spring 2023). Although graduate students are not ineligible for the program, priority is given to undergraduate students. Students will need to have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, a background or demonstrated interest in the arts/culture, and a professional reference. Additionally, all of our interns will be from traditionally underrepresented communities in the arts (including race, disability, gender, etc.).
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How will interns be placed with host organizations?After reviewing the applications, our selection committee will conduct interviews with any applicants who we believe will be a good fit for the program. Interns will be matched with host entities based on the needs of the organization as well as the intern's personality. Each organization will have a chance to speak with the proposed intern, review their application, and request a different intern if it is deemed necessary. We will not be placing any interns that do not meet the needs/requirements of the host organization.
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What if I can't attend orientation?Host site orientation is mandatory for all participating organizations. At least one representative of your organization must be available to attend in order to be accepted into the program. Host site orientation for the 2025 program will take place on May 16.