Environmental Art and Art Education Summer Intern NYC - Unpaid

Requirement for All Applicants:

Can you please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io and follow the instructions below?

• Motivation & Fit: Briefly describe what is the most exciting aspect for you about potentially joining the More Gardens Fund's summer projects, such as the Sprouting Justice LES & Rise Up! Green the Bronx?
• Engaging Youth in Environmental Issues: What do you believe is key to making what you bring to the playing field engaging and meaningful for young people (ages 8-13) from diverse backgrounds?
• Please include a link (or attach documents) to your:
• *Resume - required
• Website
• Portfolio
• Writings
• Other

Company Overview More Gardens! Fund is a New York City-based community organization that blends public art, activism, and environmental education to advocate for and preserve urban community gardens. Centering and empowering BIPOC residents who are disproportionately affected by environmental racism, the organization aims to transform public thoroughfares and community gardens into vibrant, sustainable ecosystems.

Key Summer 2026 Initiatives

• Sprouting Justice & The Magical Earth Advocates Summer Nature Program (Lower East Side): An Open Streets program that activates the block in front of the Children's Magical Garden, transforming public thoroughfares into safe, joyful spaces for community celebration, creative expression, and pollinator-focused education.
• Rise Up! Green the Bronx (South Bronx): Brings environmental education and hands-on art programming to the Maria Sola Therapeutic Community Garden, utilizing functional, biomorphic living willow sculptures to empower local children and families as neighborhood land stewards.

Summer 2026 Timeline & Schedule

• Duration: June 11 – August 23, 2026 (Full-time)
• June & July Weekly Schedule:
• Wednesday and Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• August Weekly Schedule:
• Wednesday through Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Job Description: Develop and execute culturally relevant and accessible environmental workshops and educational activities for:

• Sprouting Justice, an Open Street program in the Lower East Side that opens up the block in front of the Children's Magical Garden for people and activities during the end of June through July (food justice, recycling, art, music), addressing environmental justice issues impacting marginalized communities. We will also help run a new summer camp at Children's Magical Garden, the Magical Earth Advocates Summer Nature Program : Pollinator Project, in the 2nd/3rd week of July.
• In August, we'll be running the Rise Up! Green the Bronx! Program at the Maria Sola Therapeutic Community Garden with culturally responsive, accessible nature education and greening projects that empower children aged 8-13 and their families to become tree stewards and to understand the role of urban trees in mitigating asthma and extreme heat.

The June 9th through 18 Intern Training will cover principles of environmental justice, culturally responsive pedagogy, and accessible workshop design. Assist with research, material preparation, and create inclusive learning environments.

Responsibilities :

• Participate in June training sessions on environmental justice frameworks, inclusive teaching methods, and adapting environmental topics for diverse audiences.
• Research and develop engaging, culturally relevant workshop content on food justice, recycling, environmental art, and the magic of nature music.
• Prepare workshop materials and ensure they are accessible to individuals with diverse learning needs.
• Facilitate workshops and educational activities during the Sprouting Justice events in July to create inclusive, welcoming spaces.
• Assist with planning and implementing nature education activities for the Rise Up Green the Bronx program, incorporating culturally relevant approaches.
• Support children and families in hands-on greening projects at Maria Sola Therapeutic Community Garden.
• Document the progress of the installations through photography and/or videography, paying attention to the diverse individuals involved.
• Assist with the installation and maintenance of the outdoor installation structures during the internship.
• Photo and video documentation.
• Social media savvy.

Qualifications:

• Strong interest in environmental issues and community education.
• DEI proficiency
• Solid research and organizational skills.
• Enthusiasm for public engagement and facilitating interactive learning experiences.
• Understanding of environmental justice principles and the diverse learning needs of community members.
• Ability to adapt information and activities to be culturally relevant and accessible.
• Individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Creative, playful, and resourceful with a willingness to learn.

About Us, More Details:

Inspired by the idea that "this is where the party's at," we strive to create irresistible experiences that draw people together, open hearts and minds to diverse perspectives, and inspire collective action for a more just and sustainable future. This is achieved through:

• Joy as a powerful catalyst for change: Engaging people through captivating and enjoyable experiences, whether on our streets or within community gardens, is the most effective way to break down barriers and foster empathy, especially when these experiences are culturally relevant and celebratory of diverse traditions.
• Art transcending boundaries: Music, visual arts, and performance, especially when rooted in the creativity and experiences of most people of color, have the unique ability to communicate across cultures and identities, fostering understanding and shared humanity. This includes using art to educate and engage youth in environmental stewardship.
• Environmental stewardship is integral to community well-being: Celebrating and activating spaces like the Children's Magical Garden and Maria Sola Therapeutic Community Garden reinforces the vital connection between people and nature within our urban environment. We recognize the historical and ongoing leadership of BIPOC communities in environmental justice movements and strive to build upon this legacy.
• Diverse voices enriching our city: Centering the experiences and creativity of most people of color, musicians, artists, activists, and environmentalists from New York City strengthens our collective power and ensures that solutions are equitable and community-led.
• Public spaces for the people: Reclaiming and reimagining our Open Streets and community gardens as vibrant hubs of creativity, community engagement, and environmental learning is a powerful act of neighborhood empowerment and a celebration of the diverse cultures that make our city unique.
• Truth resonating through experience: While our primary aim is to create engaging and joyful events, we believe that these experiences can organically lead to deeper understanding and a confrontation with significant social and environmental truths, particularly concerning the lived experiences and leadership of the majority of people of color in addressing environmental injustices. This includes educating the next generation about the links between urban ecology and public health, as seen in "Rise Up! Green the Bronx."