Programming Intern

Job Description

Job Description

About The Music Center:

As L.A.'s premier performing arts destination, The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident in Los Angeles County. The $80 million non-profit performing arts organization has three divisions: TMC Arts, TMC Ops and TMC Business Services. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming inside The Music Center’s four theatres, which include Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum; on Jerry Moss Plaza; outside at Gloria Molina Grand Park, a 12-acre adjacent green space; and in schools and neighborhoods all over Los Angeles County. TMC Arts presents world-class dance with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, free and low-cost public concerts and events, as well as K–12 arts learning programs, workshops, performances, interactive experiences and special events. TMC Ops manages the theatres, Jerry Moss Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park, which comprise $3 billion in county assets, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. TMC Business Services includes Advancement, Human Resources, Finance, Tech Services, and Marketing and Communications. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil.

Position Summary:

The Music Center is seeking a Programming Intern to support our major summer events produced by The Music Center’s programming division – TMC Arts – including Dance DTLA; a FIFA World Cup Viewing Party; and our Arts Integration Symposium for teachers. The Programming Intern will gain a comprehensive view and hands-on experiences working with fellow Music Center staff and partner organizations to build consensus, plan and produce a range of arts events, with mentorship and guidance from The Music Center’s expert TMC Arts staff. Events the intern will focus on are:

- Dance DTLA, free participatory nights of music and dancing that draws thousands of participants to dance together at Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center each summer. Past events have featured samba, voguing, disco, Afrobeats, Bollywood, and more. Between six and eight events on summer Friday nights are led by different LA-based artists and/or collectives, who teach dance moves across styles and cultures and facilitate communal dancing. The events also feature civically oriented participatory art-making and information sharing with local partners.

- The World Cup Community Watch Party on Jerry Moss Plaza with The Music Center’s Partner Network Initiative members, inviting audiences of all ages to attend and watch the games in a setting that bridges art and sport through cultural activities. With supervision and mentorship, The Programming Intern will assist with the implementation of this co-created event, building relationships with new and long-time Music Center partners, coordinating production needs and marketing assets, and providing support at the events.

- The Music Center's Arts Integration Symposium engages TK-12 educators through experiential sessions led by expert teaching artists in dance, music, theatre, visual and media arts. In this three-day experience, educators work side-by-side with Music Center teaching artists as reflective learners and collaborative partners, forging meaningful connections between the arts and content areas such as English Language Arts, history, science and social-emotional learning. The Programming Intern will assist with developing, producing, and documenting the event, including assisting with the recruitment of participants and schedule of events. Prior to the start of the Symposium, they will register participants, prepare materials workshop materials, and coordinate with teaching artists. During the event they will document activities via photo and/or video, assist with technical issues, and support educators, artists, and staff. Following the event, the Arts Education Intern will help to compile a report on the program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Works closely with The Music Center’s Programming teams to assist with the planning and execution of The Music Center’s summer events
• Provides hands-on assistance during events, assisting with guest experiences, artist support, logistics, and other duties as assigned
• Assists with the creation and distribution of event-related materials
• Provides general support to the Programming team, assisting with scheduling, communication, and other duties as assigned
• Participates in staff meetings and communicates with other Music Center departments and outside vendors and partners

Qualifications:

Internship candidates must: (a) reside in, or attend college within, Los Angeles County; and (b) be currently enrolled in a community college or four-year college/university program. Prospective graduates who will complete their undergraduate degree between May 1, 2026, and December 1, 2026, need not be currently enrolled at the time of the internship. [RG1]

Additional qualifications include:

• Qualified candidates will possess a creative mindset and problem-solving skills and an ability to think critically.
• Strong project management and organizational skills are required, including ability to show initiative, self-start, and effectively communicate information and ideas in a written and verbal format.
• A willingness to learn, grow and collaborate with all colleagues.
• A keen interest in the performing arts, public engagement, and arts education.
• Experience using MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is required

Hourly Pay Rate : $18.87/hr

The intern will work approximately 25 hours per week from June through September 2026 and complete exactly 400 hours of work.

This internship is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture’s Los Angeles Country Arts Internship Program.