IDEAL: Internship for Diverse and Emerging Arts Leaders
The Internship for Diverse and Emerging Arts Leaders (IDEAL) program contributes to building an equitable future for arts leadership by providing opportunities to undergraduate students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in arts leadership. Each summer, five interns are placed in a paid eight-week internship at Arts Host organizations across Wake County and paired with a mentor from the community. During that time, interns participate in professional development and networking activities as well as build a cohort that will serve as a strong foundation for their growing careers. Selected Arts Host organizations are matched with an eager and passionate student intern, connect with a cohort of local arts organizations and community mentors, have access to a robust calendar of professional development and networking opportunities, and provide an immersive learning experience for their IDEAL intern. This program is fully funded by United Arts.
The IDEAL summer internship program runs for eight weeks in the summer and includes:
- $4,500 pre-tax stipend per intern
- Work placement at an Arts Host organization in Wake County for 24 hours per week for 8 weeks
- Additional professional development activities and networking opportunities
- Individualized mentor pairing in interns’ arts-specific field of interest
- A local cohort that will serve as a strong foundation for interns’ growing careers
- Learn more about the IDEAL internship experience by watching the Information Video for Interns
- The IDEAL 2026 Application for Interns is now open: https://unitedarts.submittable.com/submit/342129/2026-ideal-intern-application
- Application Deadline: February 1st, 2026
For arts organizations interested in participating as Arts Hosts: Info Session for Prospective Arts Hosts
Want to know more about past IDEAL cohorts? Check out the IDEAL Alumni page!
IDEAL 2024 Recap
If you have any additional questions or accessibility requests, please feel free to email Community Arts Coordinator, Kelly Schrader, at [email protected]
Thank you to the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation for sponsoring the 2025 IDEAL Summer Program.
Thanks also to our in-kind sponsors!
Shake Shack
Carolina Ale House
Tazikis
Wegmans
