Arts and Culture Planning Intern

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council seeks an Arts and Culture Planning Intern for MAPC's Arts & Culture Department. The Arts & Culture Department is a team of planners and artists dedicated to engaging arts and culture in promoting equity, smart growth and livability. The Arts and Culture Planning Intern will assist planners with research, writing, design work, mapping, and/or data collection that enhances the planning and policy priorities of the Department. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of urban planning or community development and have prior experience working with artists and/or arts and cultural organizations. Awareness of arts and cultural policy topics is a plus. The Arts and Cultural Planning Intern will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of research and planning projects, build new connections, and contribute to the development of exciting projects and partnerships. The Intern will report to the Arts & Culture Planner II, a member of the department’s six-person team. MAPC’s Arts & Culture Department is one of the first efforts nationwide to advance arts, culture and heritage to build a more sustainable and equitable future through regional planning.       

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development, regional collaboration, and fostering an equitable and resilient region.  We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 100 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

Interns will be working remotely and are not expected to come into the office regularly.  Candidates must reside in Massachusetts while they are working remotely. 

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support a wide range of ongoing arts and culture planning and artist- engaged projects managed and staffed by the Arts & Culture Department.  
• Research and write about topics such as cultural facilities, creative community development, cultural economic development, equitable historic preservation, arts and cultural organizations, and cultural districts.  
• Collect and support analysis of qualitative and quantitative arts and culture data through field work, surveys, or other methods. 
• Research local, state and federal policies pertaining to arts and cultural uses, permitting procedures pertaining to arts and cultural activities, and other topics as needed.  
• Design and develop outreach materials and new tools for data collection and analysis.  
• Communicate by phone and email with municipal staff and community partners as needed, and perform other duties as needed. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for this position must be currently enrolled as a student. 

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

• Knowledge of principles and practices related to arts and cultural policy and planning. Topic areas may include: creative community development, arts-based engagement, cultural economic development, tourism, urban design, public art, historic preservation, gentrification and displacement, arts and housing, cultural facilities, arts and climate, and social equity. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, Publisher). 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in written form, with municipal staff, arts and cultural organizations, and the general public. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills.  
• Detail oriented with a strong commitment to high quality work. 
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently. 

Preferred:

• Experience with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite. 
• Experience working with data sets from federal, state, and local agencies. 
• Experience with coordinating and managing community events.  
• Experience with creative communication tools including video and photography. 
• Demonstrated innovative, strategic, and analytical capabilities. 

Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including up to date boosters.  MAPC will consider reasonable extensions or accommodations as required by law.

Only candidates currently enrolled in an academic program will be considered for this position.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 

Compensation and Benefits: 

This is a paid internship with an hourly rate of $ 18.00 - $22.00, depending on qualifications. We are seeking 10 - 20 hours per week, with flexibility. To qualify as an intern, individuals must be enrolled in an academic program, provide written verification of their status, and agree to a scheduled end date upon hire. The intern will provide their own laptop or computer for the purpose of completing the above work. Work will be conducted remotely. 

How to Apply: 

Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. 

MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.