More than 2,500 students have found jobs through the program. (photo courtesy of Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture)

Applications are now open for the L.A. County Arts Internship Program, which will provide 228 university and community college students with paid on-the-job experience in the arts at over 150 nonprofit organizations starting this summer. Applications for interested students are open now.

Now in its 23rd year, the AIP is the largest paid summer internship program in the U.S., and more than 2,500 students have found jobs through the program. Its companion program, the Getty Marrow Multicultural Undergraduate Internship Program, provides internships to museums and visual arts organizations.

AIP interns build their professional skills and connections while completing projects in education, marketing, graphic design, fundraising and production. Host organizations include nonprofits focusing on theater, dance, multimedia, film and social justice through the arts.

“The Arts Internship Program is a win-win,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn said. “For the college students, it’s a paid summer job and an incredible entryway into our local creative economy. For our arts and culture nonprofits, many of which are still reeling from COVID-19 impacts, the interns will be a source of support and sustainability during a summer that’s going to be crucial to the sector’s recovery.”

“For thousands of diverse young people, including many who face barriers to creative jobs in L.A. County, the Arts Internship Program provides salaries, real-world experience and job skills, and pathways to creative careers,” said Kristin Sakoda, director of the Department of Arts and Culture. “Our evaluation tells us again and again of the program’s transformational power, both in its hands-on approach to leadership training and in its cohort model, which encourages peer networking and support among next generation arts leaders.”

Current undergraduate students and students graduating between May 1 and Dec. 1 are eligible to apply. Applicants must be residents of schools that are located in L.A. County, and they cannot be previous AIP participants. Eligible students of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

To apply, visit lacountyarts.org/ internships.