Apply Now for 2023 AFC Folklife Internships

The Folklife Internship provides experiences in archival practice, cultural heritage research, and programming, while building participants’ knowledge about ethnographic materials. AFC staff supervise work on projects aligned with the successful applicant’s qualifications and interests. US citizens currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school are invited to apply for consideration, as are community scholars or other individuals with experience working in the heritage sector. Applications are due March 17, 2023.

This program offers participants insights into the environment and activities of the American Folklife Center, which pairs robust cultural programming with the world’s largest ethnographic archive. Interns will be exposed to a broad spectrum of public programs and archives work: artist liaison, production, preservation, reference, access standards, and information management. Depending on the specific project they are assigned, interns will assist staff with coordinating and producing public programs; archival processing of special collections in many different formats; managing digital outreach activities and communications; or supporting reference and research activities. Near the end of their appointment at the Library, the interns will reflect on their projects and experiences by producing a blog post, as well as a presentation for AFC staff.

The starting dates for the 10-week Summer Internship are May 22, June 5, or July 3, 2023, and internship extends for ten weeks from chosen starting date.

#01 – Digital products support: Provide creative and technical assistance for curated digital resources published regularly by the Center. Such products include two podcast series, Folklife Today and America Works, as well as Story Maps, blog posts, or research guides. Responsibilities may include collection research, interpretive writing, digital asset selection, and editing. Examples available here: https://loc.gov/podcasts/ or https://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/storymaps.html.

 #02 – Reference and Researcher Support: Assist reference staff in providing reference services and developing a range of researcher access tools, including subject guides from AFC archival collections using the LibGuide platform. Conduct research using primary and secondary resources for a variety of Library users. Training and support for use of LibGuides will be provided. Find current AFC guides here: https://guides.loc.gov/american-folklife.

#03 – Web archives collection engagement: Work with AFC staff to design a strategy for identifying sites to archive across two web archives managed by the division and engaging potential researchers with the Web Cultures Web Archive digital collection. Responsibilities will include researching the collection, identifying key constituent groups of researchers, identifying collection gaps, developing engagement opportunities, and contributing to communications campaigns using various channels and platforms used by AFC. See the collection here: https://www.loc.gov/collections/web-cultures-web-archive/about-this-collection/.   

#04 – Foodways Research: Support AFC staff in conducting collections research within and beyond the AFC Archive for a large scale multi-year project on food, cooking, and culinary culture as represented in the Library’s holdings. Responsibilities will entail cross-library coordination and exploration of collection materials related to food heritage in the United States; tracking assets and collection materials; helping develop thematic approaches to curation; and drafting interpretive text.

Learn more and apply.