Volunteer and Internship Opportunities

Volunteer:

ArteEast thrives on the support of its dedicated volunteers. We offer an array of opportunities, including program planning, collateral distribution, research, print coordination, Web management and more. 

 


The ArteEast internship program is structured to coordinate applicants' interests, backgrounds and schedules with the needs of our organization. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide financial assistance, housing, or stipends. We do offer interns invaluable work experience within a major international arts organization, and free access to all ArteEast programs during the internship period.


We look forward to having you on board!

Intern Program:
ArteEast, an organization dedicated to promoting the visibility of the arts and cultures of the Middle East in the United States, is looking for a Social Media Intern, Curatorial Intern, Development/Fundraising & Communications intern, and Web Development & Programming Intern.


Film Library Intern
Overview:
The intern will have the opportunity to be involved in the management and development of an extensive library of films from the Middle East & North Africa under the supervision of the Film Programs Director
Responsibilities: 
• Regularly updating the library with new works and identifying new opportunities and partnerships for archive expansion and development
• Developing and updating necessary guides and manuals for library maintenance and management
• Identifying deficiencies with the current library management system, proposing solutions and implementing them
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the library including data entry, responding to screener requests, shipping and tracking exhibition copies
• Insuring proper storage and archiving conditions for tapes, DVD’s and digital files
• Researching good case practices in similar organizations
• Working with other members of the team to help creating the online version of the library
• Developing and promoting the library services
• Augmenting the film library with new books and publications

Skills & Experience:
• Excellent organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Passion for library management and development
• Interest in film and the Middle East
• Ability to multitask
• Excellent communication skills
• Arabic and/or French is a plus

The schedule is flexible with a 10 to 15 hour a week commitment required (minimum). Some work from home possible. Internship is unpaid. 



Application Instructions:
Please send cover letter and résumé to shawky@arteeast.org with the subject line:Film Library Intern. 




Arthouse Cinema Network Intern
Overview:
The intern will work closely with the coordinator of the Network of Arab Arthouse Screens (NAAS), a newly established network of independent art-house cinemas and cultural institutions united by the common goal to develop cinema culture across the Arab world by bringing the best of local, regional and world cinema to our large combined audiences.

Responsibilities:
• Responsible for gathering content from member organizations, and producing the monthly newsletter
• Regularly updating the news section on the website
• Updating social media accounts with relevant information from within and outside the network
• Producing regular reports with information about member organizations
• Researching potential collaborations with other organizations and good case practices in similar networks/ organizations
• Preparing for virtual and physical meetings and trainings
• Engaging with member organizations to respond to their needs and proposing new ideas for the development of the network

Skills & Experience:
• Excellent organizational skills
• Passion for independent film and arthouse cinema
• Interest in learning about film and cinema culture in the Middle East
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Excellent Arabic and/or French is a huge plus

The schedule is flexible with a 10 to 15 hour a week commitment required (minimum). Some work from home possible. Internship is unpaid. 


Application Instructions:
Please send cover letter and résumé to shawky@arteeast.org with the subject line: Arthouse Cinema Network Intern. 




Photography, Film and Digital Media Intern
Overview:
Internship periods: June-Sep / Oct-Dec / Jan-May
This intern will work under the Artistic Director and will be responsible for filming/photographing/audio recording ArteEast public events and produce podcasts that correspond to these events.
The intern will also help manage our photo library, edit and prepare photographs so that they are ready to be included in digital and print media promotional materials
This position will be responsible for production duties and requires outstanding communication with a small staff working toward multiple deadlines. The successful candidate must be a self-starter and thrive in a collaborative work environment.
This position will provide intimate and unique access to institutions and artists in the arts field. Depending on the experience and availability of the applicant, there will also be opportunities to disseminate this content on Arab satellite television.
ArteEast will provide the necessary camera and recording equipment as well as use of a desktop Apple computer.

Responsibilities:
• Coordinating with staff to record events/programs
• Film and Edit audio/video recordings for cohesion and clarity
• Manage podcast production plan, and monthly podcast publication on the site
• Turn recordings into quality podcasts for publication on the site
• Assist in conducting preliminary research on upcoming artists/ curators/ filmmakers and programs
• Upload content to the website and disseminate on facebook and social media platforms
• Assist Artistic Director to develop plans for monthly production of podcast content
• Assist with preparation of show material (audio, text, photograph) for online use
 
Skills & Experience:
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator required
• Careful attention to detail
• Organizing skills – ability to organize and complete projects
• Web skills and experience
• Strong communication skills, both writing and speaking
• Ability to think independently and problem solve
• Ability to take initiative
 
Plusses:
• The photography intern should have earned or be currently pursuing a degree in photography or film.
• Proficiency in Arabic, French, Farsi, Kurdish, Turkish languages
• While our needs will vary over time, volunteers should be willing to ensure the production of at least one podacast per month (Time estimate: 6 hours / month). We will credit you for your work on the site.
 
 
Social Media Intern
Overview:

ArteEast seeks web 2.0 and media-savvy interns to increase the organization’s web presence and advertise our programming. The intern will be responsible for monitoring the news for stories relevant to ArteEast’s work, updating our websites and social media platforms, and developing and implementing creative and strategic advertising campaigns. The Social Media Intern will gain substantive, hands-on experience in media relations, graphic design, and public affairs. Our team is small and tight-knit. We value our interns’ contributions and in return provide a mentoring environment with substantive learning opportunities.



Intern will also support general administrative tasks and organization operations.



Tasks:
• Analyze website analytics (Google, Twitter and Facebook) to provide ArteEast with a snapshot of our web presence
• Developing guerrilla media strategies (utilizing YouTube Channel and other online platforms)
• Offer creative strategies for increasing subscriber count and interactivity online

• Maintain and provide daily updates to Facebook, twitter, and other online social media platforms
• Research the most current social media platforms and offer strategies and recommendations for utilizing them.

Qualifications:
• Highly motivated and extremely proactive
• Strong interest or background in the Middle East and Middle Eastern cinema and arts
• Experience working with desktop publishing and e-mail applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook and Publisher

• (recommended) Proficient in Internet-based communication software, CMS and including Icontact


Location and Hours:
The schedule is flexible with a 10 to 15 hour a week commitment required (minimum). Some work from home possible. Internship is unpaid.


Application Instructions:
Please send cover letter and résumé to nalireza@arteeast.org with the subject line: Web & Social Media Intern. 




Curatorial Intern
Overview:
The Curatorial intern will support the Across Histories Artist Talk Series with researching and providing support for upcoming exhibitions, performances, and events. Interns will be introduced to issues relating to contemporary visual, performing arts, and cinema in the Middle East. They will obtain administrative and curatorial skills by aiding in daily operations, implementing short-term and long-term projects, and providing general support. 



Tasks:


• Researching venues and sites for current and upcoming ArteEast projects
• Tracking upcoming trends and artist works in arts and the Middle East
• Recording and uploading podcasts of artist talks to ArteEast website



Qualifications:


• Highly motivated and extremely proactive
• Strong interest or background in the Middle East and Middle Eastern cinema and arts 

• The individual should be familiar with the key ideas and figures in contemporary art

• Experience working with desktop publishing and e-mail applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook and Publisher

• Proficient in Internet-based communication software, including Icontact
• Ability to work independently or with little supervision
• Ability to multitask and balance multiple projects
• Fluency or proficiency in French and/or Arabic is highly desired but not required


Location and Hours:


The schedule is flexible with a 10 to 15 hour a week commitment required (minimum). Some work from home possible. Internship is unpaid. 



Application Instructions:


Please send cover letter and résumé to nalireza@arteeast.org with the subject line: Curatorial Intern





Development Intern
Overview:

The Development intern should possess an enthusiasm for interacting with a diverse range of people, strong writing skills and the ability to multitask. The intern will provide support to the Director of Development and Communications in planning and coordinating fundraising events, researching funding opportunities. Duties might also involve some communications work, and require facility with social media platforms and design software. 

We are seeking an intern who is eager to delve into actual work and accept a high level of responsibility. Our team is small and tight-knit. We appreciate our interns’ contributions and in return provide a mentoring environment, with hands-on learning opportunities.


Qualifications:
• Excellent written, verbal communications skills; and organizational skills

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications,
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator required
• Attention to detail and ability to manage several projects at once

• Enthusiasm/knowledge/background in the Middle East and the arts as well as fluency or proficiency in Arabic , Farsi, Kurdish,   Turkish or French are desired, but not required

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, work independently, follow directions and complete tasks in an effective manner


Location and Hours:
The schedule is flexible with a minimum 10 to 15 hour a week commitment required. Some work from home possible. Internship is unpaid. 



Application Instructions:


Please send a cover letter and résumé to nalireza@arteeast.org with subject line: Development Intern


Artists Resources and Support Intern
Overview:
The intern will have the opportunity to work on the Opportunities for Artists Service: a key component of ArteEast services that supports artists of the Middle East, North Africa and the diasporas.  It is a unique resource that assembles and disseminates critical details relating to grant deadlines, calls for proposals, festival submission deadlines, workshops, classes and related industry news.

Responsibilities:
• Assist in identifying and conducting preliminary research on arts organization/institutions that provide relevant opportunities to artists from the MENA region
• Assist in expanding ArteEast constituency base comprised of artists, filmmakers and curators
• ArteEast is currently working on a new website!  Intern must be prepared to regularly update both websites- current and      upcoming until the launch.
• Assembling and publishing and e-blast twice monthly
• Promoting service on Facebook and Twitter
• Assist in developing and promoting new initiatives for Opportunities for Artists Service

Skills & Experience:
• Excellent Research and Organizational skills
• Must have attention to detail
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and work independently
• Web skills and experience
• Knowledge of the Arabic language is preferred although not required 
• Strong Interest in Middle Eastern Contemporary art
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

The schedule is flexible with a minimum of 10-15 hours a week commitment required. Internship is unpaid.

Application Instructions:
Please send cover letter and resume to nalireza@arteeast.org with OFA Intern in the subject line.



Literary Editorial Intern
Overview:
This intern will work under the Artistic Director and will be responsible for production duties and requires outstanding communication with a small staff working toward multiple deadlines. The successful candidate must be a self-starter and thrive in a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications:
• Careful attention to detail.
• Organizing skills – ability to organize and complete projects.
• Web skills and experience.
• Strong communication skills, both writing and speaking.
• Ability to think independently and problem solve.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Proficiency in Arabic, French, Farsi, Kurdish, Turkish languages.

ArteEast thrives on the support of its dedicated volunteers. We offer an array of opportunities, including program planning, collateral distribution, research, print coordination, Web management and more.

About our Online Literary Publication: Shahadat is a quarterly online series designed to provide a platform for short-form writing and experimentation in writing by young and underexposed writers from the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). The series features stories, vignettes, reflections, and chronicles in English translation and the original language of Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, or Kurdish. It makes up one quarter of ArteEast’s online programming, the AE Quarterly. Past issues have encompassed topics as far ranging as Arab Hip Hop, and protest signs in Tahrir Square. Alongside short stories translated from Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic.

Shahadat is proud to run two alternating series, and releases four issues a year. The “Contemporary Literature in Translation” series presents contemporary authors in Works are presented in their original language and in translation. Our other series, “Exploring Popular Literature” challenges traditional understandings of “literature” emerging from the Middle East and North Africa by presenting genres of creative production that rely on words and language but which have not typically been studied as literature.

In each issue, we gather texts from a spectrum of writers to challenge the singular status of the artist/author and to encourage a more complex presentation of the Middle Eastern and North African writing for English-speaking audiences.

The current issue features excerpts from best selling Beirut-based author Sahar Mandour and you can find archived issues here.

Location and Hours:
The schedule is flexible with a 10 to 15 hour a week commitment required (minimum). Some work from home possible. Internship is unpaid. 

Application Instructions:
Please send a cover letter and resume to nalireza@arteeast.org with Editorial Internship in the subject line.