Los Angeles, CA 90007
The Arts Education Intern will shadow and eventually co-lead various Street Poets’ trauma-informed, arts-based youth programming with a focus on facilitation, performance, and artistic development. This internship will culminate in the intern producing and co-hosting a summer youth open mic event, while also completing a personal capstone project in their chosen art form. Through this role, the intern will develop key teaching artist skills, deepen their creative voice, and contribute directly to program culture and community healing at Street Poets’ new South LA center.
Key Responsibilities:
- co-lead and eventually host Street Poets’ “Seeking Peace” writing and meditation circle, learning trauma-informed arts education practices;
- help plan and produce a summer open mic, including outreach, performer prep, and event co-hosting;
- create a personal final project in poetry, music, film, or visual art (e.g., original track, chapbook, short film);
- shadow senior teaching artists in programs like Beats & Rhymes, Poetry in Motion, and Seeking Peace, building mentorship and facilitation skills;
- participate in the Youth Council, shaping programs, space design, and artistic culture of the new Street Poets Center;
- mentor younger youth during workshops and events, modeling artistic risk-taking and community leadership.
Growth & Learning: This role supports the intern’s growth as a teaching artist and youth leader, with real-world experience in community facilitation, program design, and artistic production. Weekly mentor check-ins will explore themes of self-care and creative sustainability in educational spaces. Freedom of Ideas: Interns choose their personal final project medium and help design the youth open mic, bringing their unique voice and creative approach to every step of the process. Deliverables: Co-produce and co-host one public-facing youth open mic. Facilitate at least one full “Seeking Peace” session. Complete one personal creative project to share at final presentation. Present a final reflection on growth as a facilitator and artist.
Additional duties and activities for both Interns may include: Serve as representatives on Street Poets’ Youth Council, helping shape programming, advise on youth space design, and lead feedback efforts. Help create program evaluations that speak to youth perspectives (using emojis, authentic language, and open-ended questions), gathering both qualitative and quantitative data. Conduct peer interviews and listening sessions to gather authentic youth reflections and ideas — both to assess Street Poets’ impact and to co-design youth-led solutions for future programs and storytelling. Support light administrative and operational tasks: organizing art kits and merchandise, helping with mailings, managing inventory of books and creative materials. Assist with organizing and designing Street Poets' youth library and creative spaces, ensuring they reflect youth voices and needs. Attend staff meetings, creative planning sessions, and weekly check-ins with their mentor supervisor for ongoing learning and support.
Street Poets Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization that harnesses the healing power of poetry and music to break cycles of violence, transform lives, and build intergenerational creative communities in Los Angeles. We work with system-impacted and underserved youth across the city through workshops, performances, recording sessions, mentoring, retreats, and open mics — all rooted in self-expression, cultural connection, and community healing.
To apply, please email your resume and a short cover letter sharing why you’re interested in this internship to admin@streetpoetsinc.com with the subject line “2026 Internship Application – [Your Name]”. Experience can include work experience, high school clubs, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or supporting your family — we value all forms of leadership and responsibility. If you have creative work to share — like a poem, video, or graphic you made — feel free to include it. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.