2027 Government Affairs Internship
Washington, DC, DC
Internship
Government Affairs
Student (High School)
Government Affairs Internship
Reports to: Public Policy Manager Team: Government Affairs
FLSA Status: Full-time, Hourly, Non-Exempt Employment Type: Student Intern
Session: Spring (mid-January – early April) Location: DC Based
Session: Spring (mid-January – early April) Location: DC Based
Pay Rate: $18.40 per hour. – This internship is intended for educational benefit; we support receiving school credit for participation.
Application Deadline: The application portal will close on Nov 30, 2026, 3:00 pm ET.
Who We AreApplication Deadline: The application portal will close on Nov 30, 2026, 3:00 pm ET.
Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading arts advocacy organization. We mobilize advocates, produce trusted research, and secure bipartisan wins that protect funding and expand arts access nationwide — work we've been doing for more than 65 years. We advance the people, organizations, and systems supporting arts and culture across America through advocacy, research, and national convening. We envision a nation where freedom of creative expression is upheld as a fundamental human right, where arts and culture are woven into the fabric of civic life, resourced in every community, and accessible to everyone.
About the Team
The Government Affairs team is a fast-paced team focused on advancing the interest of arts and arts education at the federal, state, and local levels. This is achieved through education and advocacy of elected officials, key decision makers, state and local arts agencies, arts organizations, artists, and the public at large.
The Government Affairs team is led by the Chief Government Affairs Officer (CGAO) and includes a Senior Director of Advocacy and Partnerships, a Senior Director of Public Policy, and Manager of Public Policy. We are ready to support a spring intern who has a desire to learn more about arts advocacy, government and the legislative process, and how non-profit organizations operate.
About the Position
The Government Affairs Intern will work in tandem with the Government Affairs team, to learn about and uplift the mission and activities of AFTA. The Intern will contribute significantly to the arts and culture field. This position will engage with various projects and have tangible opportunities to contribute to a variety of arts and culture and arts education advocacy and policy work.
Key Responsibilities
Assisting the Government Affairs team in policy and advocacy work:
- Contribute to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 annual federal appropriations process by preparing external materials for the arts and culture field to utilize, working directly with the Public Policy Manager to educate the arts and culture field about the importance of submitting formal appropriations requests, and supporting the evaluation of this work.
- Assist in the preparation of materials and planning for Congressional visits, which might include Washington, DC based Legislative Fly-In based on congressional calendar and advocacy needs.
- Use data and research reports to write briefs, Member of Congress profiles, and other team documents. Accompany team to congressional offices to lobby on arts and advocacy issues.
- Engage with State and District Captains to advance shared goals and learn more about their organizations.
- Support partnership and policy initiatives across teams to move organizational goals and objectives forward.
- Update existing team resource documents, conduct original research on policy impacts, and support webinars on an as-needed basis.
- Provide administrative and research support across various projects. Collaborate with the Government Affairs team on strategy and advocacy for the 120th Congress.
Candidates are encouraged to apply, even if they do not possess all the experience and skills listed:
- A commitment to advancing the AFTA mission, with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and a passion for arts, public policy, and non-profit advocacy.
- A desire to understand arts advocacy, government and the legislative process, government affairs work, and how non-profit organizations operate.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with experience in research and policy writing.
- Possess attention to detail, adaptability, and a strong sense of ownership of one’s work.
- Eagerness to ask questions and gain an understanding of organization and team specific programs and processes.
- An independent self-starter with the ability to anticipate needs and next steps.
Eligibility:
- High school graduates, current college students, mid-career professionals, and those looking to transition to a new career field in the arts and culture ecosystem.
- Must be eligible to work in and reside within the United States
- Must be located in the Washington, DC area; available to work between 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday (37.50-hour work week) and commit to participating for the full 12 weeks program.
- The program is scheduled to run for a 12-week period. We anticipate the program to begin mid-January and conclude early April.
- There is the potential for flexibility in the start and end dates, depending upon the ideal candidate and team needs.
- This internship is DC-Based. Interns are strongly encouraged to work from the office with the team based on course schedule, with at least 15 hours (2 days) spent working from our DC office.
- We have a 7.50-hour day Monday - Friday, for a total of 37.50 hours work week.
- You will be provided with a laptop and other equipment in support of the internship.
- In person dress code is business casual.
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