Culture Corps connects U-M undergraduates with paid internships at arts and culture organizations across Michigan focusing on Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids.

Culture Corps matches U-M undergraduate students to paid internships at arts and culture organizations in Southeast Michigan after taking a mini-course. Its goals are to encourage and expose students interested in arts and humanities majors to career pathways, to encourage students who might not know how to get started in arts and culture careers, and to support a breadth of SE Michigan art and culture organizations with a consistent group of paid students.

  • Most internships are up to 20 hours/week for 15–16 weeks.

  • Hourly pay is $18, and transportation costs are reimbursed.

1

Join the Program
September–February

Request to join Culture Corps by emailing Program Lead, Alison Rivett at alibyrne@umich.edu.

2

Two-Credit Mini-Course
March–April

You'll take AmCult 377: Culture Corps for foundational knowledge & skills. Preparation starts after winter break.

3

Internship & Check-ins
May–August 

You'll work at your internship over the summer, meeting with your intern cohort throughout, to share your experiences & learn from your peers.

Why were you interested in an arts & culture internship?

What is a day in your internship like?

What is something new you have learned?

What has been a favorite Culture Corps moment?

Partnering Host Organizations

Interested in becoming a host organization? Contact artsinitiative@umich.edu to learn more.

History

The Humanities Collaboratory Equity Initiative supported a research phase of Culture Corps over the summer of 2021, to determine best practices for establishing relationships with internship hosts, the types of structures that promote quality experiences for students, and the historic trajectories that have shaped arts institutions' values and affecting their ability to attract a diverse staff.

Request a pdf of the full Culture Corps report by emailing artsinitiative@umich.edu.