Apply for an Internship

Commonwealth Center for the Humanities and Society (CCHS)

Apply for an Internship

The window to apply for Spring 2025 internships has closed. We will announce 2026 internship opportunities in the Fall of 2025.

Partner institutions offer extraordinary resources for research, internships and other learning experiences, such as:

  • Filson Historical Society's collection of 1.5 million original manuscripts
  • The Speed Art Museum's 14,000 works of art
  • The American Printing House for the Blind's two largest libraries on blindness nationally
  • Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing's 300 acres of archaeology-rich land beside the Ohio River
  • Farmington's and Locust Grove's thriving interpretive programs at historic homes.

Internship opportunities at partner institutions have included research on 19th century agricultural economics, a study and exhibition of posters from China's Cultural Revolution, and helping to launch "Unbound," a fiction-reading radio program at Louisville Public Media.

Internship Opportunities for Spring 2025

Title: Trager Family JCC History Wall Research Intern

Site Supervisors: Amy Landon, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Project Summary: Spend the semester helping the Trager Family JCC create a history wall. The internship will provide hands-on experience in research and exhibit development. By working directly with staff at the JCC, interns will learn how to use historical collections to identify themes that will guide the design of an exhibit installation at the Trager Family JCC.

Internship Goals: The intern will report to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at the Trager Family JCC and conduct research to identify compelling stories about the history of the JCC using the Jewish Archives at the Filson, materials at the Trager Family JCC, and with other community members and organizations when needed.

The qualified candidate will assist with the following:

  • Access archival collections to determine scope and content of materials
  • Identify common themes of the collections that can be used to tell the JCC's 135-year history
  • Curate photos and objects with complementary labels to exhibit in the Trager Family JCC

Learning Objectives: The intern will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in the following areas:

  • Historical research
  • Writing, storytelling and exhibit creation
  • Community outreach and oral history collection

Knowledge, Training and Skills:

This internship is ideal for students interested in history, public history, critical and curatorial studies, museum studies, religious studies, and humanities, but also for someone with strong research and writing skills.

The intern will need the ability to work independently, multitask, and be comfortable speaking with community members.

The intern does not need to have prior experience working with archive collections. Attention to detail, the ability to work on a laptop using databases and spreadsheets, and good organizational skills are required along with the ability to work independently.

This position requires being on-site at the Trager Family JCC and around the community and requires working in both typical and atypical office environments.

The project begins January 2025 and runs through April 2025. The internship requires working 8-10 hours per week.

The internship comes with a $500 stipend.

Title: The Portland Museum Operations Intern

Site Supervisor: William Smith, Executive Assistant

Project Summary: The Portland Museum offers a dynamic internship experience focused on art, history, and community engagement. Interns will work closely with Executive Assistant William Smith and the museum's directors, Katy Delahanty and Danny Seim, contributing to a variety of tasks that adapt to the museum's evolving needs. Key responsibilities may include:

  1. Historical Tours & Exhibit Management: Interns will provide guided tours of the museum's historical and rotating art exhibits, assist in maintaining and researching these spaces, and contribute to at least one new exhibition.
  2. Event Planning: Involvement in planning and executing events, including exhibition openings and community celebrations, requiring collaboration with various stakeholders.
  3. Grant Writing & Fundraising: Interns will research and write grants to support the museum's free offerings, guided through the application process.
  4. Community Outreach: Administration of the Portland Anchor Newspaper, including writing articles, engaging with advertisers, and managing subscriptions.
  5. Digital Presence: Support the museum's online presence through social media, promoting events and sharing content, while assisting with visual and written copy.
  6. Project Contribution: Opportunities to engage in larger projects such as oral history recordings, neighborhood archive maintenance, branding revamps, and preparations for the upcoming children's museum.

Internship Goals: The internship at the Portland Museum aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of nonprofit operations, emphasizing adaptability and multitasking in a grassroots environment. Interns will engage deeply with the Portland community, enhancing their awareness of its history and challenges while contributing to exhibit and program development. They will gain valuable skills in grant writing and fundraising, essential for sustaining the museum's free offerings. Additionally, the role will involve strengthening communication skills through the administration of the Portland Anchor Newspaper and managing the museum's digital presence. Overall, interns will cultivate personal and professional growth by fostering resourcefulness, empathy, and creativity in a supportive setting.

Knowledge, Training and Skills: Interns at the Portland Museum should bring a motivated and self-starting outlook, with a willingness to engage in a variety of tasks and learn on the job. While formal training in history or library sciences is not required, a genuine interest in art, history, and community service is essential. Interns should possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and be comfortable working collaboratively with diverse individuals and organizations. An openness to multitasking and handling unexpected challenges is important, as is a basic understanding of the Portland neighborhood and its dynamics. Additionally, qualities such as resourcefulness, empathy, and a proactive attitude in proposing ideas will enhance the internship experience and contribute to the museum's mission.

The project begins January 2025 and runs through April 2025. Students must register for 3-credit hours of internship through their home departments. The internship requires working 8-10 hours per week. At least one on-site shift is required each week for the duration of this internship, to be scheduled with the community partner to meet their needs.

The internship comes with an award of $500 toward tuition.

Title: Louisville Story Program Publication Intern

Site Supervisor: Joe Manning, Deputy Director

Project Summary: The Louisville Story Program is seeking an intern to assist with various publications and community projects aimed at empowering historically underrepresented Louisvillians to share their stories. Intern responsibilities will include conducting historical research, transcribing interviews, and editing interview materials. The intern will also provide publication assistance, manage data entry for a digital archive, and support operations with retail outreach and fulfillment. Additional tasks may involve creating curricula content, evaluating data, identifying media opportunities, and facilitating the distribution of publications to libraries and schools. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with community storytelling and contribute to the program's mission of documenting local narratives from an insider's perspective.

Internship Goals: The internship at the Louisville Story Program aims to empower historically underrepresented Louisvillians by supporting them in sharing their personal narratives, fostering a deeper connection to their communities. Interns will develop practical skills in historical research, interview transcription, and editing while gaining hands-on experience in the publication process, including layout, design, and distribution. They will also enhance their competencies in data management through data entry and evaluation for a digital archive, contributing to the importance of storytelling initiatives. Exposure to nonprofit operations will include retail outreach and fulfillment, along with engaging in curriculum development that connects community stories to broader learning objectives. Additionally, interns will build valuable connections within the literary and nonprofit sectors by identifying media opportunities and facilitating the placement of publications in libraries and schools, all while deepening their understanding of Louisville's social and cultural context.

Knowledge, Training and Skills: Interns at the Louisville Story Program should bring a genuine interest in community storytelling and a commitment to empowering historically underrepresented voices. While specific formal training is not required, skills in historical research, writing, and editing will be beneficial. Strong communication and organizational abilities are essential for tasks such as interview transcription and data entry. Familiarity with digital archiving and publication processes will enhance the intern's contributions, along with an understanding of nonprofit operations. Additionally, a proactive attitude towards learning, creativity in curriculum development, and the ability to engage with diverse communities will be invaluable in supporting the program's mission.

The project begins January 2025 and runs through April 2025. Students must register for 3-credit hours of internship through their home departments. The internship requires working 8-10 hours per week. At least one on-site shift is required each week for the duration of this internship, to be scheduled with the community partner to meet their needs.

The internship comes with an award of $500 toward tuition.

If you have any questions, reach out to:

Emily Ravenscraft
Coordinator, Commonwealth Center for Humanities and Society
Email: