Thank you for your interest in a summer internship at Sitar Arts Center!
Sitar offers four distinct internship programs over the summer:
Please go to our website to read the descriptions of all Sitar summer internships and their requirements before applying.
All Internship Applications Due: Monday, March 16, 2026.
Completing an application does not guarantee a spot in the program or an interview. If selected to move forward, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.
The application should be completed by the prospective intern. This application will ask for information that you may have to collect or locate (ie. social security number, video essay, work samples). You will be able to save your progress and continue at a later time.
S.E.A.L. Camp Classroom Assistant
IMPORTANT: DC interns are paid through the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. Interns from PG County are paid through the Summer Youth Enrichment Program. Sitar acts as a host site so all interns who are looking to get paid must complete the:
DC MBSYEP application (due March 5)
PG SYEP application (due March 31)
S.E.A.L. Musical Theatre Interns
S.E.A.L. Mural Artists
DC MBSYEP application (March 5)
Bloomberg Arts Internship (FAI)
Priority Deadline for BAI: Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, February 17, 2026 for priority consideration. BAI Interview offers will be sent on a rolling basis after this date.
Application Deadline for BAI: March 16, 2026. After this date, applications will only be reviewed if additional interns are needed.
Internship positions may include in person or hybrid options dependent on the requirements of each job site. Interns will report to their internships three days a week and will have two days of professional development and/or college prep. Typical work hours will be between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will be some special events that occur before or after those times.
Reminder: You MUST complete your application to SYEP by the deadline to be a paid intern at Sitar Arts Center this summer.
To what degree are you interested in each of the following art forms? Please rank your level of interest in each on the scales below.
Mural intern applicants are REQUIRED to submit a portfolio. Your portfolio submission should include between three to five images/samples. Your portfolio should reflect your level and knowledge in the art form. File should be uploaded as a JPG, PNG, or PDF file.
Musical Theatre applicants interested in ACTING are REQUIRED to submit a video audition.
Audition:
In your video, please introduce yourself, the name of your song and monlogue before performing. Please be sure that your video includes at least 3/4 of your body.
You must submit your video as a link to either a private YouTube or Vimeo video OR as a Google Drive File. Please ensure that your permissions are shared with 'anyone with the link'
Musical Theatre applicants interested in Assistant Directing, Production, or Stage Management are REQUIRED to submit a resume and samples of their work.
Resume:
Work Samples
A video essay is required by all S.E.A.L. Internship applicants. Choose only one of the below prompts to answer. Applications with incomplete video essay or applicable portfolio will not be considered.
To submit a video essay, choose from one of the prompts below and record and upload a video file from your device.
Before recording, please make sure:
If you require accommodations for the video essay, please contact Nickole Best at nickole@sitarartscenter.org.
Prompt #1: Explain how the arts have impacted your life. Consider why art is important to you? What has art taught you about yourself, others, and the world? Have you used it as a tool of expression?
Prompt #2: Think of someone who inspires you. This can be someone you know or someone from history or present-day. What are three qualities that stand out about this person and why are these qualities important to have? How would they make the world a better place?
Prompt #3: What is one thing you would change about Washington, DC if you could? What would be important issues you would tackle to change or better? How would you make DC a better city for all? Think about issues that are going on in today’s society or in your neighborhood.
Prompt #4: If you had your own business/organization what would the mission be, who would it serve, and why is this mission important to you? What would you need to make this business/organization a reality?
Please add one personal and one professional reference. A personal reference can be a family member or teacher, etc. A professional reference should be someone that has supervised you at a previous job. If you have not had a previous job, please ask a teacher to be a reference.
Please add contact information for one personal reference. Your character reference should be an adult who can speak to your skills related to the internship experience you are applying for. For instance, if applying for musical theatre or mural, you might ask an art or theatre teacher. If applying for camp classroom assistant, you might select a babysitting client or family member.
Sitar Arts Center’s Summer Internship programs are designed to prepare youth for employment by abiding by basic workplace policies and procedures. As such, interns are expected to behave in a manner that reflects a professional relationship with Sitar’s staff.
Applicants 18 and over must initial and sign below acknowledging they have read the understood the following statements.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that the Sitar Summer Internship is not only an educational opportunity but also a job. As such, hired interns are expected to work their assigned hours for the entirety of the summer program. Excessive tardiness and/or missed work days (regardless of the reason) are grounds for termination. Hours not worked are not paid and there are very few opportunities for making up hours.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that I am responsible for communicating with Sitar staff. Applicants are expected to schedule their interviews, communicate any time conflicts, and respond to emails concerning their internship.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that Sitar records the hours worked by the intern but the payment comes from the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Sitar has no control over receipt of payment therefore any issues with receiving pay should first be directed to SYEP. Sitar will communicate the issues to SYEP as well.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that due to the nature of the internship program, Sitar cannot make changes to an intern’s schedule to accommodate summer school, other programs that the intern may be enrolled in, or vacations scheduled during the summer.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that I, the intern, must read my Sitar contract. By signing the contract, I agree to the job, hours, and pay stated in the contract. I understand that Sitar pays some summer interns, and if so, this will be noted in my contract.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that if I have any questions about the statements above, I must contact Nickole Best at nickole@sitarartscenter.org before the application deadline. Inability to comply with any of the above statements will affect Sitar’s decision to hire the applicant, and affect decisions to rehire for future opportunities.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that Sitar Summer Internships are not only educational opportunities but also a job. As such, hired interns are expected to work their assigned hours for the entirety of the summer program. Excessive tardiness and/or missed work days (regardless of the reason) are grounds for termination. Hours not worked are not paid and there are very few opportunities for making up hours.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that the intern, is responsible for communicating with Sitar staff. Applicants are expected to schedule their interviews, communicate any time conflicts, and respond to emails concerning their internship.
Initial:Applicant's Initials* I understand that due to the nature of the internship program, Sitar cannot make changes to an intern’s schedule to accommodate other obligations unless these obligations are clearly stated in application and interview process.
Initial:Applicant's Initials *I understand that if I have any questions about the statements above, I must contact Nickole Best at nickole@sitarartscenter.org before the application deadline. Inability to comply with any of the above statements will affect Sitar’s decision to hire the applicant, and affect decisions to rehire for future opportunities.
If applicant is 17 years or younger, the guardian must initial below. Both guardian and applicant signatures are required acknowledging you have read and agree to all statements listed below.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that the Sitar Summer Internship is not only an educational opportunity but also a job. As such, hired interns are expected to work their assigned hours for the entirety of the summer program. Excessive tardiness and/or missed work days (regardless of the reason) are grounds for termination. Hours not worked are not paid and there are very few opportunities for making up hours.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that the intern, not parents are responsible for communicating with Sitar staff. Applicants are expected to schedule their interviews, communicate any time conflicts, and respond to emails concerning their internship.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that Sitar records the hours worked by the intern but the payment comes from the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Sitar has no control over receipt of payment therefore any issues with receiving pay should first be directed to SYEP. Sitar will communicate the issues to SYEP as well.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that due to the nature of the internship program, Sitar cannot make changes to an intern’s schedule to accommodate summer school, other programs that the intern may be enrolled in, or vacations scheduled during the summer.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that I, the intern, must read my Sitar contract. By signing the contract, I agree to the job, hours, and pay stated in the contract. I understand that Sitar pays some summer interns, and if so, this will be noted in my contract.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that if I have any questions about the statements above, I must contact Nickole Best at nickole@sitarartscenter.org before the application deadline. Inability to comply with any of the above statements will affect Sitar’s decision to hire the applicant, and affect decisions to rehire for future opportunities.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that the Sitar Summer Internship is not only an educational opportunity but also a job. As such, hired interns are expected to work their assigned hours for the entirety of the six week summer program. Excessive tardiness and/or missed work days (regardless of the reason) are grounds for termination. Hours not worked are not paid and there are very few opportunities for making up hours.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that the intern, is responsible for communicating with Sitar staff. Applicants are expected to schedule their interviews, communicate any time conflicts, and respond to emails concerning their internship.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials* I understand that due to the nature of the internship program, Sitar cannot make changes to an intern’s schedule to accommodate other obligations unless these obligations are clearly stated in application and interview process.
Initial:Parent/Guardian Initials *I understand that if I have any questions about the statements above, I must contact Nickole Best at nickole@sitarartscenter.org before the application deadline. Inability to comply with any of the above statements will affect Sitar’s decision to hire the applicant, and affect decisions to rehire for future opportunities.
Reminder: Applications are due Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Applications sent after this date will only be reviewed as space allows.