About Our Internship Program

We’re so glad you’re considering joining us! At Akropolis, our interns are an important part of our internationally recognized, artist-led organization. You’ll take on real projects that help shape the future of chamber music, build your resume, strengthen your professional network, and you’ll be trusted to contribute in meaningful ways. We want this experience to serve you: to help you grow, explore, and feel seen for what you bring. Whether you're local or remote, we’re excited to meet you and see what we can create together.

About Akropolis
Celebrating their 16th season as “a sonically daring ensemble who specializes in performing new works with charisma and integrity” (BBC Music Magazine), the GRAMMY® Award-winning Akropolis Reed Quintet comprises five reed players and entrepreneurs unbounded by limits or categorization. Described by The Wire as a “collective voice driven by real excitement and a sense of adventure,” Akropolis has graced the Classical Billboard Charts with each of their last three albums, including #2 in April, 2024. Winner of seven national chamber music prizes including the 2014 Fischoff Gold Medal, Akropolis is known for performing “works that brilliantly exploit their unique instrumentation” (Gramophone). Akropolis delivers 120 concerts and educational events worldwide each year and has premiered and commissioned more than 150 works by living artists and composers.

The quintet is also known for powerful collaborations with youth and others within its Detroit community. As a nonprofit organization, Akropolis is the recipient of the 2015 Fischoff Educator Award, as well as seven consecutive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The ensemble runs a Detroit-based summer festival called Together We Sound and holds annual, school year-long music composition residencies at Cass Tech, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Detroit School of Arts high schools. Akropolis also produces the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute, a 10-day artist training and mentorship program in Petoskey, MI.

Mission

Our mission is to create a more vibrant society with greater accessibility to contemporary music through the quintet’s artistic excellence utilized in performances, educational experiences, and community engagement. 

About our  Intern Positions

All positions are 4-10 hours/week, approximately 12 months, project-based, and virtual or hybrid, depending on the intern’s location and availability. While in-person availability is not required, we hope to fill at least one position with a candidate based in Southeast Michigan who may be able to support occasional on-site activities. Please don’t let location be a deciding factor in whether to apply. We welcome qualified candidates from anywhere.

Development Intern

Reports to: Operations & Development Manager

This position supports the development and engagement of our donors and audience base. Ideal for someone organized, proactive, and passionate about growing community engagement in the arts. Key tasks include:

• Create targeted invite and mailing lists to our upcoming national concerts and events using our donor database and local donor data

• Coordinate with music schools to raise student and faculty awareness of events

• Research and develop new audience partnerships in Detroit, MI (e.g., retirement centers)

• Assist with RSVP follow-ups to encourage attendance at free concerts as required

• Assist with researching grants, sponsors, and institutional funding opportunities

• Assist with data management and conversion in donor database

• Other related projects as assigned

Qualifications: Please see General Qualifications below.

Publishing  Intern

Reports to: Operations & Development Manager

Ideal for detail-oriented candidates interested in music publishing and new music promotion with strong attention to detail, research abilities, and organizational skills.

• Update and maintain contact lists for promotion avenues such as university sheet music outreach, publishers, etc. Update Akropolis media with purchase links as available

• Maintain Akropolis’ product listings and digital music catalog on our website and other platforms (i.e. JW Pepper), submit to databases like Composer Diversity Database, NewMusicShelf

• Create or edit digital sheet music files for website publication

• Manage customer lists and update website content related to published works

Qualifications: In addition to General Qualifications below, experience with music publishing, libraries, composition, or engraving is a plus.

Social Media Intern (Local to SE Michigan preferred)

Reports to: Marketing Manager

This position assists the Marketing Manager and supports Akropolis’ marketing goals. Ideal for creative, organized candidates who are passionate about digital storytelling and love making beautiful, branded visuals.

• Support ongoing social media engagement across platforms

• Create and manage Facebook event pages for all events and post concert updates

• Post and update Akropolis content on LinkedIn

• Create and edit video and media content, such as clips and reels from concert recordings (comfort with video editing platforms is ideal for this position)

• Create content to amplify projects and initiatives such as sheet music collection, events, etc.

• If based in Southeast Michigan, assist with on-site Together We Sound (TWS) festival activities, including taking photos and videos during local events

Qualifications: In addition to General Qualifications below, demonstrated experience creating instagram content and reels and editing photos and video clips. Design experience within Canva preferred. 

Publicity Intern

Reports to: Marketing Manager

Great for detail-oriented candidates with web skills and an interest in concert publicity. Keep our digital presence current by:

• Update our website events and maintaining the events calendar

• Populate national event listings (e.g., New Music USA, CMA)

• Create and send a monthly email newsletter of our upcoming events to our subscriber base

• Research 1-2 publications in each touring location and help secure interview opportunities with Akropolis artists where available and appropriate.

• Create digital concert programs

• Coordinate with presenters to ensure proper promotion of Akropolis concerts

• Arrange on-site concert support by confirming a local helper for merchandise sales, artist hospitality (water, green room), and day-of presenter liaison

Qualifications: In addition to General Qualifications below, demonstrated experience with Squarespace or comparable web platform, experience with Flodesk or comparable email marketing platform preferred.

General Qualifications for all positions:

• Background or strong interest in the arts, nonprofits, or chamber music

• Passionate about Akropolis Quintet’s mission and work

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently

• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and comfortable with research and data management

• Must have access to a personal computer, wifi, and phone

• Must have a schedule that allows for timely and quality completion of internship projects

Work Environment: Akropolis is committed to providing a flexible, supportive environment that prioritizes a healthy work-life balance.

• Virtual or hybrid position, depending on your location, with flexible scheduling

• Optional in-person opportunities for Southeast Michigan-based intern(s)

• Unpaid, but eligible for course credit where available. Akropolis will also support applications for university-based stipends where available

• All travel and related expenses covered by Akropolis when required

• Interns who demonstrate strong commitment and reliability may have the opportunity to explore additional areas of interest within the organization

How to Apply

Please send materials to info@akropolisquintet.org. You may indicate interest for more than one position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, but we hope positions will start as early as September 15. Interviews will begin the week of September 8. Please submit:

• Cover letter (no more than 1 page) that outlines which position(s) interest you, your current degree program and year of study, why you’re interested in the position(s) and how your experience relates, your availability (hours per week, availability for on-site activities if available, and any additional scheduling considerations)

• Resume with relevant skills, experience, or related achievements and 2 references who can speak to your relevant skills

• For Social Media applicants only: please include sample work including any social profiles you manage and design materials that you’re proud of.