Internships for the 26/27 year are now open! Please find details about the open positions below in addition to the online application portal. We are accepting applications until 11:59pm ET on Friday, September 4, 2026.

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. 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 who enjoys working with people. 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., workplace concert series)

• 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.

Social Media Intern

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 a post promoting every concert in coordination with national presenters

• 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.

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.

General Qualifications for all positions:

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

• Passionate about Akropolis’ 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 projects for the duration of the internship

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

• Akropolis' administrative work is largely asynchronous. You'll have projects, weekly check-ins, mentorship, and email access, but the interns who get the most here play an active and collaborative role in shaping the year into what they want it to be

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

How to Apply

Please apply via our online portal by 11:59pm ET on Friday, September 4, 2026. To apply, you will submit basic information about you, upload a 1-page resume, answer 5 or 6 open ended questions, and submit 2 professional references. Social media intern candidates will also be asked for at least 1 portfolio sample. Late applications are not guaranteed to be considered. You may indicate interest for more than one position. Positions may begin as early as September 15. Interviews may begin as early as September 8.