Event Production Intern (Remote)
Position Title: Event Production Internship (Spring/Summer 2021)
Reports to: Assistant Director, Production
The Chicago Humanities Festival Audience Experience Department seeks an energetic and enthusiastic intern with event production (digital and physical) and design experience to help support the improvement of front of house operations and technical capabilities at new and existing venues, including virtual spaces. Candidates should be eager to participate and support the inner workings of a festival producing over 100 public programs using various mediums. An internship commitment of 21 hours per week for 6–9 months is preferable; the minimum commitment required is 14 hours a week for 3 months. This internship program will commence in March 2021 and end no earlier than June/July 2021.
Responsibilities will include:
• Helping support the research and implementation of upgrading video, lighting, and sound capabilities at some festival venues and online platforms. Exploring new and emerging technologies to implement during festival to enhance audience experience.
• Potentially attending site visits, collecting venue information and specs, and closely documenting information for internal use.
• Working closely with the production team to produce select CHF programs and events, both in-person and online. Duties may include communicating with artists, presenters, partners, venues, and vendors; determining technical requirements; confirming and augmenting requirements as needed; and tracking information in CHF's CMS database to ensure all details are handled during the Festival.
• Helping maintain the festival archive data base and transfer existing and new information.
• Providing logistical support at fall Festival programs as well as year-round events, including stage management, audio and visual support, and post event reconciliation.
• Requesting and tracking presenter media and working closely with the marketing department to integrate into CHF media presentations.
• Preparing supplementary material for seasonal staff members and volunteers (i.e. tech sheets, schedules, venue production boxes), as needed.
• Designing venue floor plans to support the improvement of the audience experience before, during, and after festival programs.
• Work closely with Box Office and Audience Services team to fulfill duties as required.
• Other duties as assigned
Skills Level:
Candidates should have previous production or special event experience and enjoy complex multi-layered projects. A firm understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as a basic understanding of Adobe and Photoshop is required. Some level of virtual event experience desired, as well as general knowledge of web-based telecommunications systems (Zoom, Panopto, Crowdcast, etc). Ideal candidates must exemplify a close attention to detail and must exhibit a strong willingness to learn. Interest in the humanities is strongly preferred. Experience with Airtable and other databases is a plus.
Compensation:
This is an unpaid position. CHF offers a travel stipend to all qualified candidates, as well as additional compensation for work completed beyond the scope your office internship – as agreed upon with your department supervisor.
How to apply:
Please submit the following by February 5, 2021:
Application (available at http://www.chicagohumanities.org/about/internships), cover letter (including how you heard about the internship), resume, one or two letters of recommendation, and a brief personal statement.
Internship Program
Fax: 312.661.1018
Post: Internship Director, 500 N Dearborn, Suite 825, Chicago IL 60654
Your personal statement should be no longer than 500 words and include your career goals and what you hope to contribute to the Festival.
About the Chicago Humanities Festival
At Chicago Humanities Festival, we believe that humanity thrives when people gather, connect, and open themselves to ideas that go beyond their individual experience. That's why for more than 30 years, CHF has been curating live events that allow audiences to connect with thinkers, both established and emerging, to see the world differently. Under the leadership of Executive Director Phillip Bahar and Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Alison Cuddy, CHF is one of Chicago's most vibrant civic institutions. Join us and celebrate the social life of ideas.
Visit chicagohumanities.org for more information.
The Chicago Humanities Festival is an Equal Opportunity Employer.