Intern, Oral History & Archives

About Jazz at Lincoln Center:

The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Inc. (“JALC”) is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy. From college students to young stars, from working professionals to celebrated masters, we present quality jazz for an ever-increasing audience in an unprecedented range of activities and a variety of venues. We are dedicated to lifting audiences and bringing people together with substance and with integrity. JALC has created a dynamic platform where our key constituents – jazz artists (beginner to grizzled veteran), fans (casual listeners to advanced scholars), educators (local band leaders to leading artist-educators) and advocates (local community advocates to important national promoters) – can meet, engage, learn, and work towards common objectives.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a current undergraduate student, graduate student or recent graduate in Library Science, Oral History, History, or a related field to support the Jazz at Lincoln Center Archives team. This internship offers hands-on experience in archival digitization, oral history research, metadata management, and audiovisual documentation within a nonprofit arts organization.

The intern will assist with digitization projects, oral history interview preparation, metadata entry and cataloging, archival research, and audiovisual setup for recordings. By the end of the internship, the intern will gain practical experience with archival workflows, oral history project coordination, and digital asset management practices in a professional archive setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with digitization of printed archival materials and photographs using Epson flatbed scanners
• Support all phases of the Oral History Project, including research and interview preparation
• Set up audiovisual equipment for oral history interviews and recordings
• Enter metadata and catalog newly created oral history files and archival assets
• Conduct archival and historical research related to oral history initiatives
• Assist with organizing and maintaining digital archive records and materials
• Fulfill tasks assigned by a supervisor
• Make recommendations for process improvements
• Perform administrative duties as needed

Qualifications:

• Excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to perform focused and repetitive tasks with accuracy
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate degree program in Library Science, Oral History, History, Archival Studies, or related fields
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous oral history or archival research experience
• Previous scanning and digitization experience
• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro or video editing software
• Experience with ArchivesSpace
• Previous experience in an educational or music-focused environment
• Knowledge of jazz history

What We Offer:

• Hands-on experience in a non-profit, arts, and educational organization
• Technical skills related to the industry
• Mentorship from experienced staff and educators
• A supportive and dynamic work environment
• Opportunity for continued project involvement or internship extension based on departmental needs

Schedule & Commitment

• Hours: 15 to 20 hours per week
• Duration: 3-month internship with the possibility for extension
• Flexibility: Interns will collaborate with their supervisor to establish a schedule that balances departmental needs with their personal or academic calendar
• Location: This is a fully in-person role. Staff work on-site at either Jazz at Lincoln Center’s administrative offices (3 Columbus Circle) in New York City.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is an equal opportunity employer that affords equal opportunities to all applicants, employees, contractors, and other covered persons, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Jazz at Lincoln Center is committed to creating an inclusive, open, and respectful culture that reflects and embraces diversity.