Call for applications: Centre for Creative Arts internship positions in SA

The Centre for Creative Arts is an award-winning cultural hub at the University of KwaZulu-Natal that produces acclaimed festivals such as Time of the Writer, Artfluence Human Rights Festival, Jomba! Contemporary Experience, Durban International Film Festival, Cabaret and Beyond Festival, and Poetry Africa.

The positions are designed to begin in January until December 2023. The successful applicants will be provided with invaluable mentorship and opportunities to work with the centre’s festival teams.

Applicants must possess a matriculation certificate plus either a college diploma or university degree. Preference will be given to eThekwini-based graduates who wish to acquire practical work experience in cultural administration and project management to enhance their CVs and their potential to secure future employment in the creative and cultural sectors. Successful applicants will receive a monthly stipend during the internship.

Interested graduates may apply for only one of the following posts by submitting a one page cover letter and a CV of no more than three pages to cca@ukzn.ac.za by no later than 12 November. 

The cover letter must state:

• The position being applied for.
• The qualifications and skills possessed by the candidate.
• A motivation why the candidate is interested in the internship.
• Special qualities that the applicant can bring to the work of the Centre for Creative Arts.

The Centre for Creative Arts recognises the immense value that artists contribute to the economic growth and social development, and to how the voice and works of artists contribute to advancing a culture of human rights and social justice. Candidates applying for the internships must, in addition to having the required qualifications, be able to demonstrate a passionate interest in the arts and a deep respect for the status of artists.

Internship positions:

Finance administration intern (two positions available)

The successful applicants will report to and be mentored by the centre’s finance officer. The intern will work with a team that is responsible for festival budget planning and financial administration to ensure that payments to the festival’s artists and service providers are made meticulously and on time. The intern will also help in preparation of reports and documents for the centre’s funders. Preference will be given to recent graduates who hold a qualification in bookkeeping, accounting or financial administration.

General administration intern (two positions available)

The successful applicants will report to and be mentored by the centre’s senior administrator. The intern will work with a team that is responsible for the smooth administrative operations of the Centre for Creative Arts as well as ensuring that logistics for the centre’s festivals are meticulously planned and executed. Responsibilities will include planning flights, shuttles and accommodation for artists as well as tasks associated with artists hospitality during the festival. Office responsibilities will also include minute-writing for the centre’s weekly meeting, data collection and general office administration. Preference will be given to recent arts graduates who also hold a qualification in administration and/or project management.

Content creation interns (three positions available)

The successful applicants will work in a highly-pressured environment working on developing content for the centre’s monthly Artfluencing Democracy Dialogues and social media platforms as well as working with the centre’s archivist to document the centre’s festivals. The successful applicants will report to the centre’s director and will be mentored by the centre’s festival curators and archivist while also working alongside the centre’s marketing and communications specialist. Preference will be given to recent graduates in the humanities and social sciences who hold a qualification in either the arts, cultural studies, international relations, media and communications studies, graphic design and/or project management.

Community engagement: community centres (one position available)

The successful applicant will work on strengthening the programmes between the Centre for Creative Arts and its five community-based art centre partners. Working alongside and being mentored by the centre’s various festival curators and reporting to the centre’s senior administrator the intern will extend the festival programme to the community arts centres through the centre’s festival on tour programmes. The intern will also manage the centre’s online public participation programmes and work closely with the curator of the Cabaret and Beyond festival. Preference will be given to a recent graduate in the performing arts who has a passion in project management. 

Community engagement: schools (one position available)

The successful applicant will work on strengthening the programmes between the Centre for Creative Arts and public schools in the eThekwini municipality. Working alongside and being mentored by the centre’s various festival curators and reporting to the centre’s senior administrator, the intern will extend the festival programme to local schools through the Centre’s Festival On Tour programmes. The intern will also manage the centre’s online public participation programmes and work closely with the centre’s curators to develop festival content that can be extended to schools. Preference will be given to a recent graduate with a degree in education or the performing arts who demonstrates a passionate interest in arts education.

DIFF and Isiphethu programme (One position available)

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is the oldest and largest of the centre’s seven festivals. The Isiphethu programme is the festival’s development and industry programme for emerging filmmakers. The successful applicant will be mentored by and work alongside the DIFF manager and Isiphethu programmes officer on the planning and presentation of the Durban International Film Festival and the Isiphethu programme. The intern will be tasked with key responsibilities for the Isiphethu International Student Film Festival. Preference will be given to a recent graduate in film studies who demonstrates a passionate interest in project management and who intends to advance a career in the film industry.

The submission deadline for all applications is 12 November.

View the original call here.