Civitella is, in all aspects, an unreal place. I believe working with such talented people and being surrounded by the beauty of the Castle and the Umbrian landscape has shaped me in ways I have not yet fully grasped. The staff is welcoming, attentive, and professional, and make everyone who visits and stays at the Castle feel at home. The internship is a rewarding, challenging, and unforgettable experience where every day is different and each task teaches you something new.
–Olivia Bakker, Civitella Intern in 2025
Civitella seeks candidates for our paid internship program for the 2026 season. Located in a 15th-century castle in Umbria, Italy, Civitella is a residency program for international writers, composers, and visual artists. Over the last thirty years, we have hosted more than 1,000 Fellows and Director’s Guests. Interns are a treasured and integral part of our community and daily life, living and working at the Castle for roughly twelve weeks between April and November. The Civitella internship is a formative experience that emphasizes public speaking, teamwork, event planning, creative storytelling, and problem solving. Interns provide valuable support with the library, meals, excursions, presentations, and field recordings during each fellowship session. An ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate an interest in cultural and linguistic exchange, as well as in nonprofit arts programming, and media production. In addition to daily responsibilities, it is often also possible for interns to work on projects structured around their individual interests and experience.
The deadline for applications is January 15, 2026.
Roles and Responsibilities
Interns provide general assistance to the Executive Director, Residency Director, Program Coordinator, Program Assistant, Kitchen Staff, and the Fellows. They:
- Prepare for Fellows’ arrivals; provide transportation for Fellows and Guests; distribute orientation information and give tours of the facilities.
- Assist Fellows in their work as requested, run errands, greet guests, provide assistance in the office and in the on-site gallery.
- Accompany Staff and Fellows on excursions to nearby cultural sites, providing transportation, materials, and tour assistance.
- Provide interpretation as able and necessary.
- Help organize weekly events, including communications, technical assistance, and set up.
- Attend weeknight communal dinners with the Fellows, including setting and clearing tables at meal times, coordinating between Kitchen and Fellows, making announcements, and helping to maintain a lively and inclusive environment for conversation and exchange.
- Catalog new acquisitions for the library and re-shelve materials after use.
- Help track and maintain the inventory of the Foundation’s art collection.
- Document daily life at the Castle for Civitella’s communications channels.
- Attend staff meetings.
- Engage in special projects if interested and applicable.
Schedule
Civitella typically hosts one to three interns annually, between the months April and November, for twelve weeks each. Please note your availability in your cover letter.
The structure of the Civitella internship varies based on the projects, events, and needs of a given group of Fellows. Many intern responsibilities will happen Monday-Friday from 9 AM-5 PM, but these hours are subject to change. Dinner with the Fellows each weeknight is required. Flexibility is crucial and the intern should be available for events in the mornings, evenings, and on the weekends, as needed. As the main staff member living at the Castle, the intern will be Fellows’ first call should an emergency arise.
Interns are encouraged to travel in their free time with advance notice given to staff.
Skills and Requirements
Strong English proficiency is necessary, as is a valid driver’s license. We give preference to individuals with the ability to drive stick shift, Italian language skills, and experience in the arts or study/work abroad.
Applicants should be self-motivated, independent, collaborative, and adaptable. Each day interns encounter unpredictable and varying tasks; they should be comfortable working within an intensely motivated community in an idyllic but somewhat isolated location. An ideal intern maintains a confident, positive, and helpful attitude and must be open and diplomatic with people of diverse backgrounds and widely varying lived experiences.
Compensation
We offer selected candidates round trip airfare and transportation (from place of residence to Civitella), lodging, and meals (lunch and dinner six days per week) for the period of the internship and a stipend for incidental expenses of $200 per week.
Application Process
Applications will be collected through the Google form linked below. Please ensure the form is fully completed and includes, in a single PDF, a cover letter, up-to-date CV, and two references with their relationship to you and contact information (phone, email). Your cover letter should explain why the internship would be meaningful to you, how you might contribute to the Civitella community, and how past experiences have prepared you for the work described above. Please complete this form to submit your application by January 15th at 11:59 PM EST. We will conduct virtual interviews in February. Notification will be sent to candidates by early March.
Although I am lucky enough to be writing this with more than a month ahead of me at Civitella Ranieri, I can already see the beginnings of how fundamentally this experience has altered me. My coworkers here are kind, welcoming, and helpful: making me feel at home from the very moment I arrived and consistently considering my wellness, growth, and enjoyment throughout my time at the Castle.
No morning commute will ever be as magical as stepping into the fresh, Umbrian air, walking through the Secret Garden and crossing the Castle courtyard to be greeted by smiles and offers of fresh espresso in the Civitella office. I will carry the magic of this experience with me through life and am forever grateful for this opportunity and these people.
–Alana Di Placido, Civitella Intern in 2025