About our Internship Program
WaterFire Providence’s interns are given an up-close view of the inner workings of a major nonprofit organization dedicated to the ritual of renewal in a city through the magic of art and music, water, and fire. An internship at WaterFire Providence is a very unique experience that allows interns to work side-by-side with staff and members of the community to present an amazing and moving event.
Whether an intern is interested in learning more about the workings of a nonprofit, or about art, theater, music, or community, an internship at WaterFire Providence combines them all.
A WaterFire Providence intern will finish his or her internship with experience in many areas: nonprofit public arts administration, fundraising, event planning, and a better understanding of the intersection between art/culture and community.
Check out the WaterFire Intern Instagram for a look behind the scenes of day-to-day operations at WaterFire Providence!
Internship Requirements
- The ability to confidently take and follow directions, as well as multitask
- Experience with Google Docs/Sheets, Google Calendar, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Interns are expected to be outgoing on social media and to represent the Internship Program on our blog and on Instagram
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- The ability to work independently and with others
- Access to a car and a valid driver’s license is preferable
- A genuine interest in art, culture, community, and WaterFire’s mission
How to Apply
We accept interns on a rolling basis throughout the year.
All WaterFire Providence internships are hosted at the WaterFire Arts Center, 475 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02908. Full-time and Part-time internships are available during Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms. Times vary and are flexible – please inquire for details.
For more information about interning at WaterFire contact Gary Saint Laurent.
All WaterFire Providence internships are unpaid. Internships may be done for academic credit, career exploration, or service learning.
Hi! My name is Riana and I am the Fall 2026 graphic design intern!
I am currently a senior at Johnson and Wales majoring in graphic design with a print focus.
I grew up in Kingston New Hampshire and came to Rhode Island for school. My goal is to continue pursuing graphic design specifically in editorial and advertising. I love any opportunity to be creative which is why I’m incredibly excited to design for WaterFire!
Im looking forward to getting involved with upcoming exhibitions and being apart of the team!
Hi everyone! My name is Sam Cerna, and I’m a Fall 2026 intern for the Development Team at WaterFire.
Currently, I’m a sophomore at Brown University studying public policy economics. My goal is to eventually work in government or at a nonprofit, in a role supporting the arts/humanities. This is what drove me to pursue this internship! I’m excited to learn about the logistics that keep organizations like WaterFire afloat, and the values that guide decision-making in various areas.
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where I learned to love exploring! Whether it’s a new city, new restaurant, or trying a new hobby, I am always down to side-quest and learn something new. Because of this, I find community events like WaterFire so integral to city culture! Most recently, I have loved spending time with my friends at new cafes, going to concerts, and trying pilates classes in Providence.
Hi everyone, it’s Emma and today was my last day as the Volunteer and Event Management intern!!
One of my favorite parts of my internship was being able to run Starry Starry Night, where people were able to come and make wishes on stars and we were even able to host a proposal on the Fourth of July! This summer, I did a little bit of everything from helping put wood in the braziers to designing our new seller star bags.
I am so grateful for the amazing team at Waterfire and all the effort and hard work they put into every single event. Shout out to all of the interns that made this summer so much fun!!! 🌌🔥⭐️
Hi everyone! It’s Isabel, and today is my last day as a Devo intern at WaterFire. I have had the most rewarding experience here this summer! I have learned so much about grant writing, gift entries, project management, and the immense amount of behind-scenes-effort that powers every WaterFire event and initiative. It was so much fun to work during full lightings and helping our WaterFire Circle receptions run smoothly.
I’m so grateful to have had Chris and Kellie as my supervisors and for all the WaterFire staff who made this summer so valuable. Special thanks to fellow Devo interns @maggiewhelann and @_.wi1ka._ for making this summer even more fun and enjoyable!!
This internship has sharpened my skills that I will carry into future professional endeavors. Thank you WaterFire!! 🔥🔥
