Creative Internship Programme

Creative Internship Programme

Opens for applications: Closed for Applications
Closing date for applications: Closed for Applications

As part of Leitrim County Council’s Creative Economy programme, Leitrim County Council is offering Leitrim based Arts & Culture Organisations the opportunity to employ an intern for two days per week for 20 weeks at a rate of €100.00 per day. The programme is designed to provide an early career creative sector practitioner with the opportunity to gain valuable experience at an important time in their development. 

The Creative Sector Internship Programme is designed to provide an early career creative sector practitioner with the opportunity to gain valuable experience at an important time in their development. To take part in the scheme, an organisation must have the capacity to provide a valuable learning environment in the creative sector for the intern.

All applicant organisations must:

  • Be an organisation that provides a full-time service in the Creative Sector.
  • Already employ skilled professional staff.
  • Be able to nominate a member of that staff as intern mentor whose role it is to impart specific identified skills and knowledge to the intern and act as liaison for the intern both within the organisation and between the organisation and Leitrim County Council.
  • Have the administrative capacity to employ the intern and manage all legal requirements with respect to their employment.

All interns must:

  • Aspire to a professional career in the Culture & Creativity Sector.
  • Have a proven commitment, relevant qualification or a sufficient level of knowledge, experience or accomplishments in the sector for optimum benefit to accrue from the opportunity.
  • Be able to commit to the full duration of the programme.
  • Be originally from, or currently living in County Leitrim

All interns should either:

  • Be currently in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection.
  • Be in other part-time employment while still fulfilling the requirements of 2 above.

To apply, organisations should submit an application online outlining the following:

  • the nature of the organisation.
  • the anticipated role or projects that the intern would be expected to work on.
  • the qualifications, interests and experience expected of the intern.
  • The role, skills and experience of the organisation’s nominated intern mentor.

If successful, selected organisations will be provided with a grant of €5,000.00, which provides for the total payment to the intern of €4,000.00 and an additional €1,000.00 towards any costs to the employer such as PRSI, training and additional administration arising from the role.

Recruiting the intern

The organisation should recruit the intern in much the same manner as for any other employee. The greater the clarity and detail of the information advertised, the greater the likelihood of the suitability of the applicant. Target advertising to specific places that have access to likely candidates such as relevant departments of third level colleges and other cultural organisations in the region. Conduct interviews as you would for any other position. As well as being an opportunity for an organisation to find the best applicant; interviews are also an opportunity for the applicant to ensure that the organisation is a right match for them.

Considerations on how to get the best out of the internship:

  • Make sure the internship is organised so everyone benefits. It takes effort on behalf of an organisation to ensure the success of an internship. Get to know your intern’s strengths and what they hope to learn and gain from the opportunity.
  • Ensure that it adds value to your organisation. Recruit an intern because you believe they can add value and bring new ideas to your organisation.
  • Don’t give interns only menial tasks. Most interns will generally want an internship to be a bridge to a new career or an opportunity to gain valuable experience.
  • Embrace different skillsets. An intern in your organisation doesn’t have to be an aspiring expert working in their specialist field. For example, an arts centre could benefit from hiring a musician to work in marketing, providing insights into marketing to that specific audience whilst the intern gains new skills in how to develop their own professional practice.
  • Put time into the recruitment process. Define the role and the opportunity, conduct interviews, to ensure you select the right candidate.
  • Provide induction. Walk your intern through their role, and ensure there is always someone on hand to offer help if needs be. The better the induction and support, the greater the likelihood of getting better outcomes.

All interns in Ireland have basic employment rights, including the right to a safe working environment, data protection rights, protection against discrimination, break allowances and holidays. For this scheme, interns are entitled to public holiday leave, as well as a minimum annual leave, which works out at 1.5 days over the course of this internship.

  • Applications may be submitted online only. You may download a copy of the online form to assist in the preparation of your application here - Application Form
  • Completed forms must submitted before Midnight Sunday 14th April 2024 using the online form below.