The CUNY Cultural Corps Rockefeller Fellowship, aimed at nurturing upcoming leaders in the arts and cultural sector, presents a unique opportunity within the Cultural Corps Program. This fellowship seeks to appoint 5 graduate CUNY students to be part of our academic year-long cohort. Rockefeller Fellows commit to a paid part-time fellowship running from beginning of September until the end of May of the following year in one of the following fields of interest:
Development & Fundraising
Education & Public Programs
Communications & Marketing
Curatorial & Exhibitions
Production Management (Performances & Events)
Our purpose-centered approach, rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, empowers Fellows to navigate and excel within NYC's vibrant arts and culture sector. Forge invaluable connections, refine their skills, and gain firsthand experience within prestigious cultural institutions; all while nurturing the next generation of cultural enthusiasts through mentorship.
Fellows receive $23 per hour to support their participation in program-related activities and complete approximately 250 hours of work at their placement sites.
Cultural Corps conducts pre-screening group sessions with selected applicants and then shortlists five candidates per field of interest to be interviewed by our partner organizations. After the interviews, one Rockefeller Fellow is selected for each of the areas of interest outlined above.
Work Commitment
A maximum of 250 hours of paid part-time work at your placement site, taking on meaningful responsibilities including day-to-day tasks and long-term individual and collaborative projects.
Approximately 50 hours of commitments with Cultural Corps, which include professional development workshops, undergraduate student recruitment, and mentorship activities.
Fulfill all program-related work, including placement site hours, training sessions, mentorship activities, and recruitment support.
Professional Development
Develop personalized SMART goals in collaboration with your supervisor to guide your fellowship experience.
Participate in monthly meetings with program staff and your fellowship peers to reflect on your experience and/or receive specialized career development training.
Attend networking meetings with leadership at your placement organization throughout the fellowship.
Mentorship and Recruitment Support
Provide individual and group mentorship to undergraduate Cultural Corps interns, helping them build professional skills and succeed in their internships. Mentorship will include:
Virtual monthly group check-ins with the full undergraduate cohort and with students in your department of choice
In-person event support (once per semester)
One-on-one undergraduate student and program alumni virtual mentorship sessions (as requested by Cultural Corps members or program staff)
Support the recruitment of new undergraduate interns by sharing your experience, participating in outreach efforts, supporting applications grading, and observing pre-screening sessions.
Feedback and Evaluation
Complete required feedback surveys on your program participation, including your experience at the placement site, trainings, and events attended.
To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following requirements:
Be enrolled in a CUNY graduate program during the Fall and Spring semesters in which you intend to participate in the Rockefeller Fellowship.
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in the Arts and Culture sector.
Have relevant academic or professional experience in your chosen fellowship field.
Have prior mentorship or leadership experience.
Submit one letter of recommendation that supports your qualifications for your selected fellowship field.
Have valid work authorization as required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While students on F-1 or J-1 visas are eligible to participate, priority will be given to domestic students for the 2025–2026 academic year. This approach helps ensure fellows' long-term employability after completing the program.
**Please note that participating cultural institutions and detailed job descriptions will be formally announced when student applications open and will be available for review within the application form.
The Development & Fundraising Fellow collaborates closely with the Development team at one of our partner organizations, delving into the intricacies of fundraising within a non-profit cultural institution. They actively contribute to various departmental activities such as individual donor engagement, grant writing, and the planning of benefits and events. Throughout the fellowship, the Fellow will acquire insights into data collection, reporting techniques, prospect research, and effective cultivation strategies. Strong communication and organizational skills are prerequisites for this role. Prior coursework in development and experience with fundraising databases are preferred. This position carries duties and responsibilities comparable to those of a Development Assistant, Grant Writer, Donor Relations Coordinator, Special Events Assistant, Special Events Assistant, Membership Coordinator, Database Administrator or a combination of these.
The Education & Public Programs Fellow position offers graduate students enrolled in art education or related programs a unique opportunity to engage directly with the institution's educational initiatives. Collaborating closely with the Education and Programming team, Fellows facilitate, document, and evaluate education and engagement initiatives. They have the chance to participate in lesson planning activities with teaching artists and to observe, assist, and lead workshops across all programs. This fellowship provides an ideal pathway for candidates interested in pursuing a career in arts education within schools, cultural organizations, or community-based settings. Ideal candidates possess a passion for education, art, and cultural engagement, along with effective communication and organizational skills. This position carries duties and responsibilities comparable to those of an Education Assistant, Program Coordinator, Gallery Educator, School or Family Programs Assistant, Special Events Assistant, Outreach Coordinator, or a combination of these.
The Marketing & Communications Fellow position offers a dynamic opportunity for individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience and practical skills in various facets of marketing within a cultural institution. Collaborating closely with the Marketing team, the Fellow engages in a range of marketing activities, including audience engagement strategies for social media, online and grassroots marketing, customer service shadowing, member retention campaigns, and special event planning and execution. Additionally, they participate in data analysis projects and maintain press and advertising archives. They gain experience with graphic design software and develop an understanding of advertising and audience development strategies within the cultural sector. Duties and responsibilities compare to those of a Marketing Assistant, Digital Content Coordinator, Audience Engagement Assistant, Graphic Design Assistant, Marketing Analytics Assistant, or a combination of these. This fellowship provides an ideal opportunity for individuals seeking a career or looking to gain experience in marketing, audience services, digital content creation, and data analytics within diverse cultural institutions.
The Curatorial & Exhibitions Fellow plays a pivotal role in planning and realizing installations, conducting research on collection objects and exhibitions, and contributing to documentation, scholarship, and conservation projects. Under the guidance of experienced curatorial staff, Fellows participate in essential departmental activities such as exhibition development, including conceptualization, object selection, loan negotiation, installation, and interpretation. They also have the chance to contribute to scholarly publications, educational materials, and public programming initiatives, helping to engage audiences and foster dialogue around the institution's collections and exhibitions. With duties and responsibilities comparable to those of a Curatorial Assistant or Assistant Curator, this fellowship provides professional training and development opportunities aimed at fostering a deep understanding of curatorial practices and preparing Fellows for preparing Fellows for careers in museums, galleries, cultural institutions, and academia.
The Production Management Fellowship offers a comprehensive experience for individuals interested in the operational and logistical aspects of live performance. Fellows are placed in dynamic departments where they gain hands-on experience in day-to-day production workflows, project coordination, and artist support.
Fellows work closely with theater and event production staff, supporting the execution of mainstage performances, workshops, and readings. Their responsibilities include assisting in the coordination of rehearsals and production meetings, supporting institutional and production-specific budgeting, managing schedules and physical needs for live events, interfacing with designers, stage managers, and technical crews, and performing general administrative tasks. This track offers responsibilities comparable to those of a Production Assistant, Assistant Stage Manager, Technical Coordinator, or Administrative Assistant.
❝ This fellowship offers an exceptional avenue to improve professional skills, expand your network, gain valuable work experience, and possibly get hired at cultural organization in New York City.❞
Application Questions:
Upload your resume
GPA must be 3.0 or above
Provide a recommendation letter (academic or professional)
Applicants must provide the name and contact information of one professional reference in the Referrer field of the application. After you submit your application, an automated link requesting a reference letter will be sent directly to the individual you list.
What Makes You a Great Candidate for This Fellowship?
In 100 -150 words, please explain how your previous academic or professional experience makes you a strong candidate for the Rockefeller Fellowship in general, and how your skills and experiences specifically align with your chosen field.
Write down a list of 5 goals relative to your leadership career path in the arts and culture sector within the next 5+ years.
Rockefeller Fellowship candidates must identify how they hope to be long-term leaders in the arts. What are your aspirations to support mentorship/DEIA in your own career? You will further shape and develop these goals as you go through the program.