IDEAS Fellow

Title: IDEAS Fellow
Department: People & Culture
Reports to: Chief Culture & People Officer

Position Summary

At The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts (POEA), Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS) are not separate initiatives. They are foundational to who we are, how we lead, and how we serve our communities. IDEAS is embedded in our mission, values, decision-making, and culture across every stage, venue, and experience.

Guided by our mission to inspire and connect humanity through exceptional experiences on and off the stage, POEA serves as both a cultural leader and civic convener. We strive to model our core values of being exceptional, collaborative, inclusive, and authentic in everything we do.

The IDEAS Fellow is an exciting opportunity for a current undergraduate or graduate student who is passionate, curious, and eager to gain meaningful hands-on professional experience at one of the nation’s leading arts and cultural organizations. Working closely with the Chief Culture & People Officer and the People & Culture team, the Fellow will assist with projects that support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS) across the organization.

This fellowship is designed as a learning experience where the Fellow can build professional skills while contributing to projects related to organizational culture, employee engagement, accessibility, community impact, research, philanthropy, and collaboration across POEA. The Fellow will also have opportunities to learn from leaders, artists, staff, trustees, and community partners and gain exposure to nonprofit leadership and arts administration.

Previous professional experience in this field is not required. We are looking for a student who is organized, engaged, willing to learn, and excited to contribute in a collaborative professional environment.

Essential Responsibilities

The IDEAS Fellow will support a wide range of initiatives, including but not limited to:

• Working with the Chief Culture & People Officer and People & Culture team to support IDEAS projects and activities across the organization.
• Assisting with the coordination and staffing of IDEAS-related meetings, committees, programs, and initiatives.
• Participating in cross-departmental committees and special projects to learn how teams collaborate across POEA.
• Providing administrative and project support, including scheduling meetings, organizing materials, maintaining spreadsheets, and helping prepare presentations and reports.
• Assisting with basic tracking of budgets, expenses, invoices, and other information related to IDEAS initiatives and activities.
• Helping draft, proofread, and edit correspondence, presentations, reports, and communication materials.
• Supporting initiatives connected to the Musician EDI Committee, IDEAS Staff Engagement Group, IDEAS/People & Culture Board Committee, and other organizational culture efforts.
• Assisting with research, benchmarking, and basic data analysis related to staff, musicians, donors, trustees, audiences, and peer organizations.
• Helping organize and summarize research findings, trends, and insights that may support organizational projects and decision-making.
• Supporting Development and Research staff with research related to prospective donors and philanthropic opportunities for IDEAS initiatives.
• Contributing to projects that strengthen organizational culture, employee engagement, accessibility, belonging, and community connection.

What You Will Gain

This fellowship is designed to provide current students with meaningful professional development, mentorship, and real-world experience within a nationally recognized performing arts organization. The selected Fellow will gain:

• Exposure to nonprofit leadership and organizational strategy
• Experience working across multiple departments and disciplines
• Opportunities to contribute to inclusion, culture, and accessibility initiatives
• Professional mentorship and coaching
• Experience with research, data analysis, and nonprofit operations
• Insight into philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, and arts administration
• Access to performances, programs, and special events across POEA venues

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
• Previous internship, volunteer, campus leadership, student organization, or work experience is welcomed but not required
• Experience completing research, presentations, reports, or other written projects through coursework, employment, internships, or extracurricular activities
• Interest in areas such as arts and culture, organizational culture, diversity and inclusion, accessibility, community engagement, human resources, nonprofit management, communications, business, research, or a related field
• Interest in learning about fundraising, research, project coordination, arts administration, or nonprofit leadership is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to balance multiple assignments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with people across different departments, backgrounds, and levels of the organization
• Professionalism, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, ask questions, and take initiative
• Ability to work independently while seeking guidance when needed in a dynamic environment
• Attention to detail and ability to handle information professionally and confidentially

Working Conditions

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment. The Fellow must be able to maintain a flexible schedule to support performances, meetings, and events, including occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Compensation & Schedule

This is an unpaid fellowship with an anticipated schedule of approximately 20–25 hours per week.

In addition to valuable hands-on experience and professional mentorship, the Fellow will have opportunities to attend complimentary performances, concerts, and events across POEA venues: Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, and the Miller Theatre.

Location

Miller Theater
250 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
 

About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts brings together one of the world’s most celebrated orchestras with the iconic venues that have shaped Philadelphia’s cultural life for nearly 170 years. As the owner and operator of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Miller Theater, and as the programming partner for the historic Forrest Theatre, POEA serves as a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s artistic and civic identity.

Welcoming more than one million guests annually, POEA presents more than 1,000 events each year spanning Broadway, classical music, jazz, comedy, dance, theater, family programming, and community engagement initiatives.

Through artistic excellence, accessibility, education, and deep community partnership, POEA continues to create meaningful experiences that bring people together and shape a more inclusive and connected future for the arts.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or disability status.

Employees are expected to be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position, with or without job modification/reasonable accommodation. If an employee believes a job modification/reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources so that a review can be conducted. POEA strives to comply with the accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and other related federal, state, and local laws.