Stanford Internship Program in the Arts (SIPA) Summer 2026: Self-Designed Internships
The Stanford Internship Program in the Arts (SIPA) provides opportunities to explore career pathways in arts organizations. SIPA is part of Cardinal Quarter, a campus-wide experiential learning initiative.
How It Works: Self-Designed (Off-Campus) Internships
Students secure an internship with an off-campus arts organization that aligns with your unique interests. If accepted into SIPA, students will receive a stipend to help support basic living costs during their 10 week, full-time internship. Students are responsible for securing their own housing for the duration of the internship.
This option is ideal for students who want to build a professional support network beyond Stanford--a major advantage if you’re considering pursuing future work or creative opportunities in the arts. While prior internship experience is helpful it’s definitely not required. (Many past SIPA interns completed their first college internship while in the program.)
Visit our website for details regarding internship eligibility and application requirements.
Interested in staying on campus this summer? Click here to learn more about SIPA's application track for pre-arranged, on campus internships.
- Learn about what it takes to run an arts organization in the United States
- Discover a variety of career pathways connected to the arts
- Experience the vibrancy of the United States arts ecosystem
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Open to current Stanford frosh, sophomore, and juniors from all academic disciplines.
- Priority will be given to students who have not previously participated in SIPA or the Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship.
- Co-terms and graduating seniors are not eligible for SIPA self-designed internships.
- SIPA-supported internships can only be completed during Summer Quarter.
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Students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded summer experiential learning opportunity during the 2025-26 academic year (inclusive of summer).
- If students choose to participate in either track of SIPA, they will not be eligible for another Stanford-sponsored full-time funding opportunity (e.g., another Cardinal Quarter opportunity, Global Studies Internship Program, Undergraduate Research Major Grants, Chappell Lougee, VPA Senior Grant, full-time departmental and faculty research grants, Beagle II Award, etc.).
- Travel Reservations Requirement: SIPA recipients are required to utilize Stanford Travel, a centralized booking program, when booking air fare, hotels, or rental cars for their internship experiences.
Host Organization Eligibility
All proposed host organizations for SIPA must meet specific eligibility criteria. Please contact program staff if you or your host organization have questions about the criteria.
Funding
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Students will receive a base stipend of $8,000 for for 2025-26 internships, plus financial aid (up to $1,500), if eligible.
- For international students: Stipend will be paid through Stanford. Contact the Bechtel Center to review any additional paperwork/authorizations that may be required in order to participate.
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Stipends will be paid once students complete all pre-participation requirements and finalize their internship placement.
Related Stanford Opportunities
Independent Projects: SIPA's focus is on arts administration and working with organizations. If you are interested in pursuing a community or independent project (such as making a film, apprenticing with an artist, pursuing a writing project, developing community artwork, etc.) you are encouraged to explore the following Stanford opportunities:
- Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship
- Undergraduate Research Major Grant
- Community Service Work-Study
International Projects: All SIPA placements must be with organizations headquartered and located in the United States. If you are interested in an international internship you are encouraged to explore the following Stanford opportunities:
