Arts Administration
In Memory of Sidney J. McQueen
For undergraduate students through post-graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in arts administration.
2026 Program Dates
Monday, June 29 - Tuesday, July 28, 2026
*arrival and departure dates are subject to change and will be communicated during interview process
Application Deadline: March 1
program description
The Wintergreen Arts Administration Fellowship is suited for undergraduate students through post-graduates interested in exploring a career in arts management. Fellows receive hands-on experience and training and will have access to workshops led by experts in the field of classical music, including guest mentors and Wintergreen Music staff.
Each participant will be recognized as a Fellow of the Wintergreen Music Festival and will receive a full tuition waiver, room and board, and a travel and food stipend.
Wintergreen Music offers two different fellowship programs:
Leadership Fellows focus in one of the below departments. Fellows in this area may have pre-existing experience in arts administration and leadership, but are interested in further developing their leadership skills and deepening their knowledge in one specific area of management.
Exploration Fellows rotate through many of the below departments. Fellows in this area may have limited experience in arts administration but are interested in learning more about each department.
Fellowship Focus Areas:
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PRODUCTION & ARTISTIC OPERATIONS involves coordinating all aspects of Wintergreen Music chamber and orchestra rehearsals and performances. Responsibilities include producing run-of-show documents and helping run production meetings to collaborating with stage management and front-of-house departments to ensure performances are successful. These positions also focus on artist management, including arranging travel and hospitality. Fellows in this area work closely with our Director of Artistic Operations and interface directly with Wintergreen Music Guest Artists to meet their needs.
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PATRON SERVICES & EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT ensures a positive, memorable concert-going experience for Wintergreen Music audiences. This job area includes interaction with and providing exceptional customer service to patrons in addition to box office and front-of-house coordination. Executive management fellows work alongside Wintergreen Music’s Interim Executive Director Corinne Horvath, Manager of Patron Relations & Education Glenn Sewell and Communications Coordinator Brenna Wiinanen in donor, patron, board member, volunteer, and community partner relations, and in overseeing the overall operations of the Festival.
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EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT provides smooth operation of the LEAD Cooperative, facilitating communication between students, faculty, and staff, and producing LEAD Co-op masterclasses, workshops, recording sessions, and concerts. Fellows will work alongside Manager of Patron Relations & Education Glenn Sewell and Education Coordinator Brenna Wiinanen to manage all daily operations of the program.
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RECORDING AND TECHNOLOGY includes gaining experience in the technical execution of a production, with a focus on audio recording, sound reinforcement, concert lighting and stage management. This fellowship is offered only as a leadership fellowship and is not a part of the exploration fellow rotation.
At Wintergreen Music, your ideas matter! Fellows are truly a part of the Wintergreen family and are empowered to express their ideas, manage their own projects and openly collaborate with our staff, artists and other fellows. This encouragement and independence has prepared many of our Fellowship Alumni to secure arts management positions all over the country.
STUDIES INCLUDE:
2024 Arts Administration Students
Hands-on experience in the day-to-day operations of Wintergreen Music Festival and LEAD Cooperative in the following areas:
Marketing
Development
Patron communications
Operations
Personnel management
Networking and attending seminars with administration experts in the field of classical music including Wintergreen leadership, board members, and guest mentors.
Full days in a fast-paced and artistically vibrant Festival setting.
Time off to attend concerts, hike, and explore the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Evaluations and letters of reference as requested.
Access to Wintergreen Music seminars.
Additional Highlights:
Free access to nearly all Wintergreen Music Festival performances (a $900 value).
Beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking overlooks, and free access to the Wintergreen Resort Fitness and Aquatics center.
2026 Faculty
Application Requirements
A 500-word maximum statement detailing your interest in either the Leadership or Exploration Fellowship program, the focus area in which you are most interested, and any experience you feel may help you be successful as a Fellow.
Using your imagination to fill in the details, complete one of the following (1-2 pages maximum of text & graphics):
Create a production sheet for a chamber music concert
Create a social media marketing campaign for an upcoming chamber music concert
Describe the process of putting together a chamber music concert from inception to the final performance
Current resume, including musical and non-musical background.
Contact information for one reference.
Video recording of yourself describing a meaningful leadership experience and why it impacted you. 2 minutes or less.
Visit https://app.getacceptd.com/wintergreen and choose Arts Administration Fellowship from the dropdown menu for complete application requirements.
APPLICATION DEADLINES & INFORMATION
Deadlines
March 1: Application Deadline ($65 fee)
Acceptances
Selected students will be contacted by March 15 via email from the Acceptd application portal for an interview. An interview does not guarantee a spot in the 2026 program.
Online orientations in May/June will include:
Team-building sessions with Wintergreen Music leadership
Pre-Festival production meetings and department introductions
A what-to-expect overview
FEES
Application:
$65 on or before March 1
Tuition:
Free
Housing:
Free
Travel stipend:
To be paid to Fellow via check at the conclusion of the Festival
Food stipend:
To be paid to Fellow via check at the conclusion of the Festival
Contact
For questions or more information, please contact Education Manager Brenna Wiinanen (education@wintergreenmusic.org).
