At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in delivering Scotland's leading crime-writing festival with hands-on experience.
- Company: Join Aberdeen Performing Arts, a vibrant creative hub in the heart of the city.
- Benefits: Earn £13.45 per hour and potential accommodation support for non-locals.
- Other info: Flexible hours during the festival and opportunities for career growth in the arts.
- Why this job: Immerse yourself in literature and arts while gaining valuable festival management skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for literature and events, excellent organisation, and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
Are you passionate about literature, live events and the arts? Are you organised, proactive and keen to gain hands-on experience delivering a major festival?
We're on the hunt for two hard-working and enthusiastic individuals to join the festival programming and marketing team delivering Granite Noir 2027. Granite Noir is one of Scotland's leading crime-writing festivals, bringing together bestselling authors, emerging voices, artists and audiences from across the UK for five days of events, performances and conversations. This internship is designed for someone looking to build a career in arts, culture, festivals, events, publishing or marketing. You'll gain practical experience across all stages of festival delivery, working alongside experienced industry professionals.
This paid, full-time internship runs for eight weeks from Wednesday 6 January – Wednesday 3 March 2027 and offers a front-row seat to the inner workings of one of Scotland's most exciting festivals. You’ll dive into a variety of exciting tasks, from event management and author liaison to travel and accommodation arrangements, marketing, research, and administration. As part of our friendly and experienced team, you’ll help bring Granite Noir’s eleventh edition to life.
This role would particularly suit a recent graduate, someone at the beginning of their career in the arts, or an individual looking to gain practical experience in festival and events management.
When: The festival runs Tuesday 23 February – Sunday 28 February 2027, so expect an action-packed week. Applicants must be available to work flexible hours during the festival period, including evenings and weekends and work across our three venues — His Majesty’s Theatre, The Music Hall, and The Lemon Tree.
Why you’ll love this role:
- Get hands-on experience in arts, events, and festival planning.
- Immerse yourself in a world of literature, creativity, and community.
- Earn £13.45 per hour with the possibility of a contribution towards accommodation if you're joining us from outside Aberdeen.
What we’re looking for:
- Passionate about literature, arts and live events.
- Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail.
- Able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Confident communicating with authors, artists, audiences and colleagues.
- Flexible, reliable and willing to get stuck in wherever needed.
- Interested in developing a career in festivals, arts, events, publishing or cultural organisations.
Bonus points for:
- Experience supporting events, festivals, arts projects or community programmes.
- Experience creating digital or social media content.
- Knowledge of the crime-writing, literary or wider cultural sector.
Who we are: Aberdeen Performing Arts is an award-winning creative hub at the heart of the city. We run three iconic venues—His Majesty’s Theatre, The Music Hall, and The Lemon Tree—and deliver much-loved festivals like Granite Noir, Light the Blue, and Rise Up. As a Real Living Wage employer, we’re committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, including staff discounts and ticket offers.
How to apply:
Visit our website at Aberdeen Performing Arts or send your CV and a covering letter (in whatever format you feel comfortable) to [email protected]. In your application, tell us:
- Why you’d love to work with Aberdeen Performing Arts.
- Why you’re perfect for this role.
- How you’d create a SPARK (reference our values!).
- Whether you would prefer to focus on Programming or Marketing during your internship.
Want to go the extra mile? You can include a video or audio application (max 5 minutes) via a We Transfer link to the email above. If applying by email, please also complete our online Diversity and Inclusion monitoring form.
We run a Guaranteed Interview Scheme, which offers disabled people or those who are care experienced a guaranteed interview, if they meet the essential criteria for the role. Please let us know in your application if you would like to be considered in the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
This post does not meet the minimum requirements for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route. We are therefore unable to consider applicants for this post that require sponsorship to work in the UK.
Key dates:
- Closing date: Friday 13th November 2026
- Interviews: w/c 30 November 2026
Get ready to make your mark on Granite Noir 2027. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Festival Intern - Granite Noir 2027 in Aberdeen employer: Aberdeen Performing Arts
Aberdeen Performing Arts is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity and collaboration thrive. As a Hospitality Supervisor, you will enjoy competitive pay of £14.56 per hour, alongside diverse employee benefits and ample opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic environment that prioritises exceptional guest experiences across multiple venues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Festival Intern - Granite Noir 2027 in Aberdeen
✨Get Involved with Local Initiatives
Dive headfirst into local nonprofit events or volunteer opportunities. Not only will this give you hands-on experience, but you’ll also meet like-minded folks and potentially get inside info on internship openings or tips straight from the horse's mouth.
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Join online communities and forums dedicated to social impact projects. Platforms like Idealist or NonprofitAF are perfect for connecting with professionals in the field. Engaging in discussions or sharing your own insights can give your profile a boost and help you stand out when it comes to applying for internships.
✨Show Your Passion on a Personal Website
If you don’t already have one, create a simple personal website or blog to showcase your experiences and thoughts on social impact topics. Link this in your applications—it shows any potential organisations, including Aberdeen Performing Arts, that you're genuinely passionate about making a difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Festival Intern - Granite Noir 2027 in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for the nonprofit sector shine through! Share any volunteer experiences or personal projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Let 'Aberdeen Performing Arts' see that you’re genuinely excited about making a difference in the world.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Make sure to tailor your CV to reflect skills that are particularly valued in the nonprofit sector, such as communication, project management, and teamwork. Don't forget to include any coursework, workshops, or seminars that relate to the role, especially if they involve social justice or community engagement!
Craft a Meaningful Personal Statement:For internships in social impact projects, we like to see a personal statement that outlines not just what you've done, but why you care about these issues. Talk about the change you hope to make, and how an internship at 'Aberdeen Performing Arts' aligns with your future aspirations.
Include Examples of Initiative:Internships are all about your potential to learn and grow! We recommend sharing specific examples where you've taken initiative, whether it's starting a campus club focused on social issues or organising community service. This shows that you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and contribute to the mission at 'Aberdeen Performing Arts'.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aberdeen Performing Arts
✨Show Your Passion for Social Impact
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for the nonprofit sector. Share any relevant volunteer experiences or projects you've been involved in to show that you're not just looking for any internship, but one where you can make a real difference.
✨Know the Key Issues and Tools
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and key issues that impact the nonprofit sector. Highlight any experience with data analysis tools like Excel or project management software that might help you contribute effectively to Aberdeen Performing Arts’s mission.
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As it’s an internship, focus on your eagerness to learn and adapt. Discuss what skills or areas you’re looking to develop, and how you believe an internship at Aberdeen Performing Arts could be a stepping stone to your career in social impact. This shows maturity and a willingness to grow.
