Oral History Fellow (Summer)

Experience an unforgettable summer at Interlochen, where creativity thrives in the heart of nature! Join our vibrant community for Interlochen Arts Camp 2026 where passionate individuals come together to make art, make friends, and make lifelong memories. In the serene and rustic setting of northern Michigan, youll inspire the next generation of artists while embracing the beauty and challenges of wilderness living. Embrace the magic and make a lasting impact!

Position Overview

Interlochen Arts Camp is a vibrant and inclusive summer camp that offers campers ages 8-18 an unforgettable experience filled with artistic excellence, fun, learning, and personal growth. Join us for an enriching summer as an Oral History Fellow. Each summer, the Office of Engagement welcomes hundreds of alumni, former faculty, staff, and parents back to campus to reengage with the Interlochen they experienced. As Interlochen approaches our centennial in 2028, were ramping up our effort to collect their Interlochen memories, stories, and moments of inspiration.

Join us in the summer of 2026 and help us continue the legacy of fostering creativity, nurturing talent, and celebrating the individual artistic journey at Interlochen. We are seeking a customer-focused and detail-oriented Oral History Fellow who embodies our core values and are committed to nurturing young artists. As an Oral History Fellow, you will work as part of the Office of Engagement (alumni relations) team to collect and process brief oral histories (vignettes), including welcoming, orienting, interviewing, and recording subjects, and editing, cataloging, and archiving the resulting content, while fully immersing yourself in the unique environment that only a summer camp can offer. In this role, youll meet alumni from all over the world, hear their incredible stories, and help them reconnect with their formative years at Interlochen. Youll also gain valuable experience in constituent engagement and relationship-building, which are critical needs of every arts organization.

What You Get To Do

• Provide exceptional service, whether in person, on the phone, or in writing, by displaying a strong customer-centric attitude and maintaining a friendly and flexible attitude while hosting alumni, parents, and other guests
• Support the continued development of an oral history program at Interlochen as it relates to Interlochens centennial celebration and the recording of stakeholder vignettes in person, both on- and off-campus, and online
• Assist in the planning and execution of more in-depth interviews with select individuals who have deep Interlochen ties as needed
• Inform the ongoing development of questions and prompts to elicit insightful and relevant oral histories/vignettes in the time allotted
• Conduct background research on subjects to prepare for interviews and improve the integrity of our database
• Conduct effective and efficient pre-session meetings as needed to prepare guests to share their Interlochen story successfully
• Record oral history vignettes/interviews using digital recording tools with keen attention to ensuring the best sound quality possible
• Prompt subjects/guest(s) as needed to endure clarity, consistency, and conciseness of their stories
• Edit the resulting audio/video files for clarity, consistency, and conciseness
• Leverage transcription tools to provide an accurate transcript of the interview for review by the interviewee
• Prepare and produce written transcripts, including reviewing, proofreading, and reformatting as needed
• Catalog digital audio/visual media and document according to established archival methods; create metadata for digital files
• Support the continued development of tools to provide appropriate access to archived oral histories
• Produce written reports, short articles, social media contributions, and other written materials as needed.
• Assist with other Office of Engagement onsite programs as required.
• Exercise discretion with sensitive and personal information.
• Work a varied schedule that includes both evening and weekend hours.
• Seek the best use of materials, equipment, and staff to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Comply with ICA policies/procedures and is a good steward of ICA finances.
• Respect the culture, diversity, and rights of all students, their families, and the community.
• Prioritize duties in a manner consistent with organizational objectives and growth.
• Interface professionally with alumni, parents, students, administration, faculty, staff, donors, patrons, and visitors.

What You Get

• Compensation: $4,160
• Meals and on-campus lodging
• 10% tuition discount for Discovery Camp or 50% Interlochen Arts Camp for dependents
• 20% discount for tickets to most summer concerts.
• 15% discount on merchandise from Scholarshop and food/beverages from Melody Freeze

What You Need

• Availability6/15/2026 - 8/21/2026
• Prepared to live in a residence hall with a roommate. While we offer accessible housing accommodations, please note that due to the rustic nature of our camp, these options are limited.
• Possess strong knowledge of current archival issues, trends, and standards, including best practices for evaluating, documenting, storing, and searching archival print, audio, and video specimens
• Demonstrate strong research and comprehension skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Possess solid audio recording and editing skills or experience
• Maintain excellent organizational and project management skills along with the ability to problem solve and manage responsibilities with minimal supervision
• Leverage exceptional oral and written communication skills to move projects and relationships forward
• Strong ability to understand and balance the varying needs of alumni, parents, students, administration, faculty, staff, volunteers, donors, patrons, and visitors; demonstrate good judgment and diplomacy; remain discreet; build positive relationships
• Possess a high degree of personal integrity and a strong commitment to the Interlochen mission and values
• Demonstrate respect for cultural, ethnic, spiritual, and linguistic diversity and values, including differences in personal goals, lifestyle choices, and varying family backgrounds and histories
• Demonstrate personal warmth, charisma, and cultural sensitivity to effectively represent Interlochen to a diverse community of stakeholders

What to Expect about Camp Life

• Rustic Living: Youll be living in a residence hall, surrounded by the beauty of northern Michigan. Air conditioning is not provided; you may bring your own fan.
• Embrace the Outdoors: The camp is nestled in a wilderness area, so expect to encounter wildlife and insects as part of the experience. Embracing the natural environment is key to enjoying your time here.
• Outdoor Work Environment: Many of your duties will involve working outdoors, often for extended periods, so being comfortable in various weather conditions is important.
• Community and Camaraderie: Youll be part of a tight-knit community where collaboration, creativity, and support are at the forefront. The connections you make here will be lifelong.

About Interlochen

Interlochen Arts Camp has been a haven for creative talent for nearly a century. Our summer camp is a vibrant, transformative experience where young artists from diverse backgrounds come together to explore, learn, and grow. We offer a range of programs spanning music, visual arts, theatre, dance, creative writing, film & new media, and interdisciplinary arts, providing a platform for every artist to thrive.