Overview

AADF2026 Collaborative Internship is a 7-month program that provides early to mid-career AAPI dance artists opportunities to develop production, management, and leadership skills necessary for producing small and large scale events, while also developing skills in community building that is culturally sensitive. This program runs February - September 2026, in tandem with Asian American Dance Festival 2026 (AADF2026) - San Diego’s only dance festival that centers AAPI dance artists and voices. Participants receive direct training and mentorship in event production, arts management, and community programming.

Feb 22 - Meet & Greet

Mar 14 - Collaboration Workshop

Mar 29 - AADF March Gathering: Photoshoot
Apr 18 - Feedback Session
May 9 - Collaboration Showing

May (TBD) - AADF May Gathering
Jun (TBD) - ChoreoLAB Workshop

Jul (TBD) - AADF Gathering

Jul 19 - ChoreoWreck
Aug 30 - AADF2026 Dance Film Screening
Sep 4 - AADF2026 Collaborative Residency Showcase
Sep 5 - AADF2026 Community Day
Sep 12 - AADF2026 Mainstage Showcase
Sep 20 - Final meeting & recap

Open to early to mid-career AAPI dance artists of all dance genres. This includes performers, teachers, and choreographers. 

AAPI dance artists interested in:

• learning about the administrative and operational side of dance making and production.
• developing deeper ties to AAPI communities through arts, and building bridges between AAPI communities and with the broader San Diego community.

Training - Hands-on “learning by doing”

• AADF2026 Planning & Production - Interns work directly with AADF co-organizers and volunteer staff in planning, organizing, and producing this year’s festival and interim events. Having hands in all aspects, Interns learn about, strategizing, budgeting, marketing, communications, and outreach. Interns learn to engage with other professional artists, organizations, performance venues, and other 3rd party partners.
• Partner AAPI Organizations - Interns are provided opportunities to work with and learn from partner AAPI arts and cultural organizations that have longstanding ties and deep commitment to local AAPI communities. These organizations provide Interns rich exposure to community building and cultural engagement. Interns are able to participate in serving community needs while also gaining valuable administrative skills as they assist these organizations with small projects and events.

Education - Interns are provided professional development classes and workshops that are essential for dance artists who eventually wish to self-produce or work for dance organizations. Topics may include grant writing, marketing & social media, self-promotion, creating and managing budgets, etc.

Mentorship - Ongoing mentorship from AADF co-organizers, including one-on-one training and meetings.

Financial Support - Weekly stipend for administrative training and work.

Opportunity to Complete Second Track: Those who complete the Internship and receive an invitation to return, may apply to participate in the Residency in a subsequent year.

Opportunity to Apply for Fellowship: Those who complete the Internship and receive an invitation to return, may apply to participate in the Fellowship the following year.

• 18 years of age or older.
• Early to mid-career dance artist of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent - any dance form.
• Not a student or enrolled in any degree seeking program at the time of the program.
• Not participating in a comparable development, fellowship, or residency program at the time of this program.
• Not currently a member or employee of TILTshift Dance.