Part-Time Creative Marketing & Graphic Design Intern

Houston Ballet; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Houston Ballet is seeking a talented graphic design intern to join our marketing team in downtown Houston. The role offers hands-on experience creating social content, print and digital campaigns, video, and email assets under guidance from experienced staff.

You will contribute to real projects, build a strong portfolio, and develop skills in typography, layout, and color using Adobe Creative Suite and related tools. This paid internship is part-time and on-site at our HQ.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating design skills across social content, video, photography or branding.
• Strong typography, layout and color understanding.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; After Effects a plus.
• Familiarity with Canva, Figma, or similar tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects without sacrificing quality.

Responsibilities

• Design social media content and graphics for campaigns.
• Build assets for print and digital marketing materials.
• Edit short-form video and assist with motion graphics.
• Support email marketing design and website updates.
• Retouch photography and assemble presentations.

Skills

Portfolio

Typography

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Figma

Multi-project management

Education

Graphic design or related field student/graduated

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Premiere Pro

After Effects

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Houston Ballet - Headquarters - Houston, TX 77002

Position Type: Internship

Come work with us at Houston Ballet! Join a leading nonprofit arts organization that’s redefining what ballet can be. We’re committed to inspiring a lasting love of dance through nationally recognized bold performances, new choreography, and education programs. At Houston Ballet, your creativity meets purpose—and your passion takes center stage. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, every role here contributes to something bigger.

Visit: www.houstonballet.org for more information.

Summary: Houston Ballet's marketing team is hiring a paid intern to help create the visual and digital content that reaches our audiences: social media, print and digital campaigns, video, email, and more. This is a working role, not an observational one. You'll contribute to real projects that go out to the public, with guidance from our in-house creative and marketing staff. This is a part-time, paid position ($15 per hour) and we are located in downtown Houston, TX.

What you'll actually be doing

• Helping to design social media content and graphics
• Building assets for print and digital marketing campaigns
• Editing short-form video and assisting with motion graphics
• Supporting email marketing design
• Selecting and retouching photography
• Putting together presentations
• Helping with event signage and environmental graphics
• Contributing to website and digital content updates
• Assisting with other multimedia projects as they arise

What we're looking for

• A portfolio that demonstrates real design skill, whether in social content, video, photography, or branding
• Solid understanding of typography, layout, and color
• Comfort with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro); After Effects experience is a plus
• Familiarity with Canva, Figma, or similar tools
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once without sacrificing quality
• Curiosity about new tools and formats, along with an interest in how technology can support creative work

You don't need years of experience. You do need initiative, attention to detail, and a willingness to take feedback and revise your work.

Background we'd expect

Currently studying or recently graduated in graphic design, digital media, advertising, marketing, communications, visual arts, film, or a related field. Note a strong portfolio can outweigh an unrelated major!

What you'll get out of it

Hands-on experience across brand work, campaign production, video and photo content, and arts marketing, along with a portfolio of finished, published work and mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Statement

Houston Ballet is dedicated to creating meaningful change by cultivating a space that honors what is unique in all of us. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) are instrumental in the fulfillment of our mission and values. We recognize our responsibility to be an inclusive and open organization for students, artists, staff, trustees, and volunteers of all backgrounds.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Join us, together we are Houston Ballet.

Core Values

• EXCELLENCE: We are passionate about results. Our programs are recognized and awarded for excellence. We are committed to delivering quality programs at the highest standard. Work in all departments matches the caliber of the programming on stage.
• ENGAGED: We are proud to be a part of a company that produces art and trains artists. We attend performances and are tremendous advocates for the education and community engagement programs we offer. We are all in and well-versed in the mission of Houston Ballet.
• DRIVEN: We are driven to take goals and run with them. We are excited to deliver results beyond expectations. We are accountable for our actions and work. We reinvent Standard Operations Procedures, leaving our jobs better than we found them. Much of our work product becomes the standard for individuals who will fill our roles in the years to come.
• COLLABORATIVE: We unite around Houston Ballets mission and support each other in reaching goals. We share information widely and generously and treat our team members, customers, and patrons with respect and sensitivity. We embrace inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. We recognize our responsibility to be an open, welcoming, and anti-racist organization where students, artists, staff, trustees, and volunteers of all backgrounds collaboratively learn, work and serve. We nurture the growth and understanding of how each of us fits into the larger picture and we celebrate organizational achievements.
• PATRON-CENTERED: Our patrons (subscribers/supporters/donors/stakeholders) are at the center of all we do and are at the top of our minds in our decisions and actions. Our patrons are delighted by the excellent customer service they receive at every interaction at Houston Ballet.