Internship public relations

What is STUK?

STUK is a vibrant arts centre in the heart of Leuven, housed in a remarkable building featuring multiple stages, studios, an exhibition hall, a cinema, and a grand café. As House for Dance, Image and Sound, we present a diverse international programme with a focus on established artists, new voices, and experimentation. A sustainable residency program feeds the programming.

Description of the internship

How do you engage new audiences with the artworks, performances, and artists shown at STUK? How do you make room for their perspectives, questions, and experiences? STUK is looking for an audience engagement intern who is eager to help build an arts centre where encounter, conversation, and engagement take center stage. You will reflect on how to invite, welcome, and involve people in the conversation.

Internship period and working hours

• Period September to December 2026

• Working hours around 2 days in STUK + attendance at evening activities in the context of performances (average 1 activity per week)

• Flexibility Adjustments are possible by mutual agreement; working from home is also possible occasionally.

Job responsibilities and learning opportunities

You will work on various projects, including:

• Relaxed Performances: (This is a performance presented in a low-stimulus and accessible setting, so that even people who experience barriers during a typical theater visit feel welcome and comfortable.) You help find, invite, survey, and welcome target groups to dance performances in an accessible setting.

• Outreach to new target groups for our performances: We approach organizations and groups to engage new audiences at STUK. As an intern, you seek out these partners and invite them. We strive for a balanced collaboration, where we not only offer our performances but also listen to their wishes and create a tailored program.

• Pulse: Pulse is an active community of curious visitors who watch showcases by our residents and are invited to exclusive behind-the-scenes activities. As an intern, you play a key role in further developing this group: you invite new participants, welcome them, and, together with our audience worker, facilitate conversations and reflections with makers and curators. You contribute ideas on how we can make Pulse even more inclusive and interactive. Discussion Tables: After performances, we organize informal discussion tables where the audience reflects on the show with a drink in hand – using a discussion tool. As an intern, you will help make these conversations accessible and surprising, and experiment with new methodologies.

Where and with whom will you be working?

You are part of the Public Team (approximately 6 employees), which is responsible for public engagement, communication, volunteer management, and reception.

What can you expect?

• You will assist with planning activities, email correspondence, and maintaining contact details.

• Your ideas and perspective are appreciated; you will actively contribute ideas on how we can engage and involve our audience.

• You will find yourself in a vibrant house for dance, visual arts, and sound. In addition to a diverse program for the public, STUK is also a place where artists in residence come to rehearse, create, and share their work. You will therefore be working right in the middle of a lively artistic environment.

• This internship is unpaid, but in return, you can attend all performances and activities at STUK for free during your internship. Every workday, we provide a fresh lunch prepared by our chefs and volunteers. On evenings with a performance, you are welcome in the artists' kitchen, where you can join us for a hot three-course meal.

What do we expect?

• You speak Dutch and English.

• You closely monitor communication and planning while maintaining an overview.

• You actively seek contact with people and take diverse perspectives and needs into account.

• You help look for ways to lower barriers and make art more accessible to diverse audiences.

• You work independently, but also enjoy coordinating within a team.

• You treat other ways of life, backgrounds, and experiences with respect and curiosity.

Application & selection process

Send a brief cover letter and your CV (or another way you would like to introduce yourself) to sara.thewissen@stuk.be.

After your application, you will hear from us whether you are invited for an interview at STUK with our public relations officer Sara Thewissen. If the interview feels right for both parties and you are selected, we will finalize the administrative steps together and the internship can start.

We will review the first applications at the end of June 2026, but the vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Questions? Feel free to contact Sara.

Do you not (yet) meet all the above expectations, but are you very enthusiastic about this internship? Then do not hesitate to apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

STUK strives for a diverse and inclusive team. Everyone is welcome to apply, regardless of gender, skin color, origin, age, disability, religious beliefs, or educational level. We believe that a diverse group of colleagues and interns contributes to a richer perspective on art and society, and helps us make more thoughtful, inclusive choices.