Fellowships

About Us: 

Mississippi Votes (MS Votes) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of intergenerational synergy centering and led by young people invested in the progression of Mississippi. We do this through our programming and outreach strategy that empowers young people, encourages civic engagement, and educates communities on voting rights through place-based, grassroots organizing. Our vision is to cultivate a transformative culture of civic engagement throughout the state of Mississippi.

Overview:

Mississippi Votes is the political home to thousands of young folks across the state. We believe Art and Activism are a winning combination for engaging and mobilizing the upcoming generation of voters throughout the election season to cater to their needs. 

Now, we are ready to take our commitment further by releasing The Future: #Up2Us Mixtape in the Summer of 2024. We will house the production of the mixtape under a fellowship called “Arts and Activism” as part of a research project we are doing in collaboration with the Ohio Student Association and the Harvard Ash Center.

The Arts and Activism Fellowship available positions are project manager, artist in residence, filmmaker, and visual artist.

Mississippi Votes will hire a project manager (12 months) at $30K to manage the project. The project manager will:

• Facilitate trainings and learning sessions for participants
• Documents process and has conversations with artists about their learning
• Coordinates interviews with artists for documentary
• Reports directly to the Communications Director 
• Runs point on all communications with project participants
• Responsible for carrying out MSV’s vision of the project

Mississippi Votes will choose a total of six (6) Mississippi artists (singers, rappers, poets) to become ‘Artists in Residence.’ The Artists in Residence will:

• Participate in 6 weeks of political education (PE)
• Engage in 4 weeks of writing/crafting their piece(s)
• Have access to 6 weeks of studio production time
• Artists are also required to participate in at least 2 Mississippi Votes' Events as volunteers throughout their residence

*Artists in Residence will receive a stipend of $10K for full participation in the program.

Mississippi Votes will also curate a creative fellowship opportunity for a filmmaker and visual artist (photographer or painter). These fellows are considered full-time contractors during the duration of this project.

The filmmaker will:

• Capture highlights of MS Votes organizers throughout the year
• Capturing artists during the creative process
• Conduct artist interviews about their experiences in PE, music production and their involvement with MS Votes
• Compile and edit footage/stories and create documentaries centered around the story of MS Votes

The visual artist will:

• Participate in all PE activities and take photos or capture visuals from experience 
• Develop art and visuals for album cover
• Serve as historian for project 
• Create a piece that can be commissioned during the DIA Convening in 2024

*Filmmaker and visual artist are required to attend all 4 MS Votes events as volunteers. 

*Filmmaker and visual artist will be paid a $15K stipend for full participation.

Additional information: 

For more information please feel free to visit our website: www.msvotes.org. 

How to apply:

Submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@msvotes.org via the form on the “Fellowships” page of our website: https://www.msvotes.org/opportunities/fellowships/

Mississippi Votes is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.

Young people, People of Color, and Womxn are strongly encouraged to apply.

Arts and Activism Fellowship Application

Mississippi Votes is looking for Interns for the Fall Semester at Millsaps College and Belhaven University. Interns must be Full Time Undergraduate Students or enrolled as a Graduate Student at either of the aforementioned colleges.

Application Deadline: September 29, 2023 at 11:59pm CST 

Internship Details:

MS Votes’ Fall 2023 Internship is an opportunity that engages and empowers young people attending Mississippi’s metropolitan area colleges and universities. This internship is jammed packed with travel opportunities and real experience working in the social justice realm. Participants will have the opportunity to work on projects and events from start to finish, work directly with the leadership staff of MS Votes, and of course, learn more about the organization through normal clerical, day-to-day work. Interns will gain skills such as, grassroots organizing, communications, data management and much more. Interns will deepen their political analysis through readings and various trainings.

Requirements:

• Must attend in-person orientation
• Must attend 3 political education trainings 
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to commit to 10 hours per week 
• Must be able to assist MS Votes with event
• Attend at least 2 weekend activities/events (must coordinate with MS Votes’ Executive Assistant)
• Self-motivated; Self-starter
• Task oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts
• Exceptional collaborative learning style
• Commitment to the mission of the MS Votes 

Duties and Responsibilities:

35% of the responsibilities are clerical/administrative; 35% is special projects; 

30% is training and leadership development

• Answer phone inquiries, direct calls, and provide basic information; oversee mail deliveries, packages, and couriers
• Perform clerical duties, take memos, maintain files, and organize documents; photocopy, fax, etc. as needed
• Assist in preparing information and research materials; create and maintain PowerPoint presentations
• Take notes and memos during meetings; type documents, drafts, and reports; sort and manage files
• Run general operations-related errands
• Manage databases and input information, data, and records
• Set up, break down, organize, and maintain conference rooms, training rooms, and meeting rooms; update company calendars
• Attend organization functions and networking events
• Update and post supervised social media and website content; respond to web correspondence, social media posts, and emails
•  Manage Pop-Up Voter Registration Events as requested
• Coordinate and/or assist with special projects as assigned

Benefits:

• Develop experience working on a wide variety of projects
• Gain exposure to a fast-paced, collaborative office environment
• Work side-by-side with Executive Director and Leadership Team of youth civic engagement organization
• Organize and attend company meetings and networking events

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much is the stipend and how often will I be paid? 

A: The Executive Director Interns get paid bi-weekly and hourly. 

Q: What if I already have knowledge of the training being offered? Do I have to attend? 

A: All training sessions are mandatory! You never know what ideas could spark during a training session. 

Required Readings & Writing

The political education of young people is a core value of MS Votes. Interns may be required to engage in reading circles with the MS Votes team but surely the Executive Director. Fellows may also be asked to produce blog pieces for MS Votes’ blog site and for public consumption during the duration of their internship. 

This year’s required reading for your cohort is:

How the Word is Passed, Clint Smith

Opportunities for Growth

Mississippi Votes’ commitment to the development of young people is true and vast. As opportunities present themselves, MS Votes will oblige any other development requests interns may have.

For Questions or concerns, please contact Cynthia Jones at cynthia@msvotes.org.

Fall 2023 Internship Application