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FAQ

The Venue Operations eXperience (VOX) program is a 4-month workforce development initiative designed for individuals interested in careers within live entertainment venues. It offers hands-on training, paid internships, mentorship opportunities, and networking to help participants build skills in areas like digital marketing, event production, live sound, and venue operations.
The program is open to individuals 18 years or older from underrepresented groups in the live entertainment industry, including BIPOC, women, gender-expansive individuals, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. Applicants should have a passion for live entertainment and an interest in careers at indie venues.
Applicants need to submit their application materials during the open application period. Applications are reviewed and scored by a scoring committee made up of venue owners, managers, mentors, workforce development experts and past program participants, using an internal rubric aligned with our mission. Interviews are then extended to top-scoring candidates.
Applications for the summer 2026 VOX program open on January 22, 2026, and close on February 22, 2026. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!
The VOX program offers:
- Interactive training sessions: 15 gamified workshops with an official NIVF certificate upon completion.
- Paid internships: 8-12 weeks at local indie venues.
- Mentorship: A personal mentor with industry experience.
- Networking opportunities: Connect with industry professionals.
Exciting news! Host venues for 2026 have been chosen across 10 cities in the United States. Stay tuned—official venue announcements are coming soon!
Digital Marketing (12-week placements):
- Chattanooga, TN
- Memphis, TN
- Nashville, TN
- Pelham, TN
In partnership with Nightlife United, two (2) host venues were selected for 8-week placements in:
- New York City, NY
- Brooklyn, NY
8-week placements for digital marketing, front of house ops, and/or production will be offered in the following cities:
- Walla Walla, WA
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Fort Collins, CO
- Denver, CO
- Tupelo, MS
Complete the online application form for your program of interest, linked below:
Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the committee. If selected for an interview/callback, you will be notified by the email that you registered with to schedule your interview. While we’re grateful for every application, we’re unable to offer individual feedback to applicants who are not selected.
Yes, the VOX program includes a part-time paid internship at a local venue, lasting 8-12 weeks depending on the program focus and location.
You will be paired with an experienced industry mentor who will guide you throughout the program, offering advice, support, and insights into the live entertainment industry. This is primarily virtual and scheduled between you and your assigned mentor.
Graduates of the VOX program have gone on to work jobs in multiple areas of live entertainment, including roles in digital marketing, event production, live sound, venue operations, and more. In fact, 86% of our most recent cohort (Summer 2025) went on to secure jobs in live entertainment following completion of the program.
The VOX program is designed to create equity and provide opportunities for individuals who may not have had prior experience in the industry. If you’re eager to learn and demonstrate potential, you can still be a strong candidate.
Formal education or industry experience is not required.
Applicant Review: February 23-March 13, 2026
Applicant Interviews/Callbacks: March 30-April 17, 2026
Applicants Confirmed & Notified of Status: April 20, 2026
Participant kickoff call: Wednesday, April 22nd, 3:30pm ET
Venue Host & Intern kickoff call: Monday, May 4th, 2026, 3:30pm ET
Participant check-in call: Monday, June 1, 2026, 3:30pm ET
Intro call with Mentors: Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 3:00pm ET
Participant check-in call: Monday, August 3, 2026, 4:00pm ET
Resume/Career Workshop: August 12-14, 2026 (1 hour, exact date/time TBD)
Gamified Training Dates:
Venue Prerequisite Studies: May 4-May 18, 2026
Venue General Studies: May 18-June 1, 2026
Venue Specialty Studies: June 1-July 13, 2026
Internship Dates:
Internship in host venue (National VOX participants): June 1-August 3, 2026
Internship in host venue (TN VOX participants): June 1-August 31, 2026
Graduation:
Virtual National Graduation: Friday, August 14, 2026, 3:30pm ET
Virtual TN Graduation: Monday, August 31, 2026, 4:30pm ET
Nope! The only age requirement is that applicants must be at least 18 years old, but there is no cap. We’re building a more vibrant, inclusive internship program that avoids biased structures and centers on diversity and equity, so candidates are evaluated on skills and potential, not preconceived notions or stereotypical requirements, such as being in college or of a certain age.
Yes! If you are selected, please reach out to info@nivf.org for more information on how to obtain academic credit for your participation. Please include any information you may have from your relevant course/college on internship requirements in your inquiry.
Gamified training applies game-like elements (points, badges, leaderboards, challenges) to non-game learning activities to boost engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention, turning subjects into interactive experiences with instant feedback and rewards, leading to better performance and skill mastery. It's more engaging than traditional lectures, offering self-paced, fun ways to practice complex skills in realistic scenarios.
Learn more about gamification at 1huddle.co/gamification/
For questions not covered in this FAQ, please review the individual application forms or visit the primary VOX landing page at nivf.org/vox to find the information you need. If your question remains unanswered, feel free to contact info@nivf.org for all VOX-related inquiries. Kindly refrain from reaching out to host venues directly for program details.