Programs Education internship

For seven decades, World Press Photo has been working from its home in Amsterdam as an independent, non-profit organization. Our mission is to support photojournalists, documentary photographers, and audiences worldwide to deepen understanding, promote dialogue, and inspire action.

The Programs department organizes the annual World Press Photo Contest, Winners’ Program, professional education initiatives, visual thinking and community outreach activities. The foundation organizes the 2026 Joop Swart Masterclass, its best-known educational program for emerging photographers in the field of documentary photography, photojournalism, and visual storytelling. Launched in 1994, the Joop Swart Masterclass invites 12 photographers from all around the world to develop a project, and develop the tools to make a viable career in photography. It takes place online from June to October, and in person in November.

As a Programs Education intern, you will be closely involved in the support and coordination of the masterclass and other programs. The internship will give you hands-on experience with insight into organizing educational activities, event planning and management (online and offline), and insights into documentary photography and photojournalism. You will also get to meet professionals in the photographic community: from photographers and curators to photo editors and festival directors.

We are looking for a motivated intern to join the Programs team for six months, starting in August. 

Responsibilities

Programs and education support

• Day-to-day administrative support 

• Supporting development and implementation of education activities

• Assisting in the preparation of education and outreach events, online and offline

• Conducting research to support projects

• Communicating and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders

• Managing the general inbox

• Updating photographer databases

Event production

• Support the planning, logistics and implementation of the Joop Swart Masterclass leading up to and during the Masterclass in November.

• Working with vendors, researching program ideas, drafting and sending out invitations, tracking RSVPs, reaching out to target groups, assembling materials and content

• Assisting and collaborating with different teams to make the event a success

• Liaising with different stakeholders, which may include suppliers, partners, photographers etc.

Contest support

• Providing support for contest entrants

• Processing registrations and contest entries

• Setting up and assisting with online and live judging sessions

• Supporting communications around the contest, including mailings and the announcement of winners
  

Your profile

• You are currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program

• You have a strong interest in photography, media and/or arts and culture

• You are a quick-thinking self-starter who has the ability to multitask

• Motivated, flexible, and able to work under pressure and deadlines

• Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills

• You are fluent in English, both written and spoken. Additional languages would be an advantage.
  

We offer:

• An internship in a dynamic, highly purpose-driven environment with a variety of tasks and responsibilities.

• Insight into the core activities of World Press Photo, including contest organization, judging, education programs, communications, exhibitions, and the Winners’ Program

• Hybrid working possibility.

• Compensation of €500 (net/full time) per month, plus travel or home-working allowance when applicable
  

This internship runs from the end August 2026 to February 2027 (32–40 hours per week). During peak program and event periods, occasional evening or weekend work may be required, with compensation time provided.

This position is open only to EU citizens or individuals with a valid EU work permit.

How to apply

Please respond in English before 15 July 2026 by filling in the application form. Submit both your CV and a letter of motivation as PDF documents. Interviews will take place in the last weeks of July. You can start your application by clicking the button "Apply now".

For questions, please contact: education@worldpressphoto.org with any questions.