Hay Festival Academy
Hay Festival Academy is a skills development and practical apprenticeship programme for young people aged 18-25. It gives young people the opportunity to learn, train and practically experience how festivals and live events are created and produced from some of the industry’s most experienced events practitioners.
All participants are located at the heart of the Festival and not only have access to the core staff team but also benefit from events and meetings with visiting speakers and artists drawn from the Festival’s programme.
The Academy places an emphasis on practical training and development, ensuring that each participant develops a deep knowledge and understanding of their chosen specialism. All participants gain invaluable experience of working on an internationally renowned Festival over 11 days and are given an unequalled opportunity to put their skills into practice in a live and public setting.
Young people who’ve taken part in Hay Festival Academy have gone on to work in the events industry, write books, secure jobs in publishing and broadcasting and to enjoy careers in the wider creative and media industries. Some have even come back to work with us! If you would like to join us we would love to hear from you.
Support
Hay Festival Academy placements are unpaid but participants are provided with free accommodation (rooms in houses) in Hay-on-Wye, three meals a day and travel expenses to and from the Festival.
All participants are supported throughout their placement and encouraged to develop and extend their skills.
EVENTS MANAGEMENT
Each year Hay Festival attracts some of the world’s leading writers, artists and thinkers, to talk, share their thoughts and ideas and meet audiences. Ensuring guests are warmly received and well looked after during their stay has always been a crucial mission and one of the Festival’s key jobs.
All events management volunteers need to be attentive and helpful. In return, they get the chance to meet some amazing, creative people, and experience the daily running of a fast-moving international festival, where time-keeping is important and, above all, performers and audience leave having had a thoroughly enjoyable, stimulating and thought-provoking day.
Events management volunteers help out with a wide range of duties including meeting and greeting authors, assisting with book signings, hospitality in the green room, accompanying artists to events, stage management assistance, assisting illustrators and workshop leaders in the setting up and running of workshops and manning reception desks.
Who can apply?
We are looking for 23 young people between the ages of 18 and 25, who can demonstrate a passion for the arts and interest in events management. In return we can promise you an exhilarating 11 days, where you will not only get to meet some of the world’s leading writers and thinkers, but also make lifelong friendships.
All students are required to stay for the duration of the Festival: 22 May–1 June 2025
How to apply
Please send a copy of your CV and a short letter detailing your experience to summer@hayfestival.org
Deadline for applications is 4 March 2025 and we will let applicants know whether they've been successful as early as possible. If shortlisted, you'll need to be available for a short Zoom interview
If you have any questions or queries please do get in touch via the email above.
JOURNALISTS AND CONTENT CREATORS
Hay Festival speaks to a global audience of millions with followers and subscribers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, Blue Sky, X and LinkedIn eager to get the latest updates on what's happening.
Our Hay Festival Academy journalists and content creators are based in the Media Centre on the Festival site, and work with our team to tell the Hay Festival story across multiple platforms. You will help with tasks such as attending events and editing highlights, generating content for the Festival's social media platforms, facilitating interviews with authors and performers, and working with influencers across the programme.
The Media Centre is a creative space that provides invaluable experience for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the media. You must be an excellent communicator, highly motivated and organised.
Who can apply?
We are looking for three graduate students, up to the age of 25, who are eager to gain experience in the media and arts events.
Applicants will need to be available from 20 May–2 June (the 2025 festival dates are 22 May–1 June). Applicants will need to be available for the duration of the festival.
How to apply
Please send a CV, a short covering letter and example of your work to christopher@hayfestival.org.
Deadline for applications is 7 March 2025, and we will let applicants know whether they've been successful as early as possible. If shortlisted, you'll need to be available for a short Zoom interview
PRESS OFFICE
Over the 11 days of the Festival we welcome journalists, press and broadcasters from around the world, all eager to share their stories, articles and photographs of the festival with a global audience. Our Hay Festival Academy press officers are based in the Press Office on the Festival site, and work with our media team to help meet the needs of the world’s press. You will help with tasks such as greeting and helping journalists, confirming press accreditation, collating daily press reports, and facilitating interviews with authors and performers.
The Press Office is a hub of activity and provides invaluable experience for anyone interested in pursuing a career in press and publicity. You must be an excellent communicator, highly motivated and organised.
Who can apply?
We are looking for three graduate students, up to the age of 25, who are eager to gain experience in publicity and arts events
Applicants will need to be available from 20 May–2 June (the 2025 festival dates are 22 May–1 June). Applicants will need to be available for the duration of the festival.
How to apply
Please send a CV, a short covering letter and example of your work to christopher@hayfestival.org.
Deadline for applications is 7 March 2025, and we will let applicants know whether they've been successful as early as possible. If shortlisted, you'll need to be available for a short Zoom interview