The Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation is announcing a grant for an internship programme as part of the Uzbekistan National Pavilion at the 19th Venice Contemporary Architecture Biennale in 2025. Interns will get an experience working as exhibition staff, overseeing the day-to-day running of the Uzbekistan Pavilion throughout the Biennale, which takes place from 8 May to 23 November 2025.

Who Can Apply

This internship programme is intended for students and graduates of Uzbekistan universities. It is particularly suited to those who are passionate about architecture, art, curating, arts management, and art history, and who wish to gain valuable work experience at an international design event.

What Does this Internship Offer?

The internship provides a unique opportunity to work at the Venice Biennale and gain hands-on experience of how major international events are organised. Alongside this international experience, interns will be able to visit over 80 national pavilions, offering them an insight into the latest ideas in contemporary architecture and design.

Responsibilities

Interns act as exhibition staff and mediators at the Uzbekistan National Pavilion, located in the heart of the historic Arsenale area in Venice. Their duties include:

● Welcoming visitors and providing information about the exhibition, Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, and contemporary art, both individually and in group tours
● Recording visitor statistics and conducting visitor surveys
● Collecting journalists’ contact details
● Opening and closing the pavilion each day
● Working with the local technical team to ensure the pavilion is well maintained
● Occasionally producing short texts and photographs for social media
● Compiling regular reports on the pavilion
 
 
Internship Dates

The internship lasts for 3.5 months and is divided into two periods:

1. 5 May – 10 August 2025 (two interns)
2. 11 August – 23 November 2025 (two interns)
Interns will be supported on-site in Venice by a local supervisor, and in Uzbekistan by the exhibition project manager.
The Pavilion is open to visitors six days a week, Tuesday to Sunday (with some exceptions), from either 11am to 7pm or 10am to 6pm. Interns are expected to work around 37 hours per week.

Before travelling, all interns will be invited to an online induction session to familiarise themselves with their duties, as well as with the context of the Biennale and the city of Venice.

What Does the Grant Cover?

● A stipend of UZS 56,500,000 for the full internship period, which includes the cost of accommodation
● One return flight from Uzbekistan to Venice
● Free access to the Biennale exhibitions in the Arsenale
● Accommodation – the stipend includes an allowance for housing near the Arsenale (a one-minute walk from the entrance). By signing the contract and accepting the internship, interns commit to paying rent. If interns choose to arrange their own accommodation independently, the Fund is not obliged to reimburse those costs.

Requirements

To be eligible, candidates must:

● Be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan
● Have a strong knowledge of Uzbek culture
● Have excellent written and spoken English skills (additional foreign languages, especially Italian, are advantageous)
● Be studying or have graduated from faculties of architecture, applied arts, art history, design, cultural studies, or have relevant documented experience in these fields
● Ideally have experience working on exhibition projects related to architecture or art
We value the ability to work independently in an international environment, engage actively with visitors, adapt to a dynamic workplace, and communicate effectively with the Fund’s team. Conditions can change rapidly, for instance due to weather, high visitor numbers or additional events.

How to Apply

By 23 March 2025 at 11:59 Tashkent time, please send the following to biennale@acdf.uz:

● A motivation letter (about one page) explaining why you are applying for this internship and outlining your strengths
● A CV (in a single PDF file) in English
● A link to a short video introduction of yourself in English
Please name your PDF file as Surname_Firstname, and include “Internship at the Venice Architecture Biennale” in the subject line of your email.

In your motivation letter, also indicate your availability and/or preferred dates (5 May – 10 August or 11 August – 23 November). We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.

Selection results will be announced on 28 March 2025 at 11:59 Tashkent time.