Retail Intern Fall 2025 (Part-Time)

Why Cheekwood?

Working at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers you the opportunity to work for one of the most beautiful places in Nashville. Formerly the home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, Cheekwood now serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with period rooms and art galleries. At Cheekwood, you'll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles tailored to your skills and interests. Whether you're passionate about horticulture, art curation, historical preservation, or one of our many other career opportunities, you would have the chance to thrive and make a meaningful impact here. Working in such a place that cherishes its rich history, vibrant art scene, and serene gardens offers a unique blend of fulfillment and inspiration. You'll find yourself in a supportive environment where every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth, amidst the backdrop of picturesque setting.

Internship Description: 

The Cheekwood Holiday Market Internship offers a dynamic, hands-on opportunity for students or recent graduates to immerse themselves in the fast-paced world of seasonal retail. Set against the backdrop of Cheekwood’s beloved Holiday LIGHTS event, this internship is designed to provide a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to plan, launch, and operate a successful pop-up retail experience in a non-profit environment.

Interns will play a key role in the creation and execution of the Holiday Marketplace, a festive shopping destination that serves thousands of visitors each season. From organizing incoming merchandise and designing store layouts to staffing the shop and analyzing sales trends, interns will gain valuable experience across all phases of retail operations.

The Cheekwood Retail Internship enables students to contribute meaningfully to a high-profile event, collaborate with a creative and supportive team, and build a professional portfolio that showcases skills in merchandising, event planning, and retail strategy. Designed for those interested in retail management, marketing, event planning, or entrepreneurship, this internship offers a unique platform to grow your knowledge and make a real impact.

About Cheekwood’s Retail Department 

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is the 3rd highest-attended destination in Nashville, welcoming 400,000 visitors annually. At Cheekwood, the retail team oversees the operations of two gift shops on the property, The Garden Shop and The Museum Shop, along with seasonal pop-ups and the e-commerce store. From children’s toys, home décor, souvenirs, jewelry, art, and books, Cheekwood’s retail offering spans a diverse audience and has something for everyone. In addition to normal operation hours 9am-5pm Monday-Sunday, Cheekwood retail operates when The Gates are open for special events including 5pm-10pm for Holiday LIGHTS.  

Responsibilities and areas of focus (May be tailored to intern’s interests) 

Orientation & Merchandise Preparation

• Onboard to retail systems and processes (Lightspeed, Sling, Inventory).
• Organize incoming Holiday merchandise (tagging, receiving).
• Support early holiday signage production.
• Assist with unpacking, tagging, and storing product
• Participate in space planning meetings.

Holiday Shop Buildout 

• Track and organize Holiday inventory.
• Help with physical setup, fixture layout, and displays.
• Create merchandising maps or planograms.
• Draft/edit signage and prepare customer service zones.
• Shadow team during fall sales events (El Dia, Halloween).
• Assist in planning Holiday All-Staff Meeting logistics.

Store Launch & Operations 

• Staff the Holiday Marketplace (1–2 shifts/week).
• Monitor and restock displays, track fast sellers.
• Manage S’mores inventory.
• Document pictures through operation.

 Wrap-Up & Review 

• Assist with markdowns and signage updates.
• Track inventory adjustments.
• Document merchandising learnings.
• Create a visual portfolio and participate in final review.

Hours/Time Commitment 

• Minimum 15 hours/week for up to 12 weeks (maximum of 25 hours/week).

Education

• Junior or Senior at the undergraduate level or recent grad.

Areas of Study

• Retail Management/Consumer Studies
• Communication
• Business Administration
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management
• Merchandising

Part-time Benefits

• Membership & Discounts: As an employee, you receive a Cheekwood membership, which entitles you to unlimited admission during regular Garden hours and a limited number of free tickets to special events. Members also receive discounts, classes, ticketed events, and purchases at the Gift Shop. Your Cheekwood membership also include reciprocal admission for named members to more than 300 gardens though the American Horticultural Society. 
• Reciprocal Admission: As an employee of Cheekwood you have free general admission access to various local cultural, historical, and art institutions as part of the employee admission program.  

Application Requirements 

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest with their resume, and a list of 3 references, at least one academic. Start dates may vary based upon department needs and schedule. To apply: https://cheekwood.org/about/join-our-team/. All interns will be required to undergo a background check.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Statement

Cheekwood is committed to embracing, pursuing, and celebrating inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility among our board, staff, leadership, partners, vendors, volunteers, members, supporters and visitors.

 We will be steadfast in our efforts to welcome people of all races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, political affiliations, ages and abilities. We recognize we have much work to do and pledge to pursue new and previously underrepresented ideas, artists, advisors, partners, instructors, innovators and audiences so that all voices can be heard, respected and supported.

**Cheekwood employees have an opportunity to participate in an active Diversity Committee promoting inclusivity and engagement.