Navigating Arts Internships: A Comprehensive Guide
Internships in the arts offer invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience, develop professional skills, and explore potential career paths. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of internship requirements and opportunities within the arts sector, drawing upon various programs and institutions.
Introduction to Arts Internships
Arts internships serve as a bridge between academic learning and professional practice. They provide a hands-on introduction to the non-profit arts sector and allow interns to contribute to the operations of arts organizations while developing their skills and knowledge. These internships are designed to influence equity in the arts leadership field, providing college students who have a career interest in arts, business, and community (social) change with a hands-on introduction to working in the non-profit arts sector.
Types of Internship Programs
Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery Internships
The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery offer two internship programs that coincide with the academic calendar: the Advanced-Level Program and the Summer Program. These programs have provided instruction and inspiration to over one thousand graduate and undergraduate students since 1968. Former interns have achieved success in professional positions in the art and museum fields, both nationally and internationally.
Advanced-Level Program:
- Target Audience: Graduate students and individuals interested in developing a career focus prior to attending graduate school.
- Duration: Thirteen weeks, during the fall and spring semesters, typically 20 hours per week.
- Stipend: \$4,550 per semester.
- Eligibility: Applicants should have some previous experience in an art or history-related organization. Applicants may be graduate students, exceptional college seniors, individuals with a four-year college degree (enrollment in an academic program is not required), or international students. Pre-doctoral candidates with little previous museum experience will be considered on an individual basis.
- Program Overview: This program provides participants with a comprehensive overview of museum operations by combining hands-on project experience with professional instruction. The program structure is designed to encourage and support interns’ career development. Over the course of the year, Advanced-Level Interns have the opportunity to participate in the work of multiple museum departments.
Summer Program:
- Target Audience: Primarily undergraduate students with little or no previous museum experience.
- Duration: Eight weeks, from early to mid-June through late July to early August, typically 40 hours per week.
- Stipend: \$2,800.
- Eligibility: Students with a four-year college degree and undergraduate college juniors and seniors (students completing their sophomore year at the time of application) may apply. Graduate students will be considered for this program on an individual basis. Students must be available for the full eight weeks.
- Program Overview: This program serves as an introduction to museum work. Interns in the Summer Program concentrate on one assigned department or office, compatible with their interests or career goals, instead of moving through different museum areas.
Application Requirements for Smithsonian Internships:
- A statement of purpose explaining personal career interests, the skills the applicant hopes to acquire, and why the Smithsonian American Art Museum has been chosen as a possible learning center.
- A resume detailing the applicant’s academic coursework and experience, paid or unpaid (a curriculum vitae will also be accepted).
- Official or unofficial transcripts from all schools attended above the high school level.
- Two current letters of recommendation, academic and/or professional.
All materials must be submitted via the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment system (SOLAA). Application materials received after the deadline will be waitlisted. Summer Program applicants will receive notice of their application status between late March and early April.
Important Information Regarding Academic Credit:
Students from all universities and colleges are eligible to earn academic credit from their home institution, in contractual arrangement with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. When an intern requires academic credit or graduation certification for their internship, SAAM requires the home college, university, or sponsoring organization to pay a Facility and Instruction Fee. This payment is in recognition of the highly structured program format, facilities, staff support, evaluations, and other services provided by the museum. The amount of this fee is a percentage of the tuition the student is paying to their home institution. If the student is receiving graduate certification as an integral part of the student's academic program, then the fee is determined by the length of the internship. For a semester-long internship, the facility and instruction fee may not be less than \$1,000. Students who wish to receive academic credit or certification must notify the Intern Program Officer at the time of application. Appropriate information and instructions will be provided. Approval of the Facility and Instruction Fee arrangement must be obtained from a supervisory staff member in the student's academic institution prior to the commencement of the internship.
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Diversity in Arts Leadership (DIAL) Internship
Designed to influence equity in the arts leadership field, providing college students who have a career interest in arts, business, and community (social) change with a hands-on introduction to working in the non-profit arts sector.
- Target Audience: College students from historically underrepresented populations with a career interest in arts, business, and community (social) change.
- Majors/Focus: Arts Management.
- Location: New York, New Jersey.
- Program Dates: Summer.
- Note: DIAL is paused for 2023 and will resume in 2024.
FOR-SITE's The Guardhouse Program
Launched by FOR-SITE, The Guardhouse Program invites three artists each year to activate a former military guard station at the main entrance to Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, presenting new work that responds to the natural and cultural significance of the site and its surroundings. Artists are invited to propose their ideas for the creation of new work highlighting the natural and cultural significance of the site and its surrounding areas. Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture is visited by 1.4 million annually.
Eligibility and Application:
- Artists must be available to participate in The Guardhouse Program this spring (with an installation in summer) and/or this summer (with an installation in fall).
- Selected artists will work closely with FOR-SITE to develop their proposed ideas and create new artwork designed specifically for installation inside The Guardhouse, which is a 100-square-foot, freestanding building.
The Groundlings Theatre Internship Program
The internship program is designed to give students experience in office work, research, collaboration, marketing, and professional theatre development. The benefits of learning to work with other departments and thinking on your feet will give students better communication, time management, informed decision making, and understanding of the professional work environment and etiquette.
Internship Tasks:
- Sales reports using Tessitura, a theatre software program
- Marketing outreach
- Editing show programs for errors
- Working with the general public at shows, taking tickets and answering questions for patrons
Internship Perks:
- Free tickets to Main and Sunday Company shows
- One free class (based on availability and section)
Internship Details:
- The internship program is 10-12 weeks, approximately 24 hours per week.
- Students with customer service and/or theatre experience are a plus.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts - ABT Gillespie School Internship
The ABT Gillespie School intern will assist with projects related to the school’s Spring events and learn the day to day tasks which include learning Tessitura, an order management software. The intern’s responsibilities will include general administrative duties and participation in the annual Showcase.
Internship Requirements:
- Interns must be 18 years of age or older.
- Interns must be registered for credit from their college institution.
- Interns must be able to complete a minimum of 120 hours during the 12-week internship.
- Interns must be available to attend professional development sessions from 2pm-3pm on Fridays.
- Interns must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by the start date of the internship. Segerstrom Center for the Arts will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified interns with disabilities or for a sincerely held religious belief.
YoloArts Education Internship
The Education Intern will assist the Education Manager with the YoloArts Field Trip program, develop lessons, tours, educational engagements, and light clerical duties pertaining to YoloArts’ Education department as needed. YoloArts connects artists with their community to create vitality, emotional and intellectual enrichment, and fun. The Barn Gallery is YoloArts’ newest exhibition space located at the Gibson House and Property and The Gibson House and Property serves as the county resource for the discovery of and engagement with the historic and evolving practice of regional arts and culture.
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Essential Functions:
- Participate in YoloArts’ Training Program (3-4 days)
- Work with Education Manager to Develop Field Trip Curriculum for rotating Exhibitions
- Work Field Trips Tuesday-Thursday Mornings 9am-1pm
- Set Up & Breakdown of Field Trip Activities
- Lead Tours of Barn Gallery, House, and Property
- Lead Hands-On Activities
- Communicate with Classroom Teachers, School Administrators, & Parent Volunteers
- Assist Education Manager with Clerical Duties as needed
L.A. Louver Gallery Internship
L.A. Louver is seeking an Intern to lend general support to its team. This is an ideal role for a student or recent graduate who is interested in an entry-level or early career opportunity to learn more about overall art gallery operations. Candidates must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, be detail-oriented and thorough by nature, and possess excellent judgment.
Responsibilities:
- Front desk duties - answering phones, greeting and receiving visitors and vendors
- Basic administrative functions
- Database and contact maintenance
- Organizational projects
- Event support - managing RSVPs, vendor coordination, general day-of assistance
Additional Opportunities (based on interests and skills):
- Writing & social media
- Research & archive
- Sales support
- Photography, videography, and digital asset management
Internship Details:
- The preferred term of the internship is May - August 2022.
- The rate of pay is \$16 per hour.
- Hours will not exceed 28 per week.
Marketing Internships
Interns receive hands-on experience in a variety of marketing tasks and are exposed to the process of creating and implementing the Center’s marketing and public relations strategies. A marketing internship may involve such tasks as managing the distribution of promotional materials, trafficking materials and projects, promoting productions at community events, attending department meetings, assisting with media relations, participating in social media efforts, maintaining records, conducting market research, and other administrative duties.
Internship Basics:
- All internships are paid.
- Internships require an average of 10 hours per week over 12 weeks (120 hours total).
- Internships offer academic credit.
- Each semester includes professional development sessions.
- Internships offer hands-on work experiences and opportunities to build a professional network.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Interns must be registered for credit from their college institution.
- Interns must be able to complete a minimum of 120 hours during the 12-week internship.
- Interns must be available to attend professional development sessions.
Ambassador Summer Internship Program
The Ambassador Summer Internship Program is an internship program for students currently enrolled in college. Program participants gain experience in high-demand occupations to attract San Antonio's graduating professionals to career opportunities within the local community.
Key Aspects:
- Participants gain experience in high-demand occupations.
- The program aims to attract graduating professionals to career opportunities within the local community.
- Interns get paid through direct deposit.
- Full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including reasonable accommodations.
General Internship Requirements
Regardless of the specific program, most arts internships share common requirements:
- Age: Most internships require applicants to be at least 18 years of age.
- Enrollment: Many internships require current enrollment in a college or university, often for academic credit.
- Hours: Internships typically require a minimum number of hours per week, often around 10-20 hours, for a set number of weeks.
- Skills: Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills are highly valued.
- Background: Some internships may require a background check or specific immunizations.
- Work Authorization: U.S. work authorization may be required for some programs.
Application Process
The application process for arts internships typically involves submitting a resume, cover letter, and transcripts. Some programs may also require letters of recommendation or a portfolio of work. It is essential to carefully review the specific requirements for each internship and submit all materials by the deadline.
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