Summer Opportunities in the Arts
Work in the arts this summer through a Stanford-sponsored internship
Summer Internships in the Arts (SIPA)
→ Pre-Arranged Internships
The Summer Internship Program in the Arts (SIPA) provides invaluable experience to Stanford students interested in pursuing careers as arts professionals in various aspects of administration, production, and management through pre-arranged placements. These internships give students an opportunity to step outside the classroom and build a set of skills applicable in their careers as artists, administrators, and future leaders.
SIPA is administered by the Office of the Vice President for the Arts.
IDA Community Arts Fellowship
→ Self-Designed Internships
Community Arts Fellows (CAF) have the opportunity to spend a summer working full-time in the areas of curating, presenting, outreach and/or arts education with a focus on racial/social justice issues. Fellows may work in the United States or abroad. Applicants must propose their own placements with organizations with whom they have corresponded before the application deadline.
This fellowship is administered by the Institute for Diversity in the Arts and the Haas Center for Public Service.
Global Studies Internships
→ Pre-Arranged Internships
The Stanford Global Studies (SGS) Division offers Stanford students an opportunity to extend classroom learning to immersive, cultural and professional experiences through the Global Studies Internship Program.
The following arts-related opportunities are available for summer 2020:
- Gaiety School of Acting-National Theater School of Ireland (Dublin, Ireland)
- Gagosian Gallery (Paris, France)
- Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia)
- teamLab (Tokyo, Japan)
- Lalela (Cape Town, South Africa)
All three of these programs are part of the Cardinal Quarter program which offers more than 500 opportunities through which Stanford students pursue a full-time summer or quarter-long public service experience with Stanford support.
About SIPA Pre-Arranged Internships
The Summer Internship Program in the Arts (SIPA) offers pre-arranged internships in arts organizations in the following regions: SF Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Eligibility and Funding
- Open to all current Stanford undergraduates, including graduating seniors and co-terms.
- Priority will be given to students who have not previously participated in SIPA.
- SIPA internships generally last approximately nine weeks and are full-time positions of at least 35 hours per week.
- Students will receive a base stipend of $6,500 for the summer, plus financial aid if needed.
- For international students: Stipend will be paid through Stanford. Contact the Bechtel Center to review any additional paperwork/authorizations that may be required in order to participate.
Eligible students can apply to either one SIPA opportunity or the IDA Community Arts Fellowship (CAF) in 2020. You cannot apply to both SIPA and CAF, nor can you apply to multiple SIPA internships.
Contact
Sabrina Wilensky
Manager of Grants and Programs
Office of the Vice President for the Arts
swilensk@stanford.edu
If you need a disability-related accommodation and/or need to receive any internship information/application in alternate format, please contact the Diversity & Access Office at, at phone: (650) 725-0326 or email: disability.access@stanford.edu.
How to Apply
All applications must include the following:
- Basic applicant info (Name, SUID#, Stanford email, major/program)
- Personal statement (3 Questions)
- Why are you interested in pursuing this particular opportunity?
- How have you prepared for this opportunity and what do you anticipate will be your biggest challenge?
- How will this opportunity contribute to your academic success and professional and/or personal development?
- Resume (as a PDF)
- Unofficial transcript (as PDF)
- Reference: Name of a reference who can speak to your professional qualifications; letters are not required. (We may contact your reference in certain cases and they should be prepared to write/speak on your behalf should the need arise.)
- December 2019: Preliminary list of Summer 2020 opportunities published online
- January 8, 2020: Application Opens
- January 24, 2020, 12:30-1:30pm : Info Session at Roble Arts Gym (Roble Gym, Room 116, 375 Santa Teresa St)
- February 4, 2020 @ 11:59pm (Pacific): Application deadline
- mid February 2020: All applicants notified of their current status (moved ahead to interviews or not selected)
- mid Feb/early March 2020: Organizations interview top candidates.
- early/mid-March 2020: Finalists notified. (This date is subject to the partner organization’s internal decision-making timeline.)
- Finalists will have up to 48 hours to accept/decline an internship offer
- April 2020: Finalists complete participation agreement and online orientation
- May 2020: Stipends paid via Student Financial Services
- June-July 2020: Internships begin
- August-September 2020: Internships conclude
Eligible students can apply to either one SIPA opportunity or the IDA Community Arts Fellowship (CAF) in 2020. You cannot apply to both SIPA and CAF, nor can you apply to multiple SIPA internships.
You are encouraged to consider the following when selecting a program/opportunity:
- What skills do you want to learn during the internship? Which opportunity addresses some or all of these skills?
- Do you have a geographic preference for your internship?
- For SIPA pre-arranged internships: Is there an organization on the list that you've never heard of? Don't immediately rule it out--review the organization's mission statement, website, programs. You may find that it aligns with your interests.
- For CAF self-designed internships: Do you have an existing relationship with the host organization?
This year, the IDA Community Arts Fellowship (CAF) and SIPA are sharing the same application form. Eligible students can either apply to CAF or SIPA (not both).
In addition to the main application form, CAF applicants will be required to submit supplemental materials that are specific to the program. Instructions are available within the application.
- Contact BEAM
- Review our arts-specific resume and personal statement resources
SIPA Summer 2020 Opportunities
Category Definitions
- ARTS MANAGEMENT: The operational and managerial tasks required to sustain arts organizations. Internship areas could include development (i.e. fundraising, event planning, grant writing), marketing, finance, human resources, legal, information technology/web services, and more.
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Programs and activities that engage communities. Internship areas could include public programs, membership engagement, volunteer training, education programs, community organizing, leadership development, and more.
- CURATORIAL: Research, management, preparation, and interpretation of works affiliated with an institution (such as, but not limited to, museums, estates, and libraries). Internship areas could include research, exhibition development, public programs, developing interpretive materials (wall text, guides, tours, etc.), cataloguing/digitization, art handling, conservation, and more.
- LITERARY & ARTISTIC: Developing various forms of media (i.e. literary, performance, film/media). Internship areas could include publishing, reading and evaluating manuscripts, casting, production planning, archiving materials, research, social media content creation, pitching projects, and more.
Organization Name Mission Statement Organization Website Location of the Internship (City and State) Internship Position Title Internship Description Eligibility and Requirements (qualities/skills) Eligibility Ideal Start/End Dates Region Category Cardinal Quarter Eligible
Akashic Books
Akashic Books is a Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction by authors who are either ignored by the mainstream, or who have no interest in working within the ever-consolidating ranks of the major corporate publishers.
http://www.akashicbooks.com
Brooklyn, NY
General Intern
We don’t have formal “departments” at Akashic, so our interns have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of tasks—ranging from editorial to publicity/marketing to production (and everywhere in between)—over the course of a season. Given the nature of independent publishing, a significant portion of the internship is spent dealing with the nuts-and-bolts nitty-gritty details and administrative aspects of running a small business. For example, all interns are expected to prepare and fulfill mailings each day they are in the office. That said, we do try to tailor the internship as best we can to our interns’ strengths and interests.
Primary responsibilities for this internship include reading and evaluating manuscripts for potential publication; inputting copyedits using Adobe InDesign; conducting research to build our various databases; fulfilling all mailings and Internet orders; writing original content for our website; e-book/production work as needed; drawing up social media campaigns optimized for multiple platforms (Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook) as needed; and general office tasks.
Ideal candidates are self-starters who can work independently and collaboratively; have excellent writing, research, and communication skills; are creative thinkers; and have a strong interest in contemporary literature and independent culture. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite (in particular InDesign & Photoshop) a plus, though not required.
#REF!
Jun 15-Sep 04
New York
Literary & Artistic
No
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)
American Conservatory Theater nurtures the art of live theater through dynamic productions, intensive actor training in its Conservatory, and an ongoing engagement with its community.
http://www.act-sf.org/
San Francisco, CA
Artistic Intern
The artistic intern will get to experience the full range of A.C.T.'s artistic department. They will help facilitate (and get to watch) professional auditions, help maintain A.C.T.'s casting and script databases, read scripts submitted to A.C.T. and provide coverage for the artistic team, assist with dramaturgical research for actor packets, and assist with producing readings, workshops, and events. They will also assist with some basic administrative tasks, and they may have the opportunity to work as a production assistant on one of the summer shows in A.C.T.'s conservatory. As part of the artistic team for the summer, the artistic intern will have access to complimentary tickets to many shows around the Bay Area, and they may asked to attend specific shows and provide coverage/feedback to the artistic team.
The ideal Artistic Intern is a fast learner and an organized and efficient individual who is eager to take initiative and willing to maintain sensitivity to the demands and complexities of the Artistic Department. Successful applicants are pragmatic and ambitious and demonstrate experience in and eagerness to learn more about theater production and theater history, as well as excellent research, writing, and communication skills. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Filemaker Pro is helpful, but not required. A working knowledge of classic plays as well as contemporary American work is also helpful.
#REF!
Jun 15-Aug 21
Bay Area
Literary & Artistic
Yes
Madison Wells Media
At Madison Wells Media (MWM), we believe in stories that endure - this truth drives us to inspire and enable storytellers to create bespoke content where it can be most impactful - movie theaters, a mobile device, through a VR headset, live or wherever else the future may hold. We are MWM, and we are story driven.
http://www.madisonwellsmedia.com
Los Angeles, CA
General Intern
Duties include but are not limited to: assisting and participating in film development: reading and covering scripts weekly, participating in our weekly Intern meetings where discuss landscape of the industry including: weekend box office, recently released and upcoming films. Interns will complete a production pitch PowerPoint presentation and present it to several staff at our company. Interns will conduct film research projects including making updates to our writer and director lists. We will assign other educational tasks that include teaching entertainment industry standards, anywhere from industry phone-etiquette/lingo, what to do and say when people try to submit unsolicited submissions either in person or over the phone, best practices when dealing with high profile guest/visitors who come for meetings, and how to create and submit expense reports
Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
#REF!
Jun 15-Sep 04
Los Angeles
Literary & Artistic
No
Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its programs, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film, media, and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work.
http://www.sundance.org
Los Angeles, CA
Feature Film Program Intern
Considerations: Must be able to commit to 35 hours per week, M-F. Sundance Institute has a Work from Home Fridays program typically during the summer months.
Learning Goals/Objectives: By participating in the artist review process for the annual Development Track (which supports projects in the screenplay development stage) and Catalyst Forum (Sundance’s film financing program), this position will learn how to evaluate and provide feedback on work-in-progress screenplays and project packages actively seeking financing while gaining valuable administrative skills.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assists with the artist submission process for the annual Development Track and Catalyst Forum.
• Reads and provides coverage (written feedback) on submitted projects including work-in-progress screenplays.
• Maintains SurveyMonkey Apply submission database with required and updated information.
• Responds to general inquiries from the public about Feature Film Program activities.
• Researches and tracks up-and-coming artists as directed.
• Assists with planning for year-round department work and special projects as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements:
• Degree or working towards a degree in film, art, art administration, or related.
• General computer skills, including Google Apps and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Candidates must be proactive, detail oriented, and have analytical skills.
• Must have a strong interest in independent film and/or cable television.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills:
• Experience working with databases.
• Interest in narrative, independent storytellers working in the feature film and episodic story space.
#REF!
Jul 07-Aug 28
Los Angeles
Literary & Artistic
Yes
Joyce Theater Foundation
The mission of The Joyce Theater Foundation is to serve and support the art of dance and choreography, to promote the richness and variety of the art form in its fullest expression, and to advance the public interest in, and appreciation of, dance and the allied arts of music, design, and theater. The Joyce’s programs embrace the entire spectrum of movement styles and traditions, from the time-honored to the untried, and are designed to encourage, sustain, and educate a diverse audience.
The Joyce serves a broad-based national and international dance community and its audiences by providing an affordable, state-of-the-art performance venue; informal, rehearsal/performance venues with subsidized programs; optimal technical, administrative and financial support for dance companies and dance artists; and educational programs that enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of dance.
http://www.joyce.org
New York, NY
General Intern
Projects depend upon which department at The Joyce has the most need for an intern. While all departments will require general administrative support, past projects in Marketing have been: Support in summer festivals, creating marketing materials & community engagement. Development projects include research and preparation for fall fundraising events. Education projects include supporting end of year activities, family matinees & preparation for the new academic year.
Regardless of department the intern is assigned to, the applicant must have strong writing skills, an affable disposition, be a fast-learner and a self-starter.
#REF!
Jun 29-Aug 19
New York
Community Engagement
Yes
Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)
The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), a contemporary art museum, celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora.
http://www.moadsf.org
San Francisco, CA
Membership and Community Engagement Intern
MoAD has a unique opportunity for a Membership and Community Engagement Intern (MCE) position. This position will be a combination of design and membership engagement and marketing.
This internship is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in development, membership, and special events at a non-profit arts organization. Thinking from a campaign perspective, with a focus on generating promotional material and building on brand recognition, the MCE Intern will research various outlets for outreach and communication. By taking the lead from the Development department, the MCE intern will be dedicated to working in a collaborative setting, using the Museum, neighboring museums, and partner organizations for inspiration on design and graphics. Additionally, the intern will help to design and bring synthesis to a rapidly growing membership program in Northern California's only contemporary art museum exclusively dedicated to representing artists of African descent. Some late evenings required for special member events.
Projects may include, but are not limited to:
• Building the brand for MoAD’s major donor program
• Revamping major donor and planned giving web pages
• Integrating major giving and membership brand with paper templates, such as envelopes and letterhead
• Envisioning branded items for the Store, such as T-shirts, stickers, notebooks, pens
• Segmenting the visual elements for a Volunteer orientation video
• Strong design skills, especially using Adobe Creative Suite.
• Knowledge or Interest in arts management, the African Diaspora, and/ or museum studies
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communications skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
#REF!
Jun 15-Aug 21
Bay Area
Community Engagement
Yes
Public Theater
THE PUBLIC THEATER is theater of, by, and for all people.
About Public Works: Public Works is a major initiative of The Public Theater that seeks to engage the people of New York by making them creators and not just spectators. Each year, working with partner organizations in all five boroughs, Public Works invites members of diverse communities to participate in theater workshops, to attend classes, to become involved in the daily life of the Public, and, most importantly, to join in the creation of ambitious works of participatory theater. Pioneering a new model of engagement, Public Works is rooted in longitudinal, multi-year relationships with its community partners. Partners for the first six years of Public Works are Fortune Society (Queens), Brownsville Recreation Center (Brooklyn), DreamYard (Bronx), Military Resilience Project (all boroughs), Center for Family Life in Sunset Park (Brooklyn), Casita Maria (Bronx), Children's Aid Society (Manhattan), and Domestic Workers United (all boroughs). Under the leadership of Director Laurie Woolery, Public Works deliberately blurs the line between professional artists and community members to create theater that is not only for the people, but by and of the people as well.
These partnerships will culminate in a summer pageant production produced by Public Works which is an adaptation of a Shakespeare play at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This music theatre event will feature 100+ people from our 5 community partners, alongside acclaimed professional actors. Bringing professional artists from the Public Theater into the community, Public Works carries forward this theater's decades-long mandate to cultivate new connections and new models of engagement between artists and audiences.
http://www.publictheater.org/
New York, NY
Public Works Intern
The Public Works intern will assist the Public Works team on the administrative and community-related tasks associated with preparing for the production. They will aid in general arts administration, grassroots community organizing, and event planning. They will also be intimately involved in the rehearsal and performance process; Public Works interns provide steady, front-facing support to community members involved in the production, and are an absolutely vital part of the team.
The ideal candidate has exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and is organized, detail-oriented, and personable. We are also seeking interest in and/or experience with community-based arts, a deep sense of pride in their work ethic, and humor in a fast-paced, sometimes unpredictable theater environment.
Requirements: Applicant should have experience making theater and/or previous volunteer or work experience with a community-based organization. Interest in and familiarity with community-based theater/community organizing.
Encouraged: Experience working with young people, a previous position or internship with administrative duties in an arts or community-based organization; a second language, especially Spanish or Chinese, is helpful.
#REF!
Jun 15-Aug 21
New York
Community Engagement
Yes
YBCA
We believe that culture is an essential catalyst for change.
Therefore, it’s the responsibility of arts institutions to spur and support societal movement.
Our mission is to generate culture that moves people.
http://www.ybca.org
San Francisco, CA
Community and Civic Engagement Intern
The Stanford Summer Intern will assist with evaluation, research and planning for the 2020/21 school year. They will design and implement boldly imagined, creative projects that build and deepen relationships with community partners to enact positive change in our city. Through partnership with the most talented artists, community members and youth, the intern will help imagine ways for YBCA to fulfill our mission of generating culture that moves and inspires people to work together to make San Francisco a more inspired, equitable and connected city.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with people who have different life experience
• Cultural Competency
• Ability to work effectively both as a team member and independently
• Capacity to effectively manage multiple tasks under pressure of deadlines
• Experience with arts activism, community organizing and/or other activities of a socially engaged artistic practice a plus
• Basic Adobe Suite proficiency is a plus
#REF!
Jul 01-Sep 11
Bay Area
Community Engagement
Yes
Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco connects art to life. Our mission is to inspire new ways of thinking by connecting diverse communities to historical and contemporary Asian art and culture through our world class collection, exhibitions and programs.
http://www.asianart.org
San Francisco, CA
Curatorial Intern
The intern will be exposed to and will contribute to the development of exhibitions. This may include on line and library research, information organization, text proofing, and editing and contributing to the development of didactics and programs.
• Experience with library and on-line resources for Asian art research
• Experience with on or more Asian language
• Familiarity with one or more area of Asian Art History
#REF!
Jun 15-Sep 11
Bay Area
Curatorial
Yes
Cartoon Art Museum
The Cartoon Art Museum’s mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal.
Our vision is to be the premier destination to experience cartoon art in all its many forms from around the world, and a leader in providing insight into the process of creating it.
http://www.cartoonart.org
San Francisco, CA
Public Program Intern
The Public Programs Intern assists in the development, implementation, and management of dynamic programs for a diverse audience through various interpretative approaches to the museum’s collection and exhibitions. The intern works closely with the program coordinator and the curator to develop programs. The intern primarily focuses on programming linked to the upcoming exhibitions for the current season and the following two seasons.
In addition to Programs tasks, intern will work at admissions desk, greeting visitors, explaining the museum offerings, and handling admissions and retail sales transactions. The intern will gain an overall understanding of the workings of the company, become familiar with office systems, including telephones and computers.
Responsibilities:
• Write texts for programs as needed
• Assist in developing family guides, tours, lectures, and workshops for upcoming exhibitions
• Assist with scheduling educational group visits and workshops
• Research possibilities for the future growth of the education department
Please note: This internship is flexible so if an applicant is interested in the mission of the Cartoon Art Museum and what this organization is involved with please explain your other areas of interest outside of the description listed and this organization is happy to try and make the experience and learning at CAM suit specific areas of interest or study as needed.
• Must be able to prioritize, stay organized while multi-tasking and enjoy detail-oriented work
• Ability to meet tight deadlines, Reliability
• Independent thinking and problem solving, while being a hands-on team player
• Research skills
• Knowledge of Social Media and Microsoft Office helpful
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
#REF!
Jun 15-Sep 12
Bay Area
Curatorial
Yes
Cooper Hewitt
Cooper Hewitt educates, inspires, and empowers people through design. Part of the Smithsonian, it is the only museum in the United States that is exclusively devoted to historic and contemporary design.
http://www.cooperhewitt.org
New York, NY
Digital Collection Intern
Cooper Hewitt is embracing digital media in its collection and is prioritizing the need to grow its Digital Collection responsibly and thoughtfully. This includes born-digital work such as apps, interfaces, typefaces, visualizations, and digitally interactive projects to consumer electronics containing digital content.
The Digital Collection Intern will have a unique opportunity to work directly with the curator spearheading these efforts. The Intern will gain experience in the daily operation of the museum. Intern tasks will primarily consist of research (exploring topics such as the history of digital design, history of interface design, methods of display for digital objects, key practitioners, etc.); assembling dossiers for potential acquisitions; cataloguing existing Digital Collection objects; authoring blog entries; and more. The Intern will also participate in biweekly meetings with the Digital Acquisitions Working Group, a cross-departmental team that consists of curators, registrars, conservators, and gallery technicians.
This is a unique opportunity to gain professional skills and knowledge about developing and building collections in a collaborative museum environment. Digital Collections pose complicated questions to museums about preservation and future display, but it is a highly collaborative field for all institutions undertaking such work. The Intern will gain access to a number of departments across the museum through the course of the internship.
In addition to their professional activities, the Intern will attend meetings, lectures, and public programs at Cooper Hewitt and travel outside the museum to meet and connect with individuals and organizations that are integral to design and the arts of New York City.
Ideally, the Intern will have an interest and knowledge in digital and emerging media and technology. Intellectual curiosity is a major plus!
Required skills:
• Strong organization and attention to detail;
• Strong research skills;
• Strong communication skills;
• Knowledge of fine arts history, architectural history, social history;
• Some digital photography skills to take and record object data;
• Care and willingness to learn museum-level object handling skills (enabling more hands-on documentation directly with an object);
• Willingness to learn the museum’s database software, TMS.
#REF!
Jun 22-Aug 21
New York
Curatorial
Yes
Gray Area Foundation
Our mission is to apply art and technology to create social and civic impact through education, incubation and public events.
http://www.grayarea.org
San Francisco, CA
Marketing and Production Intern
An internship at Gray Area is a cohort-based experience where interns will gain a broad skill set applicable towards many different career types. During your internship at Gray Area you will join our small team and get hands-on experience working in a fast-paced nonprofit. The ideal candidate for a Gray Area internship is someone who is willing to be flexible and play an active role in helping Gray Area succeed. Interns will undergo a comprehensive orientation and training that will cover both marketing and event production responsibilities required for success within the internship. Interns should be comfortable working on a laptop as well as performing physical tasks. Gray Area’s Intern is a hard working individual that works well with a team, but can be a self-starter. The job is to assist the team with special projects, events, design tasks, internal organization, maintenance of systems coordinating social media, mailings, contact database, community outreach, and helps conduct reports on social media performance indicators and aids in strategic planning.
Excellent English language skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds
• Production experience
• Strong research abilities
• Sound/lighting experience
• Prior experience in project management, database maintenance, communications, and/or office administration
• Experience with project management software a plus
#REF!
Jun 15-Aug 21
Bay Area
Curatorial
Yes
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation fosters the legacy of Rauschenberg’s life and work. The foundation supports artists, initiatives, and institutions that embody the same innovative, inclusive, and multidisciplinary approach that Rauschenberg exemplified in both his art and philanthropic endeavors.
The foundation focuses on three major areas: 1) increasing public access to and scholarship of Rauschenberg’s artwork; 2) cultivating emerging and established artists through a residency program at a 20-acre campus in Captiva, Florida, formerly the artist’s home and studio; and 3) supporting philanthropic initiatives that connect art, culture, and creativity.
http://www.rauschenbergfoundation.org
New York, NY
Curatorial Intern
• maintain (physical) object files documenting Rauschenberg’s artwork
• (library) research for artist’s exhibition history and bibliography in preparation for a catalogue raisonné
• compile images and captions for Rauschenberg Oral History Project webpages
• preparatory research for in-house artwork installation related to a future academic collaboration focused on Rauschenberg and photography (bibliography, exhibition history, object research)
• research related to the market for gallery exhibitions and auctions
• assist in digitizing images, research, and archival materials
• work with curators and editor on writing assignments for the
foundation website
• work with collections manager to maintain the (digital) database
• Competent with Microsoft Office software suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) on Macs
• Competent with Photoshop, Preview, and Acrobat
• Familiarity with Filemaker database software (good asset, but not required)
• start and end dates are negotiable
#REF!
Jul 06-Sep 11
New York
Curatorial
Yes
Djerassi Resident Artists Program
The dual mission of Djerassi Resident Artists’ Program is to provide the gift of uninterrupted time to artists and preserve the 583 acres of wild coastal grasslands and redwood forest it occupies. We provide four-week residencies to working artists for 6 months of the year. Winter residencies of 1-3 weeks are offered to alumni artists. We also offer 6-8, 1 week fee-based workshops for writers, photographers, and dancers. Since its founding in 1979, the Program has provided residencies to more than 2400 artists from 53 countries and all 50 states at no cost to the artists.
http://www.djerassi.org
San Francisco and Woodside, CA
Executive Intern
This position will work closely with the Director of Development and Executive Director in all aspects of nonprofit arts leadership. This is an ideal position for a student looking to transition into the fields of arts management, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership. Tasks include marketing, program/event management, fundraising/database work, grant writing and relationship building with board members, volunteers, and funders. The Executive Intern will assist with the Program’s Annual Open House/Open Studios and other events as scheduled.
The ideal candidate should have proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Adobe and database systems such as Donor Perfect. Some website maintenance may also be required.
#REF!
Jun 29-Aug 21
Bay Area
Arts Management
Yes
Joan Mitchell Foundation
The Joan Mitchell Foundation celebrates the life of abstract artist Joan Mitchell by expanding awareness of her pioneering work and fulfilling her wish to support and provide opportunities for visual artists. Through grants, residencies, and related initiatives, the Foundation advances the work of today’s artists and amplifies their essential contributions to communities around the world.
http://www.joanmitchellfoundation.org/
New York, NY
Artist Programs Intern
The Artist Programs Intern works closely with the Joan Mitchell Foundation’s program team to provide administrative assistance and coordination for its artist-centered programs, which support contemporary artists. The primary focus of the internship will be support for Creating a Living Legacy (CALL) program, which provides information, tools and resources to prepare artists to honor and preserve a lifetime of work through intentional legacy planning, and advocates for the importance of such planning in the wider arts field. The programs draws on years of fieldwork with mature visual artists to document their careers, inventory works and develop plans to preserve their legacy.
The Intern’s primary responsibilities will include assisting Artist Program team members in the planning and implementation of two summer convenings bringing together artists and industry experts from across the country to engage in conversations to better understand needs, challenges and emerging practices in artist legacy planning and stewardship support for visual artists.
• Interest in and familiarity with the visual arts
• Familiarity and ease with Mac-based computer systems
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; previous experience writing professional correspondence a plus
• Familiarity with working with spreadsheets, databases and application platforms like Submittable preferred
• Proactive and solution driven
• Good listener
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Previous work experience preferred
Intern Role
Work as part of the Artist Program team to:
1. Support CALL convening planning and implementation including:
• Development of invitation list, meeting content and materials
• Event logistics including but not limited to participant rsvps, travel, onsite arrangements, catering
• Event attendance and on-site support; notes on discussion points, recommendations and next steps
• Participation in debriefing meetings with department staff
• Synthesize formative conversation findings for event report (including details about conversation development and program/implementation recommendations);
• Participant follow up
2. Support CALL program administration, which may include assisting with preparations for a CALL workbook re-release, CALL/VOCA talks planning, and CALL-related database support, as well as other departmental priorities as needed
3. Attend departmental staff meetings and Foundation-wide meetings and events
#REF!
Jun 15-Aug 21
New York
Arts Management
Yes
National Sawdust
National Sawdust’s mission is rooted in music discovery that is open, inclusive, and based in active mentorship of emerging artists, while building new audiences and communities of music devotees.
http://www.nationalsawdust.org
Brooklyn, NY
Assistant to the Artistic Producer
Tasks:
- Production support
- Workshop Scheduling
- Communication with Composers, NS Directors and Artistic team
- Music Library Editing (and listening)
- ASCAP online database updating
- Website updating - Events / Scores / Projects
- Vimeo updating
- Catalogue of media interviews
- Catalogue and follow up on score sales
Goals:
- Our goal is to develop your skills in working for a non-profit arts organization and artist incubator, as part of the Artistic team, and for an internationally renowned composer.
- We would like you to outline a goal that we can help you achieve during the internship!
#NAME?
#REF!
Jun 15-Sep 18
New York
Literary & Artistic
Yes
San Francisco Opera
Our vision is to crack the code in producing big art in the 21st century.
Our mission is to bring together growing audiences to experience the transformative power of opera.
http://www.sfopera.com
San Francisco, CA
Artistic Planning Intern
Assist with projects related to casting, season planning, and artistic operations.
• Knowledge of opera, classical music, theater, and/or other performing art forms
• Strong technical skills including MS Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint) and experience with computer programming and/or database software (Filemaker, Bento, Salesforce, etc.)
• Social media savvy on all major platforms with a background in content creation that drives user engagement
• Capacity to manage multiple projects and thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to interact with artists and staff professionally and handle confidential discreet matters with tact.
#REF!
Jun 15-Sep 15
Bay Area
Literary & Artistic
Yes
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
The mission of The Wallis is to create, present and celebrate unique performing arts events and educational programs that reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community, and provide arts education and opportunity to under-served communities throughout the greater Los Angeles area, using the power of the arts to build community and address pressing social issues.
http://www.thewallis.org
Beverly Hills, CA
Comprehensive Campaign Development Intern
The Comprehensive Campaign Development Intern will work closely with The Wallis’ Comprehensive Campaign Manager, focusing primarily on prospect research. The intern will build prospect profiles (including wealth screening data, historical giving to The Wallis, outside charitable giving, bio information, etc.) for major campaign prospects. Additionally, the intern will conduct research on existing annual fund donors and prospects pulled from patronage and guest lists from events such as our annual Spring Celebration. This work will be incredibly valuable to helping The Wallis deepen and grow the annual fund during the campaign period and identify major campaign prospects based on research findings.
Beyond her/his prospect research projects, the intern will also have the opportunity to grow her/his scope of work including, and beyond, the campaign by working with other members of the Development team on various tasks such as preparing meeting materials, helping prepare for committee meetings and events, and other miscellaneous projects.
The intern will become familiar with development work, prospecting, research tools like Wealth Engine, and gain campaign experience.
The intern must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Stanford in good academic standing. The intern should also have sufficient, relevant work experience and an interest in gaining hands-on experience in fundraising.
#REF!
Jun 22-Aug 28
Los Angeles
Arts Management
Yes
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
LACMA’s mission is to serve the public through the collection, conservation, exhibition, and interpretation of significant works of art from a broad range of cultures and historical periods, and through the translation of these collections into meaningful educational, aesthetic, intellectual, and cultural experiences for the widest array of audiences.
http://www.lacma.org
Los Angeles, CA
Development Intern
The Development division of LACMA expands across a variety of key functions within the museum's operations, including: Corporate & Foundation Partnerships, Annual and Individual Giving, Major Gifts, Strategic Development Services, and our Events team. These groups are responsible for raising critical funds to support the museum's exhibitions, collection conservation, educational programs (such as music, film and technology), special projects, and numerous annual events.
The Development intern will gain first-hand experience in each step of the overall development process from prospecting, to cultivation and solicitation, and all the way through to fulfillment of foundation grants/corporate sponsorships. The intern will also have the unique opportunity to experience LACMA’s Corporate Partners Evening and other special events.
This internship is appropriate for students currently enrolled in undergraduate studies with experience in communications, art history, business development, or marketing, and are interested in learning about non-profit arts development, specifically in a museum setting. Experience with a database management system such as Raiser’s Edge is preferred but not required.
#REF!
Jun 24-Sep 04
Los Angeles
Arts Management
Yes
SIPA Resources
I have already arranged an unpaid internship in the arts for this summer. Is SIPA able to provide the same stipend for me?
Congratulations on your internship! At this time, however, we are only able to provide funding for internships that are administered through either the SIPA pre-arranged positions or IDA's Community Arts Fellowship. If your self-arranged internship involves a service experience, we encourage you to explore some of the opportunities offered by the Haas Center. Depending on your department, there may be some funding available for an unpaid internship.
How many internships can I apply to through the Summer Internship Program in the Arts?
You may apply for one SIPA or CAF opportunity.
You may additionally for the following (managed by our campus partners) in addition to SIPA/CAF opportunities:
- up to two international arts internships through the Stanford Global Studies website
- the Cantor Arts Center Summer Internship Program
Are letters of recommendations required?
It depends on the opportunity. For CAF, a letter of recommendation is required. For all other internships, letters of recommendation are not required, though we do request that you provide the contact information for one professor or previous supervisor who has agreed to act as references. We may contact them in certain cases and they should be prepared to write on your behalf should the need arise.
Who may act as a reference?
References should come from professors or previous employers or supervisors who know you well. This can be from an on-campus job or organization.
Will more internships be added or is this the final group?
A few more internships may be added on a rolling basis as we are made aware of new opportunities. Feel free to continue checking the website.
I don't have any prior experience working in a museum/theater/film company/etc. Can I still apply to SIPA?
Absolutely! SIPA opportunities are designed to help you take the first step in exploring career pathways and develop a robust portfolio of experience. Make sure to review each internship description carefully to see if there are any specific subject areas that may be required (this is often the case for curatorial internships.) Many of our interns have found it helpful to have completed some coursework related to their internship field before the beginning of the summer. Our goal is to notify you by Spring Break of the final internship decisions; you can always take a preparatory course Spring Quarter before you start your internship.
When will I find out if I have been moved on in the process?
For SIPA opportunities, we will provide the top candidate applications to each partner organization in early March. Applicants will then be notified as to whether they have been moved on in the process or not selected.
What is the wait-list?
The application review committee team reads and considers every application, choosing the top 2-3 to send on to the partner organization to interview. Sometimes, however, the organization asks us to recommend other well-qualified applicants, which is when we would draw from the wait-list.
I was told that my SIPA application was sent on to the organization but was never contacted for an interview. What happened?
While we strongly encourage our partner organizations to interview each of the top candidates we send to them, please keep in mind that they each have their own internal process and may find that they are satisfied with selecting a candidate based on the materials provided.
When will I find out if I have been selected for a SIPA pre-arranged internship?
We ask that the partner organizations make all of their final decisions by the end of March. You will hopefully find out no later than April 1.
What if I have an offer from another internship or opportunity but haven’t heard back from SIPA yet?
If you have been interviewed by one of our partner organizations but have not heard back and need an answer by a specific date, you may politely email the person with whom you interviewed. Please keep in mind, however, that each organization has its own internal timeline and may not have made a final decision yet.
If you choose to take the other opportunity, please communicate your decision to both us and the partner organization.
The Haas Center for Public Service invites all students who meet the eligibility requirements below to apply for the Cardinal Service Notation. Applications are accepted twice per year, in Autumn and Spring quarters.
Students who complete the requirements for both the Cardinal Quarter and the Cardinal Courses need only apply under one of the categories. We encourage you to choose the experience that most influenced your overall education and experience here at Stanford, and share with us why in your academic integration statement.
Students are eligible for the Cardinal Service Notation after completing one of the following:
- Cardinal Courses: Students complete a minimum of twelve units in certified Cardinal Courses (students must take courses for a letter grade if offered), and receive a 3.0 or higher in all courses; or
- Cardinal Quarter: Students successfully complete a full-time (minimum 35 hours per week), quarter-long (minimum 8 weeks) public service experience.
Most of the opportunities available through SIPA are part of the Cardinal Quarter program!
- An integration of the internship experience with applicant’s academic, personal and/or career goals
- Prior demonstrated interest or involvement in the subject area while at Stanford, including related coursework, extracurricular activities, and independent projects
- A compelling match between applicant’s skills and interests and an organization’s work and needs
- Candidate is in good standing with the University. The review committee may consult other offices (such as UAR, ResEd, Office of Community Standard) when evaluating candidates.
- Before Your Internship (Spring Quarter)
- Attend a program orientation in May
- Research and secure housing for the duration of your internship
- Attend the workshops offered through Haas (such as ARTSINST 40 or "Engaging in Ethical Service") to help you prepare for your summer.
- Create a budget that covers all of your anticipated summer expenses. Don't forget: internship stipends are considered taxable income.
- International students: Verify your work authorization requirements. (Contact the Bechtel Center to check requirements.)
- During Your Internship
- Spending 35-40 hours per week for 8-10 weeks at the internship site, working on all assigned projects as determined by the internship supervisor
- Share learning plan with site supervisor and update accordingly
- Get to know your coworkers and network
- Complete a brief mid-summer report
- Participate in optional SIPAA cohort outings
- After Your Internship
- Complete a program evaluation, and correspond with internship donor(s) as requested by Stanford Arts staff
- Update your resume. Don't limit yourself to formal ("traditional") work experiences; highlight any transferrable skills from different types of work environments (e.g. customer service skills developed in retail or restaurant environments; familiarity with the needs of young children from babysitting/childcare; time management skills from participating in athletics or arts-related training; etc.)
- Research the organization hosting your preferred internship. Questions to ask yourself during your research:
- Why are you interested in this organization?
- What kinds of skills will you learn during the internship?
- What skills/knowledge can you bring to/share with the organization?
- How will this internship help you with your short-term and long-term goals (career, academic, otherwise)?
- Attend an info session to learn more about the program and ask application questions
Read through our application tips and FAQs for additional guidance.
- How-to videos for arts administration opportunities
- Your personal statement should speak directly to why you want to work for this specific position at this particular organization.
- Carefully review the organization's website. Pay particular attention to the mission statement, history, and program pages.
- Read the internship/fellowship description carefully and make a list of every quality or skill listed. Provide examples in your personal statement and resume of times you used those skills in related work.
- It doesn't have to be a direct connection--ex: if you didn't have experience working at a film company, you could list a class where you workshopped theater scripts or work you have you done that built related skills. Show you have the tool-belt to tackle the challenge.
- Provide context for your passion/enthusiasm for this particular industry and organization. How will this opportunity put you on track for your future goals?
- "I love film" isn't a strong point, but "I loved this film as part of this program of yours that relates to your mission and this is how this position with you which relates to my future goals" is better
- Proofread your application! Don't rely solely on spellcheck.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable review resumes and personal statements prior to submission. If you have questions about crafting your materials, please contact a BEAM Career Coach for guidance.
Resources from BEAM
Cover Letter/Personal Statement:
Resume:
Other Summer Opportunities in the Arts
Other Stanford Opportunities
The following programs are administered by Stanford departments/programs and offer pre-arranged and self-designed paid summer opportunities.
Get paid to work behind the scenes at the Cantor Arts Center. Interns gain experience in the museum field, enjoy weekly lunches with Cantor staff, and participate in field trips to Bay Area museums.
No experience required, but enthusiastic interest in art and museums is necessary. Internships are open to freshmen and sophomore Stanford students of all majors. You must be a Stanford student to apply.
Internships are approximately nine weeks and are 20 hours per week. Most positions will start Monday, June 25, 2018, but start and end dates can be flexible and negotiated between intern and supervisor.
Internships include a stipend to help cover living expenses, such as housing, food, and transportation. Housing is not provided by the museum.
This internship is administered by the Cantor Arts Center.
Internships are periodically available at the Anderson Collection. For more information, contact: Aimee Shapiro, Director of Programming and Engagement
Stanford Live often hires Stanford students who have a background and interest in the arts as interns on a quarterly or yearly basis. To see current openings and learn more, visit: https://live.stanford.edu/jobs-internships
The Community Service Work-Study (CSWS) Program provides academic year and summer employment opportunities for currently enrolled students who receive financial aid at Stanford. Eligible students have the freedom to design a service experience in collaboration with a partnering organization.
CSWS is a federally-supported program, co-administered for Stanford by the Haas Center for Public Service and the Financial Aid Office.
The fellowship provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to design and implement summer service projects resulting in tangible deliverables used to sustain service to a community. Fellows work to alleviate some of society’s most pressing concerns across the United States and in other countries. Projects vary in size and scope, work with diverse constituencies, and address a wide range of issues. Fellows may work in any field of interest.
This fellowship is administered by the Haas Center for Public Service
National Arts Internship Programs
The following programs are administered by arts organizations throughout the United States and offer paid summer internship opportunities.
The Los Angeles Department of Arts & Culture offers an Arts Internship program which provides undergraduate students with meaningful on-the-job training and experience working in nonprofit arts organizations. All currently enrolled undergraduate (2 or 4-year) and community college students who reside or attend college in Los Angeles County. Recent graduates may apply as long as they have completed their degree between May 1 - September 1, 2020.
Since 1993, the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship program has provided substantive, full-time work opportunities to 3,200 undergraduates, exposing them to potential careers in the arts. Aiming to encourage greater diversity in the professions related to museums and the visual arts, the program funds internships at cultural organizations across Los Angeles, including at the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. The Foundation's support enables organizations to host students in full-time, paid internships for ten weeks during the summer.
The internships are intended for outstanding students who are members of groups underrepresented in careers related to museums and the visual arts. Students gain experience in key areas such as curatorship, conservation, education, publications, and related programmatic activities. Candidates are sought from all areas of undergraduate study and are not required to have demonstrated a previous commitment to the visual arts.
Eligibility:
- Be of a group underrepresented in museums and visual arts organizations, including, but not limited to, individuals of African American, Asian, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent;
- Be currently enrolled undergraduates. Students must have complete at least one semester or two quarters of college by June 2019. Students graduating in May or June 2019 are also eligible. (Students who are enrolled in a second BA or BS program are not eligible.)
- Reside or attend college in Los Angeles County; and
- Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
Arts Intern provides opportunities for college undergraduates to learn about nonprofit arts professions through internships in museums and cultural institutions. The program seeks candidates with demonstrated financial need and encourages applicants from diverse cultural backgrounds. Interns work in meaningful positions in many different departments, including curatorial, education, marketing, development, collections, and special events. Outside of their host organization, Arts Interns also complete a significant educational and portfolio-building component.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Students must be enrolled full time as an undergraduate junior or senior in the Fall following the summer program. This means when you apply, you should be a rising junior or senior, or finishing senior year the following Fall.
- Students must have an Expected Family Contribution, of less than $5,000, as stated on your FAFSA.
- Students must meet the residency requirements. These are different for each of Arts Intern's five cities. To view the eligibility requirements, please see the instructions on how to apply at the bottom of each position in each respective city.
Diversity in Arts Leadership (DIAL), administered by Americans for the Arts and national partners, matches undergraduate students from backgrounds traditionally untapped for arts leadership with dynamic communities, energetic host arts organizations, and business mentors, to guide students’ personal and professional growth throughout the summer. In 2019, the nationwide, competitive selection process grants 24 full-time, paid, ten-week-long internships in Des Moines, New Jersey, or New York City.
Eligibility:
- Be available for an intern orientation
- Be available during the entire length of the program;
- Be a U.S. citizen; and
- Be a current undergraduate student. Seniors who will have graduated as of June of the program year are eligible to apply but should explain why an internship experience (as opposed to full-time employment) relates to their future goals.
The following job boards often list arts internship opportunities (paid and unpaid) throughout the United States:
