5 answers
Anna
Student
Trumbull, Connecticut
1
Question
Asked
1934 views
What types of internships could I get as a fine arts major?
I'm looking to get exposure when in college around the arts and would like to get involved in the outside community within what I'm studying
5 answers
Angela Clark-Green
Underwriter
9
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Angela’s Answer
Hi there,
As a graduate with a major in Fine Arts, I can tell you that there are numerous paths you can choose to follow.
The direction you take largely depends on your specific interest within the realm of fine arts. For instance, my passion was Interior Design, which led me to an internship with a designer who also ran a furniture store. But remember, the world of art is vast and varied, with countless mediums to explore. So, it's crucial to identify your preferred medium and concentrate on that.
In addition, having a solid background in marketing or business can be a great asset. These skills can help you promote yourself effectively. This was a key part of my major too. Whether you're using art to sell products or selling your art directly, understanding marketing strategies and the basics of business and sales is vital.
For community engagement, consider volunteering as an art teacher or working at an Art Museum. These experiences can enrich your resume and provide valuable practical exposure.
So, keep exploring, keep learning, and most importantly, keep creating!
As a graduate with a major in Fine Arts, I can tell you that there are numerous paths you can choose to follow.
The direction you take largely depends on your specific interest within the realm of fine arts. For instance, my passion was Interior Design, which led me to an internship with a designer who also ran a furniture store. But remember, the world of art is vast and varied, with countless mediums to explore. So, it's crucial to identify your preferred medium and concentrate on that.
In addition, having a solid background in marketing or business can be a great asset. These skills can help you promote yourself effectively. This was a key part of my major too. Whether you're using art to sell products or selling your art directly, understanding marketing strategies and the basics of business and sales is vital.
For community engagement, consider volunteering as an art teacher or working at an Art Museum. These experiences can enrich your resume and provide valuable practical exposure.
So, keep exploring, keep learning, and most importantly, keep creating!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ana !
I think that something you could start doing now is preparing for The Trumbull Arts Festival which will be next year in September 2024. Get involved as a vendor and anytime you show your works at a fair or festival, add it to your resume. You have a whole year to create things to show at next years' festival. Artists take advantage of these community events to familiarize people with their work and for direct sales. Not exactly an internship but hands on, self-directed experience. If you wanted, you could probably see if there is a way to intern doing administrative work for the festival.
When doing an internship, you may not actually get the exact work duties you were expecting, but even so, sometimes the same employer may eventually hire you, so it will be good to do an internship to build up contacts and be around the arts world. I have left a link below for an example of some type of Art internships in your State.
How about volunteer work ? A good idea would be to visit some community theatres in person to introduce yourself and ask them if you can volunteer to do set painting, stagecraft or assist in any prop creation for their plays. So, again, not exactly an internship, but great hands on experience. Theaters usually need someone to help out.
My advice is to make a path for experience in general. You can't always be assured of the most ideal internship, but if you think beyond that, and more of how you can get beneficial experience, you will see that volunteer work, direct presentations of your work at galleries or fairs may provide you with a wide audience, more contacts and maybe more clients or customers. There may be a chance that you can even get an entry level paid job part time that will afford you a worthwhile experience in the fine arts. Read employment websites every day to be aware of what actual part time jobs are out there.
The next time and if you apply for financial aid at your school, check on your application that you want Work Study. Once you obtain Work Study, go to your major department and let them know that you are ready to work in the Fine Arts dept. on Work Study. You can choose from a variety of positions there. No need to leave campus. You can do other work off campus, too.
Whether you obtain an internship or direct hands on employment or volunteer work, I wish you all the best !
https://www.trumbull-ct.gov/625/Arts-Festival 2024 ~ 2024 TRUMBULL ARTS FESTIVAL INFORMATION FOR VENDORS
https://www.internships.com/art/connecticut INTERNSHIPS IN CT FOR ART
I think that something you could start doing now is preparing for The Trumbull Arts Festival which will be next year in September 2024. Get involved as a vendor and anytime you show your works at a fair or festival, add it to your resume. You have a whole year to create things to show at next years' festival. Artists take advantage of these community events to familiarize people with their work and for direct sales. Not exactly an internship but hands on, self-directed experience. If you wanted, you could probably see if there is a way to intern doing administrative work for the festival.
When doing an internship, you may not actually get the exact work duties you were expecting, but even so, sometimes the same employer may eventually hire you, so it will be good to do an internship to build up contacts and be around the arts world. I have left a link below for an example of some type of Art internships in your State.
How about volunteer work ? A good idea would be to visit some community theatres in person to introduce yourself and ask them if you can volunteer to do set painting, stagecraft or assist in any prop creation for their plays. So, again, not exactly an internship, but great hands on experience. Theaters usually need someone to help out.
My advice is to make a path for experience in general. You can't always be assured of the most ideal internship, but if you think beyond that, and more of how you can get beneficial experience, you will see that volunteer work, direct presentations of your work at galleries or fairs may provide you with a wide audience, more contacts and maybe more clients or customers. There may be a chance that you can even get an entry level paid job part time that will afford you a worthwhile experience in the fine arts. Read employment websites every day to be aware of what actual part time jobs are out there.
The next time and if you apply for financial aid at your school, check on your application that you want Work Study. Once you obtain Work Study, go to your major department and let them know that you are ready to work in the Fine Arts dept. on Work Study. You can choose from a variety of positions there. No need to leave campus. You can do other work off campus, too.
Whether you obtain an internship or direct hands on employment or volunteer work, I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Deborah Christopher-Adeniji
Researcher
73
Answers
Nigeria
Updated
Deborah’s Answer
As a fine arts major, there are various internship opportunities that can provide valuable exposure and community involvement during college. You can consider internships at art galleries or museums, where you'll learn about curation, exhibition design, and art preservation. Another option is to work with local theater companies or dance troupes, assisting with production, set design, or even costume design. Non-profit organizations that focus on arts education or community arts programs often offer internships where you can engage with the community and contribute to arts-related outreach. Additionally, art studios or graphic design firms can provide hands-on experience in various artistic disciplines. Keep an eye out for opportunities that align with your specific interests within fine arts, as internships can be a great way to apply what you're learning in college and build a network within the arts community.
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Anna
You've already gotten a great list of opportunities for internships in the fine arts. The thing you need to do is identify opportunities in the community you live, or where you go to school.
Most colleges and universities now a days have internship programs, because they are so valuable in starting a career. I would talk to your professors or your advisor and see what they advise; if they could tell you about other students in past years who have done internships. If your school has a career canceling center or office, check to see if they know of internship opportunities in the fine arts. You could also check with your school or local library. If you are interested in a museum internship, and if you have a local museum or a historical society, no matter how small or large, contact them. Contact the historical society directly, and for the museum, start with the education department to see where in the museum they offer internships.
Best wishes. I hope this helps.
You've already gotten a great list of opportunities for internships in the fine arts. The thing you need to do is identify opportunities in the community you live, or where you go to school.
Most colleges and universities now a days have internship programs, because they are so valuable in starting a career. I would talk to your professors or your advisor and see what they advise; if they could tell you about other students in past years who have done internships. If your school has a career canceling center or office, check to see if they know of internship opportunities in the fine arts. You could also check with your school or local library. If you are interested in a museum internship, and if you have a local museum or a historical society, no matter how small or large, contact them. Contact the historical society directly, and for the museum, start with the education department to see where in the museum they offer internships.
Best wishes. I hope this helps.
Daniel Chung
Project Manager
35
Answers
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
As a fine arts major, there are several types of internships you can pursue to gain valuable experience and develop your skills in the field. While the fine arts industry can be competitive, internships can help you build a strong foundation for your career. Here are some types of internships that may be available to fine arts majors:
Art Galleries:
Gallery assistant: Assist with gallery operations, exhibitions, and sales.
Curatorial intern: Work with curators to organize and curate art exhibitions.
Arts marketing and promotions: Help promote gallery events and artists through social media, marketing, and public relations.
Museums:
Museum education intern: Assist with educational programs, workshops, and tours.
Collections management: Work with the cataloging and preservation of museum artifacts and artworks.
Exhibition design: Assist with the design and installation of museum exhibitions.
Arts Nonprofits:
Arts administration: Support the administrative functions of arts organizations, including grant writing, fundraising, and event planning.
Community outreach and arts education: Work with programs that bring arts to underserved communities or schools.
Arts advocacy: Get involved in advocating for the arts at the local or national level.
Art Studios:
Studio assistant: Assist established artists in their studios with various tasks, including production, organization, and marketing.
Art conservation: Learn the techniques of art restoration and preservation.
Graphic Design and Illustration:
Graphic design intern: Work on design projects for companies, agencies, or nonprofits.
Illustration intern: Gain experience in creating illustrations for various media, such as books, magazines, and digital platforms.
Arts Journalism and Criticism:
Arts journalism intern: Write art reviews, interviews, and articles for art publications, blogs, or newspapers.
Arts criticism intern: Develop skills in critiquing and analyzing art forms.
Film and Media Production:
Film and media production intern: Assist with film, video, or media production, including pre-production, shooting, editing, and post-production.
Theatre and Performing Arts:
Theatre intern: Work in various aspects of theater production, such as stage management, costume design, or lighting design.
Performing arts marketing and promotion: Help promote theatrical productions and manage marketing campaigns.
Arts Marketing and Public Relations:
Marketing intern: Assist arts organizations in promoting events, managing social media, and reaching their target audiences.
Public relations intern: Work on building and maintaining the public image of arts organizations or artists.
Art-related Retail and Sales:
Art sales intern: Gain experience in selling art and helping customers in galleries, art supply stores, or auction houses.
When seeking internships as a fine arts major, it's essential to research opportunities, network with professionals in your field, and tailor your applications to each specific role. Additionally, be open to unpaid internships, especially in smaller organizations, as they can provide valuable experience and opportunities to make connections in the industry.
Art Galleries:
Gallery assistant: Assist with gallery operations, exhibitions, and sales.
Curatorial intern: Work with curators to organize and curate art exhibitions.
Arts marketing and promotions: Help promote gallery events and artists through social media, marketing, and public relations.
Museums:
Museum education intern: Assist with educational programs, workshops, and tours.
Collections management: Work with the cataloging and preservation of museum artifacts and artworks.
Exhibition design: Assist with the design and installation of museum exhibitions.
Arts Nonprofits:
Arts administration: Support the administrative functions of arts organizations, including grant writing, fundraising, and event planning.
Community outreach and arts education: Work with programs that bring arts to underserved communities or schools.
Arts advocacy: Get involved in advocating for the arts at the local or national level.
Art Studios:
Studio assistant: Assist established artists in their studios with various tasks, including production, organization, and marketing.
Art conservation: Learn the techniques of art restoration and preservation.
Graphic Design and Illustration:
Graphic design intern: Work on design projects for companies, agencies, or nonprofits.
Illustration intern: Gain experience in creating illustrations for various media, such as books, magazines, and digital platforms.
Arts Journalism and Criticism:
Arts journalism intern: Write art reviews, interviews, and articles for art publications, blogs, or newspapers.
Arts criticism intern: Develop skills in critiquing and analyzing art forms.
Film and Media Production:
Film and media production intern: Assist with film, video, or media production, including pre-production, shooting, editing, and post-production.
Theatre and Performing Arts:
Theatre intern: Work in various aspects of theater production, such as stage management, costume design, or lighting design.
Performing arts marketing and promotion: Help promote theatrical productions and manage marketing campaigns.
Arts Marketing and Public Relations:
Marketing intern: Assist arts organizations in promoting events, managing social media, and reaching their target audiences.
Public relations intern: Work on building and maintaining the public image of arts organizations or artists.
Art-related Retail and Sales:
Art sales intern: Gain experience in selling art and helping customers in galleries, art supply stores, or auction houses.
When seeking internships as a fine arts major, it's essential to research opportunities, network with professionals in your field, and tailor your applications to each specific role. Additionally, be open to unpaid internships, especially in smaller organizations, as they can provide valuable experience and opportunities to make connections in the industry.
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