Arts Intern 2023 Launches With New York and Newark Partners
Summer 2023 marks the 25th year of Arts Intern in New York City!
On Thursday, June 1 we were pleased to kick off the NYC Arts Intern program at the Rubin Museum of Art, a valued host partner since 2004. This year, for the first time, arts organizations in New Jersey also participated in the program.
Another first was the expansion of our network of New York City partner organizations to include private visual arts foundations under the Aspen Institute’s Artist-Endowed Foundations Initiative (AEFI): Al Held Foundation, Harpo Foundation, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Reversible Destiny Foundation, Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and Woodman Family Foundation.
New York and New Jersey 2023 Arts Interns at the Rubin Museum of Art
(Front row, L to R): Kassandra G., Infiniti R., Triniti Wade, Eliza G., Kailey D., Grace P., Stevia N.; (back row, L to R): Sophia Domeville, program manager; Jlynn Rose T., Mac J., Veda F., Maria Fernanda V., Kelly G., Michelle L., Yamilet V., Sovah W., Sebastian B. (Not pictured: Jaiden S., Valerie R., Olivia I., Daniel S.)
Through the AEFI, interns and fellows will participate in a national cohort of 24 AEF-hosted interns and fellows that meets virtually weekly. Consortium members provide paid mentorship opportunities for their alums, including attendance at an annual Life/Learning Path Workshop, facilitated access to the AEF community's network of arts professionals, who serve as mentors and advocates, and attendance and networking opportunities at two national biennial programs, the AEF Leadership Forum and the Seminar on Strategy for AEF Leaders.
Founded in 1999 by Agnes Gund, Arts Intern provides early-career opportunities for skilled college students interested in arts careers, who may otherwise lack access to such vital experiences without this opportunity. The program places undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need and diverse backgrounds in paid internships that can impact career paths in profound and lasting ways.
In addition to fully funding students’ stipends, the program includes an educational component that provides time for interacting and networking with seasoned professionals across the field, increasing students’ knowledge of, connection with, and investment in museums and cultural institutions.
A Full Day for Arts Interns and Their Supervisors at the Rubin Museum of Art.
(Top row, L to R): Intern Triniti W. views the Rubin’s collection; Arts Intern founder Agnes Gund speaks with Chad Ferber, registrar and archivist at the Al Held Foundation, and intern Veda F.; intern Kassandra G. discusses her role and responsibilities with supervisor June Lei, public programs assistant at the Brooklyn Museum; (bottom row, L to R): Arts Intern program manager Sophia Domeville meets with the NYC/NJ interns; Tom Cahill, president of Studio Institute, welcomes new interns, their supervisors, and guests; Arts Interns participate in a guided gallery tour at the Rubin.
The day started with an introduction from Studio Institute president Tom Cahill, who welcomed the Summer 2023 participants: 19 New York City-based students and three from Newark, along with their site supervisors. Next up was Arts Intern program manager Sophia Domeville, who noted the importance of early career experiences and the benefits of professional mentoring by supervisors.
Interns also had the opportunity to hear from June Lei, public programs assistant at the Brooklyn Museum, who participated in the program as adult programs intern at the museum in 2015. June shared some insights from her experience and encouraged the interns to ask questions during their internship to help them gain a better understanding of their roles.
Matt Klepfer, Research Analyst at Metis Associates, an independent research and evaluation consulting firm, addressed the group and described the goals of an annual Arts Intern project evaluation. The study, conducted by Metis researchers, assesses program outcomes related to interns’ career and personal development, as well as their involvement in their communities.
Interns spent time with their site supervisors discussing roles and responsibilities at their respective organizations and planning for their nine-week internships before meeting as a group to discuss the details of their summer program schedule. The day ended with a guided gallery tour of the museum and professional headshots taken by social media manager Shoshana Ehrenkranz.
We welcome our new cohorts of NYC and NJ Arts Interns and look forward to tracking their progress this summer and sharing their experiences and insights.