Experiencing Arts Careers Through the Bloomberg Arts Internship
The Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) program provides a paid opportunity for rising seniors from New York City public high schools to try out careers in arts and cultural organizations. During eight weeks this summer, BAI students placed in 46 New York arts and cultural organizations interned in departments with roles as varied as Audio Storytelling Arts & Culture, Curatorial Exhibition and Research, Recruitment and Talent Development, Collections Management, Programming and Communications, Web Development, Design and Fabrication, Institutional Giving Research, and Video Production.
Film crew, Maisha R. (director), William W. (cinematographer), and Gabriel G. (sound engineer) interview Snug Harbor Cultural Center education intern, Jordan.
Turning the Spotlight on the Crew
We caught up with the crew between onsite filming assignments to ask what knowledge of the film world each brought to the project. Will notes: “Prior to this summer I had experience in filming due to my being on the CTE Media track at Midwood High School, which gave me experience in videography, sound, and directing. When reflecting on the internship, he says, “What I found interesting … was [seeing] the many different worksites and hearing the interns describing their jobs and goals for the future.”
According to Gabriel, a student at Queens Technical High school, “I didn’t have any experience with sound or directing, only with photography and film because I was in an after-school club for photography. Something I found interesting while working this summer was the process of making a documentary and filming interviews, seeing how different people act while on camera.”
Maisha, who attends Thomas Edison High School, brought some experience with filming and directing, having used her phone to film events for the school’s newsletter club. “I remember playing with my dad’s camcorder, just exploring the different settings and filming random things…or having my imaginary YouTube channel where I used to vlog my ‘day in the life.’”
When asked which filming site was their favorite, the interns’ unanimous choice was the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens. Will says, “... the museum itself was cool. A lot of what was showcased was pop culture—and things that I liked.” Gabriel came away with a newfound appreciation for the museum. “I really enjoyed going to the Museum, as it talked about film and the history of it—and it was interesting to see how the filming industry has developed over time.” For Maisha, “Seeing the different pieces and artists' work [at the Museum] resonated with me deeply. I enjoyed the different genres of art from generations of films, music, sculptures, games from the 80s, dancing, and overall, the atmosphere was to die for.”
Looking Ahead to Future Careers
Asked how a summer spent capturing BAI experiences might influence their career plans, Will says the internship has made him think about a career choice in filming. “I could see myself in the future possibly being a professional video editor or videographer.”
For Maisha, “This internship has opened my eyes to discovering the field of film/videography. Taking this to a professional level is something I am possibly looking forward to…videography is something I would like to do in college, maybe for events or clubs. Having the knowledge and experience will help me in the future.”
“Before the internship,” Gabriel says, “I already had an interest in filming, and cinematography, but this internship really gave me a higher interest in it. I could see myself in the future doing something in filmmaking such as creating my own films or doing interviews with other people.”
Exploring the Cultural Treasures of NYC
A highlight for the three film makers—and for all BAI participants— was having the opportunity to explore some of the cultural treasures of our great city, especially places that they’d never heard of or had never visited. “Exploring New York City has opened my eyes to so many different organizations, non-profits, and museums I have always wanted to go to and finally had the chance,” Maisha says.
During the course of the summer, BAI students toured city cultural sites throughout the boroughs on weekly visits, which included the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Poster House, Whitney Museum of American Art, UrbanGlass, Socrates Sculpture Park, The Noguchi Museum, Madison Square Park, the High Line, Silver Art Projects, New York Live Arts, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, and Roundabout Theatre Company.
The program also hosted special “behind the scenes” tours and career panels with arts professionals, as well as the opportunity to meet other BAI New York City teens.
Building Workplace and College Readiness Skills
In addition to their internship responsibilities, students attended classroom workshops focused on building workplace and college readiness skills and starting the college application process. Through a program led by Columbia University’s Teachers College, students sharpened their writing skills and received guidance for completing their college essay. Interns also participated in college tours at local colleges and universities.
BAI film crew at the closing event held at Bloomberg Philanthropies in NYC. (Left to right:) Will W., Maisha R., Gabriel G., and film instructor Shoshana Ehrenkranz.
Making a Positive Impact through Mentoring
Shoshana Ehrenkranz, who has participated in Studio Institute programs herself as a Bloomberg Arts Mentor, has been the Studio Institute film instructor for the past three years. Asked about her summer experience with the film crew, she says, “Every summer, the interns bring something new to the Bloomberg Arts Internship film crew experience. This year, the interns taught me how to explore the city with a curious eye…. Seeing the interns grow in their roles and gain confidence in traveling across New York City inspires me to take advantage of the great city we live in and to keep learning more skills within the film world.”
Check out the Bloomberg Arts Internship 2024 experience here. [Add Vimeo link and image]
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