Thanks to the generous multi-year support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, more than twenty New York City arts organizations from Art21 to UrbanGlass are continuing their partnership this summer with Studio Institute’s internship-based work and learning experience for students, placing 35 teens in virtual internships spanning the five boroughs.
Students from eight Career and Technical Education (CTE) high schools across the city are participating in the program, which pairs their skills with host sites that provide paid work experience three days each week in areas ranging from marketing to museum education.
Modeled after our Arts Intern program for college students, the Bloomberg Arts Internship program has expanded to other cities since its start in 2012 with Studio the founding strategic partner. The New York City program has given more than 475 teens from diverse backgrounds opportunities to learn about careers in the arts and related fields and explore the rich cultural landscape of their hometown. Interns who have participated in the program have gone on to pursue careers at some of the city’s most prestigious arts organizations.
What makes the 2020 experience unique is the virtual aspect, with its focus on enhancing digital skills through positions that include social media, digital marketing, and virtual programming. In addition to honing their workplace skill sets, the teens receive extensive instruction in writing, college preparation, and career exploration.
Reflecting on his first day at Art21, Jason Mendoza said he was “pleasantly surprised” to learn that he would be working in the organization’s digital department, charged with “helming the editing and technical storytelling behind some of the most influential documentaries in their film library.”
Intern Rachel McCain discovered a kindred soul on her first day at the Park Avenue Armory. Despite her initial nervousness, she said, “All of that melted away as I spent more time with my supervisor Katie. She came through the BAI program and even ended up landing a job where she initially interned! She has been so supportive in helping me get settled in.”
David Higueros, an intern at the New York Transit Museum, expressed surprise at the breadth of activities the museum provides virtually, such as its Transit Tots program. “What you can sense when you are here either in person or virtually are the creativity, curiosity, and imagination of [the museum’s] workers in the programs they have to offer.”
We and our partner arts organizations are excited to help make possible what many former interns have described as a life-changing opportunity to build skills that will not only serve them as they transition to college, but also play a part in an upward trajectory as future civic leaders.
We look forward to sharing their stories this summer!
* Top Row (L to R): Indira Diaz, Hayley Giordano, Greer Gerney, Brandon St. Luce, Brianna Guillen, Daqwaun Smith, Jacques Megnizin, Katelyn Álvarez, Kirby Garcia; Row 2 (L to R): Chandanie Panday, Majidah Allaino, Kayla Joyner, Saiss Cruz, Monti Chowdhury, Maherah Mohar, Ana Stavarache, Amreen Humaida, Anika Rahman; Row 3 (L to R): Brianna Gonzalez, Casey Gibbons, David Higueros, Hanna Dzaferovic, Yassir Rahman, Julia Alteen, Jason Mendoza, Natalia Ortiz, Carys Gómez Morales; Row 4 (L to R): Liz Almonte, Nahiely Urbaez, Jolimar Perez Neris, Rachel McCain, Suanely Padilla, Tyler Ureña, Min Zu, Zarah Greyser
