Navigating Arts Internships in Los Angeles County: A Comprehensive Guide
Los Angeles County, a vibrant hub for arts and culture, offers numerous internship opportunities for students and recent graduates looking to gain experience in the creative sector. These internships provide invaluable hands-on learning, networking opportunities, and a glimpse into the diverse career paths available within the arts. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of arts internships in Los Angeles County, including available programs, eligibility requirements, and resources for finding and securing these coveted positions.
The Value of Arts Internships
Arts internships serve as a bridge between academic studies and professional practice. They provide a structured environment for students to apply their knowledge, develop new skills, and build their professional networks. Internships can clarify career aspirations, provide a competitive edge in the job market, and contribute to the growth and development of the arts and culture sector.
Key Internship Programs in Los Angeles County
Several prominent programs facilitate arts internships in Los Angeles County. These programs often target specific demographics or areas of interest within the arts.
Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Arts Internship Program
The Arts Internship Program, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, is designed to provide students who face structural barriers with paid work experiences, mentorship opportunities, and professional development in the arts. The program aims to empower self-identity and help build valuable skills for the future. It's a 2-year program that places students from ETA Partner Schools in paid internships at creative institutions and helps them prepare for life after high school.
The program requires students to work roughly 12 hours per month during the school year (October - December and January - May) and 48 hours in the summer (June - July). The Arts Internship Program empowers youth of Los Angeles and Pasadena to pursue their dreams in the arts industry and beyond. Students are connected with mentors in various industries to gain insight about the creative economy and build their confidence.
Read also: Differences between Cal State LA and UCLA
Eligible students may apply in the fall of each year to enter the program. The application process includes submission of an application form which asks for your vaccination status, your availability for work, and your most recent report card. You will also answer a series of questions, either written or in the form of a video, and you also have the option to share artwork or your creative practice.
All students will be paid $6,912 ($17.28/hour) for their 400-hour long internships. Due to the nature of the program, students must clearly communicate any prior commitments to their organization while they are in the interview process. Students must either live in or attend college in Los Angeles County.
Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship (GMUI)
The Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship (GMUI) is a paid, full-time summer internship program funded by the Getty Foundation. This program provides opportunities for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to gain experience in museums and arts organizations throughout Los Angeles County. The Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM) typically hosts one to two GMUIs annually.
Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM) Internship Programs
VPAM offers several internship opportunities, including the GMUI program and a unique partnership with East Los Angeles College (ELAC). The Washington D.C. program is a full-time, five-week internship program for ELAC students including a one-week intern orientation at VPAM and a month-long museum studies internship with the Smithsonian Institute (SI) or National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington D.C.
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Programs
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supports various initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in the curatorial field. These programs provide specialized training to students from historically underrepresented groups. The program is organized around two components, the Mellon Summer Academy and the Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship. Two students from the summer academy are selected to participate in this 2-year fellowship program.
Read also: MLS Internships: A Galaxy Case Study
Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) Internships
Education Through Music-Los Angeles partners with the LA County Department of Arts and Culture to offer summer internships. In 2024, ETM-LA offered two summer internships open to currently enrolled undergraduate (2 or 4-year) and community college students who reside or attend college in Los Angeles County. Recent graduates were also eligible to apply as long as they had completed their degree between May 1 - December 1, 2024.
Finding Internship Opportunities
Several resources can help students find arts internships in Los Angeles County.
Collective: The California Arts Council's Statewide Opportunities Resource
Collective is a central hub for connecting California’s arts and culture communities with opportunities such as jobs, internships, artist calls, grants, conferences, workshops, and more. It allows users to peruse, publish, and set notifications for new opportunities.
University Career Centers
University career centers, such as the Career Center at USC, provide a host of services to students and graduates, including internship and job postings, resume and cover letter coaching, interview preparation, and offer-negotiation assistance.
USC Roski School of Art and Design
USC Roski, with its location in downtown Los Angeles and the Graduate Building in the L.A. Arts District, offers proximity to some of the most enviable internships and jobs the art and design worlds offer. At Roski, you have access to internships that are uniquely suited for art and design students. USC Roski maintains relationships with dozens of L.A. cultural institutions, design studios and other entities, who access our system to post internship opportunities that students can interact with directly. Faculty may also connect you with potential internships.
Read also: Protecting Students at Graduation
Networking and Direct Outreach
Networking with professionals in the arts and culture sector can be a valuable way to learn about unadvertised internship opportunities. Attending industry events, volunteering at arts organizations, and reaching out to individuals working in fields of interest can lead to internship prospects.
Application Tips and Considerations
Securing an arts internship requires a well-crafted application and a strategic approach.
Eligibility
Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for each internship program. Some programs are specifically for undergraduate students, while others may be open to recent graduates or students in specific fields of study. For example, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture encourages eligible students from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as disabled students, to apply. Some internships may require that students live in or attend college in Los Angeles County.
Application Materials
Prepare a compelling resume, cover letter, and portfolio (if applicable) that highlight your skills, experience, and passion for the arts. Tailor your application materials to each specific internship, emphasizing the skills and experiences that align with the organization's mission and goals.
Interview Preparation
If selected for an interview, research the organization and prepare thoughtful answers to common interview questions. Be prepared to discuss your skills, experience, and career goals, and to articulate your interest in the specific internship opportunity.
Communication
Maintain clear and professional communication throughout the application process. Respond promptly to emails and phone calls, and be sure to thank the interviewers for their time and consideration.
Addressing Potential Conflicts
If you have prior commitments, such as a planned vacation, be sure to communicate these to the organization during the interview process. Transparency is key to ensuring a successful internship experience. For example, if you know the program has a set schedule and runs from June-March, but you’re planning a vacation in August, you must clearly communicate any prior commitments to their organization while they are in the interview process.
A Look at Specific Internship Opportunities
To illustrate the diversity of arts internships available in Los Angeles County, let's examine a specific example:
Los Angeles Performance Practice (LAPP) Internship
LAPP offers a paid internship in Producing + Advancement through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Arts Internship Program. This internship runs from June to December and is open to current undergraduate students or those graduating an undergraduate program in spring.
The Producing + Advancement Intern works closely with LAPP's artistic, programming, and development staff, contributing towards programming and development efforts. They will make meaningful contributions toward individual giving, grant writing, and communications, supporting LAPP's artist-driven programs and projects.
LAPP is devoted to the production and presentation of contemporary performance by artists whose work advances multi-disciplinary practices. The organization offers artist programs, the LAX Festival of contemporary dance, theater and music, touring projects, and special initiatives. LAPP carefully considers issues of diversity, equity, and representation in hiring.
tags: #los #angeles #county #arts #internships
