Hometown: Battle Creek, MI
Major and class standing: Fine/Studio Arts, Junior
Where you interned: Department of Art, Art History and Design Art Galleries
What was your internship title and role/responsibilities?
As a gallery intern, I helped to maintain the gallery spaces I worked in, which included installation and de-installation, as. well as general maintenance and cleaning. I also served as a representative for the gallery and regularly interacted with the general public. I help to make executive creative decisions when installing shows, and take into consideration the best presentation for a piece(s) dependent on the space, other pieces it is being displayed with, and possible reception from the public.
How did you obtain your internship? What resources did you utilize to secure your internship?
To obtain my internship I made sure to utilize skills I learned working in general customer service in the past and made sure to use my connections as references when applying for this position.
What did your daily routine include?
My daily routine varies but generally includes preparing the gallery space for open hours of business, cleaning the area, greeting visitors, as well as offering answers to questions that arise.
Your favorite experience from the internship?
My favorite experience has been installing the undergraduate show for the past two years. Though it is a laborious task arranging so many different pieces and mediums in a space, the outcome is always worth the struggles it presented.
What was your least favorite part of the internship?
My least favorite part of the internship was interacting with people in the professional world who were less than professional. Even small setbacks or issues can present major problems in progress when setting up a show.
What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
I was able to build upon my problem-solving skills. Each exhibition or event provides its own new set of challenges to overcome, and no situation is the same as another, even in cases with reoccurring shows, simply because of the different arrangements of pieces to be displayed. Working with other people has also required me to build upon these skills. I have to think critically about the best solution for problems that will solve them in the most efficient way possible, to meet the time constraints that come with each show.
What did you learn about the industry or your career path as a result of the internship? What are your future plans?
What I learned about the industry was that there is a lot that goes into setting up (and taking down) an exhibition or show. I also learned that it is not only important to be professional but to build strong and positive relationships with others, as having the right connections can take one far in the art world. My future plans are to pursue a master’s degree in my area of study, and afterward attend artist residencies, and develop relationships with galleries that would best suit my art.
What advice do you have for other students seeking out internship opportunities?
My best advice is to seek out an internship that relates to your career field but choose carefully which may present the most opportunities and connections for the future, to make the most out of the experience. I would also suggest keeping in touch with colleagues/employers if you have good relationships with them, as keeping in contact may lead to beneficial opportunities in the (possibly near) future.
