the KCAI Internship Guide.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Internship program
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Office of Special Programs, Academic Affairs
Second Floor, Jannes Library and Learning Center
Kansas City Art Institute
Julie Metzler, director of special programs
816-802-3357
[email protected]
Cover image: Andy Brayman works with Brett Ginsburg (‘13 ceramics), center, and Joseph Hutchins (‘13 ceramics), right, during the ceramics majors’ internship at The Matter Factory. Photo by Tal Wilson.
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Welcome.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What is an internship?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Why should you do an internship?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Examples of internship hosts for students in art and design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Selecting an internship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Types of internships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Researching internship sites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Internship eligibility at KCAI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting up an internship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Registering for an internship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Academic component. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Expectations of a KCAI intern.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
How internships are graded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Support from Career Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sample résumés and cover letters.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Résumé action verbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Notable past and present internship sites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Useful websites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Frequently asked questions.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Internship success stories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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WELCOME!
WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
Welcome to KCAI’s internship program.
An internship is a recognized, formal opportunity to acquire real-world experience
as a student in a chosen field of study by working alongside professionals in an
office or studio setting.
Please accept this “Introduction to Internships: A Guidebook” with our compliments. We hope
it will be a valuable tool as you plan your internship.
WHY SHOULD YOU DO AN INTERNSHIP?
KCAI alumni experiences show that students who have had solid internship experiences are
better prepared for their professional lives, whether they maintain a studio practice or follow
one of the many other career paths open to visual artists.
We encourage you to consider an internship as a valuable option for your course of study at
KCAI. You may enroll in up to 12 credit hours of internships that apply to your graduation
requirements. Internship credits may be applied to studio, art history and/or creative writing
electives, all of which will allow you to try a variety of jobs in different settings. There are rich
experiences ahead of you through the internship program, and we’re here to help you get
started.
Pictured: Kelly Walker (‘12 painting) at an internship at Belger Arts
Center. Photo by Tal Wilson.
This guidebook is designed to give you the tools necessary to get the most out of your
internship. As you read through these materials, begin to consider what you would like to
learn as an intern.
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1.
Companies hire their interns first. In a recent edition of Job Choices magazine, a
publication from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, internship
programs are listed as the No. 1 place employers look when recruiting new hires. An
internship may be the first impression you make on a future employer, so take the job
seriously.
2.
Internships are becoming a standard item on résumés. With more undergraduates
doing internships, employers are beginning to expect to see them listed on the résumés
of job applicants.
3.
Internships often turn into multiple job offers, and not just from the place in which
you interned. Interns have been referred to other organizations by their internship
supervisor.
4.
An internship is a great way to get an inside view of a company, an industry and a
career field. It can help you find out if the career you are considering is right for you.
Internships provide an opportunity to test-drive a career option.
5.
Internships give you the opportunity to grow professionally and academically
by promoting the development of personal and professional qualities including
communication skills, time management skills, cultural sensitivity and analytical and
critical thinking skills. Internships allow you to gain valuable experiences and skill sets
that will make you more competitive and marketable in your job search.
6.
Internships give you an advantage over other graduates in your field. Interns have
the opportunity to get ahead of the competition by showcasing their abilities while
completing their degrees.
7.
Internships provide you with recommendations and references, which are valuable
as you seek employment. Doing well in an internship is a great way to obtain
recommendations from the staff at your site.
8.
Internships provide you with the opportunity to network prior to starting your
professional career. Working professionals will tell you that one of the keys to success
in any career is your ability to build your career network. An internship gives you a rich
field in which to cultivate contacts and future colleagues.
9.
Internships present opportunities to work side by side with some of the top
professionals in your career field.
10. It is a great experience. You will enjoy the excitement of being part of a professional
environment and establishing relationships that can last a lifetime.
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EXAMPLES OF INTERNSHIP HOSTS FOR STUDENTS IN ART AND DESIGN
TYPES OF INTERNSHIPS
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Museums provide exposure to curatorial work, art education, fundraising and
event planning, exhibition design, research and organizational planning.
At the Kansas City Art Institute, there are three categories of internships.
•
Practicing studio artists provide opportunities for students to learn about
managing a business, marketing artwork, networking and balancing studio and
business practices.
•
Local and national theaters provide students with a variety of experiences from
costume and set design to fundraising and playwriting.
•
Local arts organizations can help students get involved in public art and arts
education.
•
Not-for-profit organizations look for students who can use their creativity to
help solve problems and improve their communities.
•
Local and national magazines and newspapers offer a range of experiences
to students studying illustration, graphic design, creative writing and
photography.
•
For students in video and film, production studios often provide internships as
production assistants for documentaries, major motion pictures and television
series.
SELECTING AN INTERNSHIP
Choose an organization/company to intern with based on several researched criteria
that include:
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Connections within an industry that you’ve developed via faculty, staff, family
and friends.
•
Personal resources for housing and travel.
•
Time of year.
•
Location. For instance, if you’re interested in the video gaming industry,
Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco are known as hotbeds for that particular
industry and can provide numerous opportunities.
•
Related industries, events or opportunities for exploration available in an area.
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Professional
These internships require the student to work at least 90 hours at the internship site and be
mentored by a full-time professional employed by the site throughout the internship. The
internship site must provide the office of special programs with all required paperwork before
the student can begin the internship.
Social Practice Certificate
Internships taken for credit for the Social Practice Certificate take place in nonprofit
organizations or with artists whose work falls into the social practice genre. In every other
respect, it is a professional internship.
For transcript notation
Students are able to do internships that are formally recognized by KCAI and included on
the student’s transcript even if the internship is not done for credit. Both social practice and
professional internships can be done for transcript notation.
Pictured: Brett Ginsburg (‘13 ceramics) and Joseph Hutchins (‘13 ceramics) working at an internship
at The Matter Factory. Photo by Tal Wilson.
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RESEARCHING INTERNSHIP SITES
INTERNSHIP ELIGIBILITY AT KCAI
Explore
You will be approved to participate in the internship program if:
Finding internship opportunities takes time and energy. Be prepared to dedicate
time to conducting research, creating an application packet, getting advice and
learning about a particular industry. The great news is that as you engage in this
work, you’ll be learning lifelong skills and preparing yourself for the job search that
comes at the end of this journey.
•
•
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You have completed your sophomore studio.
You have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
A faculty member from your department agrees to act as an advisor for your
internship.
The internship site meets KCAI internship program criteria.
The internship has a strong mentorship component.
The internship credits applied toward your B.F.A. degree do not exceed 12
hours.
Network
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Talk with others. Ask faculty, KCAI staff, family and friends about their networks.
The more other people know about your internship search, the more help they can
be in pointing you in the right direction.
Transfer students must have completed one semester in a major studio at KCAI before
enrolling in an internship for credit.
National and regional publications
Never underestimate how helpful industry and local magazines can be in your
search. You can find such resources in any library. The KCAI library subscribes to
several titles, which could be helpful to your search. When looking through such
resources, mine information from featured companies and artists, usually included
at back of the magazine where galleries, competitions and resources are listed.
Industry and discipline-specific professional organizations
As you become more involved in your chosen profession, it is imperative that
you become involved with a community of like-minded artists and designers in a
professional setting. Professional organizations support this mission through events,
directories, networks, job listings, internship listings, competitions, incentives,
research and other activities.
The Internet
The Internet is a tremendous resource. Target your search to specific companies,
organizations, search engines and websites that will guide you toward your
objective. In this booklet, we have provided a short list of online resources to help
you in this process.
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You will earn academic credit by working a specified number of hours based on the
number of credit hours in which you are enrolled. You will be required to keep a
time log of the hours you complete during your internship. Failure to complete the
minimum required on-site hours will result in an automatic failing grade.
Number of credit hours
3
6
9
12
Minimum on-site hours required per
semester
90
180
270
360
Average on-site hours per week
(semester = 15 weeks)
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12
18
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During the shorter winter and summer intersessions, you are still required to
complete the minimum required on-site hours. For instance, you must still be
on site for a minimum of 90 hours to receive three credits, despite the four-week
duration of the intersession.
Geographic resources
When you have decided on a location, use regional and local resources, such as
chambers of commerce, cultural centers, creative alliances, state arts councils and
departments of education to find the right internship for you.
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SETTING UP AN INTERNSHIP
ACADEMIC COMPONENT
To select an internship, research and choose the site that is best suited to your
academic and professional goals. If you do not have a site in mind, talk to faculty
and contact the director of special programs for a list of past sites as well as new
sites looking for interns.
Reflection paper
If the site you have chosen has not had a KCAI intern before, the site supervisor
must fill out a request-for-intern application form. Request-for-intern forms can be
downloaded from the KCAI website at www.kcai.edu/internships.
Contact the individual or company you are interested in to set up an interview, at
which time you will give them a résumé along with samples of your work. If they
want you to send your résumé ahead of time, include a cover letter. If you need
assistance with your résumé or cover letter, contact [email protected].
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If you participate in an internship for credit, you will have to write a 750- to 800word reflection paper that describes how your experiences during the internship
helped fulfill the learning goals you set.
If you are a social practice certificate student, also discuss the relationship you have
created or have seen develop between your internship and your studio practice.
The paper should reflect your personal experiences. Be sure to include how the
internship has affected your preparation for life after graduation, including
networking and learning new skills and your professional development.
Failure to submit the reflection paper at the end of your internship will adversely
affect your internship grade.
Informational interviews
REGISTERING FOR AN INTERNSHIP
All paperwork begins and ends with the office of special programs in academic
affairs.
Once you have secured your internship, the following steps must be completed in
order to receive credit for the experience:
1. Pick up the internship contract from the office of special programs. As part
of the contract, you must outline your learning goals after consulting with
your internship site supervisor. The contract must be signed by you, the site
supervisor, your faculty advisor and your department chair, all agreeing to follow
the stated guidelines and work together to ensure your learning goals are met.
2. Submit the internship contract with all the required signatures to the office of
special programs no later than the last day of add/drop.
Once the internship contract is submitted, the office of special programs staff will
enroll you in an internship.
An informational interview is a way to gain first-hand information about a career
or a particular organization. It is not a way to gain employment; rather it is a
networking strategy. As an intern, some of the best resources at your fingertips are
the people you meet. Your internship site is full of people who were once in your
position and who have progressed through various paths to succeed in their chosen
careers. An informational interview will give you the chance to have a frank and
open discussion about the field and the challenges associated with it, networking
secrets and other topics that you have always wanted to know first-hand.
As part of your internship, you will be required to complete three informational
interviews with people who are in jobs or professions that interest you. These can be
people you meet through your internship or individuals you have identified on your
own. For example, if you are interested in teaching at the college level, you could
talk to one of your professors or a recent graduate who is now teaching. A good
place to start is to ask your internship site supervisor to introduce you to artists or
professionals they know.
Before you begin your internship, you will be given a tutorial on how to identify
professionals to interview, how to set up the meetings and the types of questions
you should ask.
Academic credit for internships will only be awarded for the semester in which the
internship takes place.
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EXPECTATIONS OF A KCAI INTERN
HOW INTERNSHIPS ARE GRADED
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Pictured: Kelly Walker (‘12 painting) works with Jessie
McAfee (‘08 from INDA) at an internship at Belger Arts
Center. Photo by Tal Wilson.
The faculty advisor who signs the internship contract will be the one to grade your
internship. Grades will be determined as follows:
Internship site supervisor’s evaluation – 60%
Performance
Work habits
Professional demeanor
Attendance
Reflection paper – 25%
Content of paper, organization, spelling, grammar and length
Clear description of how internship goals were met
Connection of internship experience to academic and career goals
Explanation of how internship helped with professional development
If you are participating in the internship program you are expected to:
•
Work in accordance with the job description agreed upon by you and the
internship site supervisor. Should you need to change your schedule due to an
unavoidable conflict, you are expected to inform the site supervisor as far in
advance as possible.
•
Make your personal learning goals known to your site supervisor when you
complete the contract.
•
Conduct yourself in a professional manner and be willing to learn and develop
new skills.
•
Regularly inform the faculty advisor about how the internship is progressing.
•
Complete and submit mid-semester and end-of-semester evaluations of the
internship.
•
Complete three informational interviews with professionals you meet through
your internship. At the end of the semester, submit the informational interview
summary sheet.
•
By the assigned date:
Informational interview summary sheet – 5%
Conduct three informational interviews with professionals you meet through your internship
Complete and submit the informational summary sheet
Faculty advisor’s discretion – 10%
SUPPORT FROM CAREER SERVICES
The office of Academic Advising and Career Services, located in Mineral Hall,
provides services that will prepare you to move beyond college life with confidence.
Through their programs and one-on-one advising, you can learn to prepare a
résumé, write a cover letter and in other ways demonstrate your professionalism
when applying for an internship or job.
For more information, contact [email protected].
1. Submit a reflection paper to the office of special programs detailing how your
experiences during the internship have helped fulfill your learning goals.
2. Complete and return the evaluation of the internship to the office of special
programs.
3. Turn in your time sheet, signed by your site supervisor, showing the number
of hours you have worked.
4. Remind the site supervisor to complete and send in his/her evaluation of
you for the internship.
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SAMPLE RÉSUMÉS AND COVER LETTERS
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Ima Student
Ima Student
4415 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111
[email protected] | 816-555-1234
www.imastudentportfolio.com
March 20, 2014
Susan Smith
Human Resources
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
Dear Ms. Smith:
I am writing in response to your advertisement in the Washington Post for an exhibitions
intern. I will be graduating with a B.F.A. degree in painting from the Kansas City Art
Institute in May. As you will see on my enclosed résumé, in addition to my academic
training, I have professional experience in many areas.
I was equally drawn to the terms “exhibitions assistant” and “Phillips Collection,” since I am
a devoted fan of the Phillips, and my long-term career goal is to work in the exhibitions
department of a museum. As a fine arts student at KCAI, I worked with John Smith in the
painting department and art historian Jane Smith in the School of Liberal Arts. I
supplemented my academic studies with a number of different internships, including at the
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City; the Kansas City Film Festival; and
the Garcia Gallery in Miami. Over the course of my four years at KCAI, these different
pursuits provided me with great opportunities to develop my ability to manage many tasks
effectively and enthusiastically. As graduation draws near, I am eager to apply my skills and
values to an internship in exhibitions at an organization like the Phillips Collection.
I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about the position and to discuss my
qualifications at greater length. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and I thank you for
your time and consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Ima Student
Enclosure
Education
4415 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111
[email protected] | 816-555-1234
www.imastudentportfolio.com
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Mo.
B.F.A. in painting
Expected date of graduation: May 2014
GPA: 3.85
Dean’s List: 2011 – present
Studio Art Centers International (SACI), Florence,
Italy Semester abroad, summer 2010
Relevant Experience
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Kansas City, Mo.
Intern, January 2013–present
• Assist with the organization and implementation of two traveling exhibitions
• Receive artist application materials for major competition
• Address inquiries and distribute prospectus and contracts to participants
• Assist with writing and editing materials for press, catalog and other publications
Kansas City Film Festival
Kansas City, Mo.
Intern, August–December 2012
• Learned all aspects of festival preparation, including advertising
• Obtained film rights releases from appropriate vendors and authors/artists
• Obtained permits for use of venues
Garcia Gallery
Miami, Fla.
Intern, June–August 2011
• Helped new owner of small nonprofit gallery with the review of artist portfolios for their upcoming
exhibition schedule
• Wrote response letters to artists, answered phone calls and filed application materials in slide library
• Assisted with scanning and digitizing slides to jpegs for online artists file registry
Skills
Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Word on PC and Mac platforms, familiar with scanners, Photoshop
and Excel
Studio:
Painting: oils and acrylics; egg tempera; portraiture; representational imagery; large-scale exterior murals;
use of hand-held power tools; woodworking; stretcher building; basic framing techniques
Exhibit installation: gallery preparation, lettering, lighting
Administrative:
Highly organized, meticulous, dependable, responsive, creative problem-solver, writing, copy-editing
Language: Beginner level Japanese, spoken and written
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Ima Student
Ima Student
4415 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111
[email protected] - 816-555-1234
www.imastudentportfolio.com
4415 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111
[email protected] - 816-555-1234
www.imastudentportfolio.com
Jan. 25, 2014
Amelia Brown
Director of Human Resources
Greatbig Museum of Art
1000 Museum Dr.
Any City, MO 64666
Dear Ms. Brown:
I am responding to the notice on your website seeking a part-time classroom teacher for
the museum’s Children’s Art Center. I am enclosing my résumé showing my education
and experiences for your review.
In 2013, I will receive my B.F.A. degree from the Kansas City Art Institute, with a major
in fiber. In my previous job, I taught children ranging in age from 6 to 12 in KCAI’s
summer children’s art program. I developed curricula in the areas of mixed media and
fiber. In addition to teaching at KCAI’s summer children’s art program, I also completed
internships at the Dolphin Gallery and at Gymboree Play and Music.
As a student in KCAI’s Learn to Teach: Community Art class, I gained many of the skills
I used as a teacher. In the class, I taught both children and adults at the Southeast
Community Center and Mattie Rhodes Art Center, learning from professional mentors in
the classroom and from formal and informal contact with community artists.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I will contact your office to arrange a meeting
to further discuss my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Education
B.F.A., fiber
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Mo.
• Current GPA: 3.6
• Dean’s List (fall 2012–spring 2013)
May 2015
(expected graduation date)
Significant Courses
• Learn to Teach: Community Art, spring 2013
• Artist’s Role in Society, fall 2012
• Collaborative Art Practices, spring 2011
Internships
Gymboree Play and Music, Prairie Village, Kan.
August–December 2013
2011
Teacher’s assistant
• Guided the students on various art projects while developing their creativity
• Developed child and family art programs
• Planned strategies for developing students in different artistic genres
• Suggested solutions to the students for being more proficient in the art work
Dolphin Gallery, Kansas City, Mo.
May–August 2013
Gallery Assistant
• Organized acquisitions and kept records of art work
• Dealt with inquiries from variety of clients and discussed exhibits with the gallery’s
patrons
• Assisted the director in setting up gallery for First Friday events
• Updated website and gallery database
Volunteer experience
• Harvesters: the Community Food Network
• Blood donor
Fall 2011
Fall 2011–present
Ima Student
Enclosure
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IMA STUDENT
IMA STUDENT
4415 Warwick Blvd.,
4415 Warwick Blvd.,
Kansas City, MO 64111
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-555-1234
[email protected]
www.imastudent.art
816-555-1234
[email protected]
www.imastudent.art
November 14, 2014
Mr. H.R Brockton
Brockton Creative Group
218 Delaware St., Suite 302
Kansas City, MO 64105
Dear Mr. Brockton,
It was a pleasure meeting you last week at the Kansas City Art Institute’s
graphic design portfolio review day. I greatly appreciated your feedback on my
portfolio and the advice you gave me on interviewing. You also encouraged me
to follow up with you regarding internship opportunities at Brockton Creative
Group, so I am submitting my materials for your consideration.
I researched your company prior to the portfolio review and was impressed by
your versatile approach to advertising, branding and marketing. I especially
enjoyed your recent promotional campaign for the Running Back Gives Back
Foundation, which was engaging, beautiful and understated. These are the
same elements I strive for in my design projects, and it is exciting to see them
employed in a campaign like the one for the Running Back Gives Back
Foundation.
At KCAI, I have been developing a strong range of skills in typography,
typeface design, color theory and information architecture. As you saw at the
portfolio review, our studio projects are varied and include editorial layout,
publications, package design and signage along with branding, logos and
identity systems. You can see further examples of my work at
www.imastudent.art along with my oil and watercolor paintings.
For the past two summers, I have applied my studio experiences to professional
summer internships with Payless Shoe Source and VML. These opportunities
enhanced my skills and gave me further insights into the day-to-day workings of
design firms. Additionally, I run my own freelance design business and provide
services to a variety of clients including nonprofits, restaurants and other small
businesses.
EDUCATION
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Mo.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, graphic design
Expected graduation date: May 2014
Central Park Day School, New
York Valedictorian 2010
DESIGN INTERNSHIPS
Payless ShoeSource, Topeka, Kan.
Design intern, summer 2013
Assisted creative directors with design and development of holiday gift cards
and cardholders, in-store merchandise signage and fundraising materials
VML, Kansas City, Mo.
Design intern, summer 2012
Created style guides, selected colors and refined type choices for companies
ranging from major corporations to small businesses.
EXPERIENCE
Freelance graphic designer
2009–present
Develop graphic design solutions for numerous clients including small
business, restaurants, ad agencies and nonprofits.
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Mo.
Admissions tour guide, 2010–present
Provide tours to prospective students and their families. Answer questions
regarding classes, schedules, housing and student life.
SKILLS
Design
Broad range of skills in branding, logos, signage, publications, editorial layout
and package design. Experience with typography, typeface design, color theory
and information architecture. Digital pre-press production, color correction and
photo retouching skills
Computer
Macintosh and PC platforms. InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Fontlab,
Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, AfterEffects.
I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your consideration of these
materials for an internship at Brockton Creative Group. I am excited about this
opportunity and believe it is an ideal direction for my design studies. I will
contact you in a week to see if we can schedule an interview. Thank you for
your time.
Artistic
Highly trained in a variety of painting techniques – oil, acrylic, watercolor and
gouache.
Skilled in figure drawing using pencil, charcoal, and pen and ink.
Extensive photographic experience – digital, color and black and white
processing.
Sincerely,
ACHIEVEMENTS
AIGA student member, 2010–present
KCAI Graphic Design Biennial Exhibition 2011
KCAI scholarship award, 2010 and 2011
Ima Student
Enclosure
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OBJECTIVE
Seeking a summer internship with an innovative design studio where my
knowledge of branding, package design, print and Web can be used to create
outstanding design solutions.
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Financial skills
RÉSUMÉ ACTION VERBS
RESUMÉ
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Consider using some of these verbs when writing descriptions of jobs and activities.
coordinated
delegated
developed
directed
evaluated
executed
improved
increased
organized
oversaw
planned
prioritized
produced
recommended
reviewed
scheduled
strengthened
supervised
drafted
edited
enlisted
formulated
influenced
interpreted
lectured
mediated
moderated
motivated
negotiated
persuaded
promoted
publicized
reconciled
recruited
spoke
translated
wrote
dispatched
executed
generated
implemented
inspected
monitored
operated
organized
prepared
processed
purchased
recorded
retrieved
screened
specified
systematized
tabulated
validated
examined
extracted
identified
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
investigated
organized
reviewed
summarized
surveyed
systematized
devised
engineered
fabricated
maintained
operated
overhauled
programmed
remodeled
repaired
solved
trained
upgraded
coordinated
developed
enabled
encouraged
evaluated
explained
facilitated
guided
informed
initiated
instructed
persuaded
set goals
stimulated
Research skills
clarified
collected
critiqued
diagnosed
evaluated
Technical skills
assembled
built
calculated
computed
designed
Teaching skills
adapted
advised
clarified
coached
communicated
22
marketed
planned
projected
researched
directed
established
fashioned
founded
illustrated
instituted
integrated
introduced
invented
originated
performed
planned
revitalized
shaped
counseled
demonstrated
diagnosed
educated
expedited
familiarized
facilitated
guided
referred
rehabilitated
represented
23
acted
conceptualized
created
designed
developed
assessed
assisted
clarified
coached
NOTABLE PAST & PRESENT INTERNSHIP SITES
Clerical or detailed skills
approved
arranged
cataloged
classified
collected
compiled
computed
developed
forecasted
managed
Helping skills
Communication skills
addressed
arbitrated
arranged
authored
corresponded
developed
directed
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
Creative skills
Management skills
administered
analyzed
assigned
attained
chaired
contracted
consolidated
administered
allocated
analyzed
appraised
American Jazz Museum
A. Zahner & Co
Barkley Blacktop
Bazillion Pictures
Berkley Child Development Center
Belger Arts Center
Bernstein-Rein
BkMk Press
BNIM
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Byron C. Cohen Gallery
Cara and Cabezas Contemporary
Chameleon Arts
Charlotte Street Foundation
Coterie Theatre
Design Ranch
Digital Labrador
Digital Milk LLC
Dream Studios LCC
Folded Pigs Porcelain
Garmin International
Grand Arts
Hammerpress
H&R Block Artspace
Heugh-Edmondson Conservation Services, LLC
Kansas City Artists Coalition
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Clay Guild
Kansas City Star
KCPT/ Public Television 19
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Liquid 9
Luster Bunny
Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Mattie Rhodes Art Center & Gallery
MK12
Nathan Fox
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Paul Mesner Puppets
Payless ShoeSource
Peggy Noland
Quixotic Performance Fusion
Red Star Studios
Rose Brooks Center
RushWade2
Skylab Letterpress
Sporting Kansas City
Stone Lion Puppet Theatre
STRETCH Sculpture
Take 2 Productions
The Livestrong Army of Kansas City
The Matter Factory
The Pitch
Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City
Trinity 3D
VML
Vedros & Associates
23
USEFUL WEBSITES
25
24
Like KCAI Career Services on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KCAICareerServices. Get
advice from KCAI alumni and view opportunities at kcaicasestudy.wordpress.com.
Local and regional
artskc.org
kccrossroads.org
charlottestreet.org
kclibrary.org/art
downtownkc.org/art-in-the-loop
kcvlaa.org
kansascity.com (KC Star)
missouriartscouncil.org
kansascityartistscoalition.org
pitch.com
By discipline
animation/video/
multimedia
kcai.edu
Great links list
artdeadline.com
saatchiart.com
artdeadlineslist.com
miraslist.blogspot.com
artfacts.net
mondaynews.net
artjob.org
nyfa.org
artperk.com
re-title.com
change-job.com
viacomcareers.com
cinesite.com/jobs
mograph.net/board/index.php?act+idx
creativecrash.com
motiongrapher.com/jobs/
creativeheads.net/
nickanimationstudios.com/job/currentopenings
callforentry.org
disneyanimation.com/careers/
highend3d.com
highendcareers.com/
pixar.com/careers
siggraph.org/
thq.com
vvisions.com
museum-employment.com
theartlist.com
americanart.si.edu/research/
opportunity/fellows
museumjobs.com
juriedartservices.com
wooloo.org
conservation-us.org
artfcity.com
inliquid.com
huntingtonarchive.osu.edu
artincontext.com
whitecolumns.org
kemperart.org
andersonranch.org
resartis.org
artistcommunities.org
transartists.org
artomi.org
urbanculturestudioresidents.wordpress.
com
bemiscenter.org
ox-bow.org
Grants and fellowships cof.org
cranbrookart.edu/library/research/
grants.htm
foundationforcontemporaryarts.org
Skill-building, advice
& artist advocacy
jobs.lucasfilm.com/
aam-us.org
artisttrust.org
Residencies
jobs.gamasutra.com/
awn.com
creativeplanetnetwork.com/forums
kcartistlink.pcsnap.com
Opportunities
animatedjobs.com
Art history
Ceramics
vermontstudiocenter.org
grantsalert.com
puffinfoundation.org
rocketgrants.org
artadvice.com
collegeart.org
artisthelpnetwork.com
creative-capital.org
artisttrust.org
fracturedatlas.org
artsedge.kennedy-center.org
nasaa-arts.org
americansforthearts.org
womenarts.org
artworkinternational.com
unitedstatesartists.org
nelson-atkins.org
npconnect.org
si.edu/ohr
whitney.org/Research/ISP
archiebray.org
nceca.net
armoryart.org
northernclaycenter.org
artaxis.org/index
penland.org
ceramicartsdaily.org
potteryworkshop.com.cn/index.asp
ceramic.dk
redlodgeclaycenter.com
icshu.org
redstarstudios.org
lillstreet.com
theclaystudio.org
musingaboutmud.blogspot.com
Fiber
cfda.com
peggynoland.com
costumedesignersguild.com
stylecareers.com
craftcouncil.org
surfacedesign.org
crafthouston.org
tkga.com
etn-net.org
textilesocietyofamerica.org
feltmakers.com
textilesource.com
fiberartists.org
weavespindye.org
cfeva.org
24
25
Graphic design
26
Illustration
aafkc.com
dandad.org
aiga.org
designalogue.blogspot.com
authenticjobs.com
howdesign.com
coroflot.com
kcaiga.org
creativehotlist.com
kcfreelanceexchange.com
creativity-online.com
winterhouse.com
drawger.com
theispot.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
folioplanet.com
Painting
Printmaking
collegeart.org/guidelines/
nyfa.org/
lmcc.net/residencies
resartis.org/en/
americanposterinstitute.com
printalliance.org
centerforbookarts.org
printeresting.org
drawingcenter.org
printshop.org
ipcny.org
sgcinternational.org
nontoxicprint.com
Photography
mopa.org
aperture.org/internships
photographmag.com
asmp.org
spenational.org
afsinc.org
franconia.org
art-public.com (European)
sculpture.org
azahner.com
sculpture-center.org
easternstate.org
sculpturespace.org
26
What is the internship program at KCAI about?
A:
The internship program at KCAI gives students an opportunity to integrate academic, professional
and personal skill development. In an internship, students undertake supervised, meaningful work
in a professional setting. Given these features of an internship, it is critical that you plan your
internship in advance with careful consideration of your objectives and desired outcomes.
Q:
How do I register for an internship for credit?
A:
Once you have an agreement with your internship site, make an appointment with the director of
special programs to get an internship contract. The internship site supervisor, your faculty advisor
and you must sign the contract. When you have all signatures and have returned the contract to
special programs, we will register you in the internship for credit. It is your responsibility to be at
full-time status (12 credit hours) by the last day of the add/drop period.
Q:
How do I find a faculty advisor?
A:
If you are taking your internship for studio credit, your faculty advisor must be your studio class
instructor. If you wish to take an internship related to art history or creative writing, please seek
a faculty advisor from the School of Liberal Arts. When you have identified a potential faculty
advisor, ask that individual if he or she would be willing to assume that role.
27
The faculty member will likely ask you some questions about the type of internship you are
interested in and your overall goals for the internship. Be prepared to answer the following
questions:
How will this internship support my academic learning goals?
How will this internship support my life or career goals?
What skills do I hope to gain or strengthen during this internship?
Pictured: Michelle Schmidlkofer works with Maria Creyts at an internship at Estudio
Mariaurora. Photo by Tal Wilson.
Sculpture
apanational.com
Q:
Q:
What are learning goals?
A:
Learning goals are objectives that describe what you intend to learn during your internship. Be
specific. Articulating what you want to learn from an internship requires some thought. It’s good
to begin with a general idea of what you want to learn, then develop and refine this idea through
discussions with your internship supervisor and faculty advisor. Finally, write down the results of
this process as a number of discrete learning goals on your contract.
At the end of the semester, you will be expected to write a reflection paper stating how you
have attempted to meet those learning goals during your internship. This involves identifying
experiences and tasks that were available at the internship site and analyzing how they connected
with your goals.
Q:
What is the reflection paper and do I have to do it?
A:
Students who participate in an internship for credit are expected to write a 750- to 800-word
reflection paper that describes how their internship experiences have helped fulfill their learning
goals. If you are a Social Practice Certificate student, you must discuss the relationship that
has developed between your internship and your studio practice. The paper should reflect your
personal experiences. Be sure to include how the internship has affected your preparation for life
after graduation, including networking, learning new skills and professional development.
27
28
Q:
Am I required to do an internship to graduate?
A:
Students in photography, digital filmmaking, illustration and ceramics are required to do an
internship as part of their course work before they graduate from KCAI. Although students in
other departments are not required to do internships, we highly encourage all students to do at
least one internship during their undergraduate experience.
Students can earn up to 12 credit hours for internships. Internship credits are usually applied
toward studio elective requirements but may be applied to art history or creative writing credits,
depending on the type of internship and the work the student does there.
28
Q:
When are internships for credit available?
A:
Internships for credit are available throughout the year, but most students do internships during
the fall and spring semesters. Internships also can be completed during the summer and winter
intersessions, but to earn credit, students must pay tuition. Students must have their internship
contracts completed by the last day of add/drop for the semester they wish to get credit.
Q:
A:
Can I do an internship for credit in a different city or abroad?
The procedure to get credit for an internship in a different city or abroad is the same as getting
credit for a local internship. Inform the director of special programs well in advance so that we
may verify that the host site meets the KCAI internship program requirements. You will need to
complete all the paperwork before you leave in order to get academic credit for your internship
abroad or in a different city.
Q:
Can I get credit for an internship that I did in the past?
A:
No. All internships for academic credit have to be approved by the director of special programs
before the student begins the internship.
Q:
Do I have to work the same number of hours every week?
A:
No. We recommend that you negotiate your schedule with your site supervisor. As long as you
have completed the stipulated work hours by the end of the semester or session and have turned
in your time sheet signed by your site coordinator, you will receive credit for the internship. The
average number of hours you work per week will depend on the length of the internship and how
many credits you are earning.
Q:
Can I turn an existing job into an internship?
A:
It is possible to turn an existing job into an internship. Your work as an intern should reflect
your academic, personal and professional goals. The office of special programs will evaluate the
internship site’s proposal to determine whether the experience would qualify as an internship.
Talk with your faculty advisor and the director of special programs prior to arranging such an
internship.
Q:
A:
Are all internships unpaid?
No. The internship site determines whether an internship is paid or unpaid. Internships in the
nonprofit sectors and with studio artists are often unpaid. Corporate internships are often paid.
Q:
Does my internship have to be related to my major?
A:
No. Internships offer students an opportunity to explore a possible career field or gain experience
in a career field of interest while applying knowledge gained in the classroom to the working world.
The career you choose to explore or pursue may or may not be related to your major; therefore an
internship does not have to be related to your major.
Q:
How do I start looking for internships?
A:
To conduct an effective internship search, use as many resources and strategies as possible. The
internship listing available in the special programs office is one resource for finding an internship.
Other strategies include speaking to professors, networking and identifying and contacting
potential internship sites. If you need assistance finding an internship, make an appointment with
the director of special programs to discuss strategies and develop a plan of action.
Q:
Will KCAI provide an internship for me?
A:
The internship search and application process is an essential part of the internship learning
experience. Obtaining an internship is the student’s responsibility. The office of special programs
can help at every step by providing the preparation, guidance and resources you will need to
be successful. The best advice is to begin your search early. If you need assistance, schedule an
appointment with the director of special programs, 816-802-3357 or [email protected].
Q:
When should I start looking for an internship?
A:
Start early! We encourage you to start looking for an internship at least three months prior to
the internship start date. The amount of time it will take to find an opportunity varies. Some
employers have formal internship programs with predetermined deadlines for each semester. These
deadlines can be three to five months before the internship start date.
Q:
What if I don’t know what I am interested in?
A:
You are not alone. Many students are uncertain of their career interests. Fortunately, KCAI has
a variety of resources that can help you identify your interests. Make an appointment to discuss
strategies and resources that can help you answer these questions.
29
Pictured: Joseph Hutchins (‘13 ceramics) working with Andy Brayman at an
internship at The Matter Factory. Photo by Tal Wilson.
The reflection paper must be submitted to the director of special programs along with an
evaluation of the internship site no later than one week prior to the end of the semester. Faculty
advisors will assign a grade for the internship based on the internship site coordinator’sevaluation
and an assessment of the student’s reflection paper. Failure to submit the reflection paper will result
in a lower grade.
29
INTERNSHIP SUCCESS STORIES
30
Emily K (’12 photography/digital filmmaking, CASL)
Rose Brooks Center, Kansas City, Mo.
By my sophomore year at KCAI, I discovered that I was drawn to the healing properties
of art making and became interested in going to graduate school for art therapy. I wanted
experiences that would give me insight into that type of career, so I did an internship at Rose
Brooks, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. During my time there, I created a five-week
digital film/performance workshop. This workshop culminated in a multimedia show at
KCAI. Working with Rose Brooks has changed me a lot in a positive way. I now understand
the huge impact that art can have on communities of all sorts. It has bolstered my abilities to
make art from a humanist and socially just stand point. My art is more informed, and I am
better equipped to deal with the complexities inherent in activist work.
Luke B. (’11 graphic design)
Sporting KC, Kansas City, Kan.
30
Josh Z., (’11 animation and creative writing)
BkMk Press, Kansas City, Mo.
31
At BkMk Press I helped assemble press packets, entered and revised data for BkMk’s website,
read and helped edit a collection of poems, researched various poetry and grant awards, wrote
an author questionnaire and contributed to the cover design for a book of poems. Through
this internship I discovered that publishing a book is a lot like making a film: there are so
many stages and things change constantly, but there’s a great feeling of accomplishment when
everything comes together.
Alyssa L. (’12 digital filmmaking and art history)
Kansas City Public Television, Kansas City, Mo.
For most of my time at KCPT, my main task was preliminary editing for spots on The
Local Show. I worked to log and cut footage that had been shot on a project in Costa Rica
following Danny O’Neill, owner and founder of The Roasterie. I also sat in the control booth
during the taping of live shows. I gained valuable experience editing on the AVID machine,
learned about how certain aspects of TV are produced and refined my editing skills.
John B. (’12 animation)
Dream Studio LCC, Kansas City, Mo.
Interning in the communications department at Sporting KC, I was tasked with
conceptualizing and executing their 2011 media guide. This involved working on a team
with another designer as well as several members of the media in gathering and organizing
information. Taking the lead on the project, I was given the unique opportunity to create a
new, innovative take on the media guide. In the end, I created an interactive pdf that served
both a practical media purpose as well as expressing the team’s innovative vision and bold new
appearance.
While interning at Dream Studio with Shane Evans, I brought Shane’s illustrated characters
to life by animating them. With the launch of “Chocolate Me,” a book written by Taye Diggs
and illustrated by Shane, I started creating “Chocolate Me” themed e-cards. After Shane
drafted the cards and sentiments to be printed, he would hand them to me and I would take
those elements and reformat and recreate them. I added limited animation to bring the cards
to life, while maintaining the original card’s integrity.
Maret M. (’13 ceramics)
American Jazz Museum, Kansas City, Mo.
Megan M. (’06 printmaking and art history)
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy
At the American Jazz Museum, I worked as the special events and corporate sponsorship
intern. A lot of my job entailed creating different ways to reach out to corporate clients, which
gave me real-life experience in dealing with other facets of the business that aren’t directly
related to art. I also assisted the curator with researching the collection, putting up text walls
and hanging frames. Through this internship, I learned to apply my creative skills in an office
setting.
I interned at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice for three months. My internship
duties included running the ticket office, giving public tours, working special events, assisting
in the shop and maintaining the museum. I was promoted to assistant intern supervisor in
my second month and was asked to stay indefinitely to help run the internship program.
I would equate the experience of interning at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to that of
summer camp for people who love museums and art history.
Laedan G. (’13 illustration)
Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Mo.
Theresa B. (’01 illustration)
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, N.Y.
I was assigned to work on the “Unfiltered Fridays” project, which is a promotion Boulevard
Brewing Company has every Friday at bars and restaurants in Kansas City. My charge was to
refresh the original designs and create new posters, ads, menus and signs in order to attract
a younger demographic. By the time I was done with my internship, my design skills had
greatly increased, and I was very comfortable using Illustrator, a program I had never used
before.
As an intern in the registration department at the Whitney Museum of American Art, I
worked as part of the collections documentation initiative, a Luce Foundation-funded project
with the goal of researching and cataloging the museum’s collection of works on paper. My
duties included reviewing correspondence, artist interviews and administrative forms for
drawings acquired from 1945 to 1970, verifying the information and entering it into the
museum system records. Through this internship opportunity I gained the skills I use in my
current position as a manager of an art collection.
31
I have always been interested in the kids show industry and wanted to intern with a company
that had a fun environment. At my internship with Yo Gabba Gabba, I helped make nearly
every prop on the Aquabats Super Show. I learned how to build and work a vacuum form
machine and learned forming cutting, a new molding technique. I also worked in preproduction, getting a firsthand view of the storyboards and prop lists. This internship has
made me confident that I will be able to find a job in my area of interest after graduation.
32
Margeaux C. (’11 ceramics)
The Matter Factory, Kansas City, Kan.
Through my internship, I was exposed to RAM press mold making and pressing, CNC
milling, decal ink mixing, drying and firing methods and some kiln building. I also was
able to witness the collaboration between Andy Brayman from the Matter Factory and Neil
Forrest, chair of the ceramics department at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Not
only was I able to see how two well-established artists collaborated on a large-scale project,
but also I was able to use my internship as a time to network and build relationships with
the artists. By the end of my internship, Andy acted as a reference for all of my residency and
graduate school applications.
Eva H. (’12 animation)
Paul Mesner Puppets, Kansas City, Mo.
My goal for this internship was to gain experience in puppet making and set construction.
I worked on designing and fabricating puppets for different shows and learned how to
manipulate various materials for different objectives when building props and scenery.
Through this internship I learned that my talents and abilities are well suited for performance
and theater work. Learning how to construct complicated puppets was fascinating and
influential in my work, which involves combining puppetry with the human body during
live performances.
Shane J. (’11 sculpture and CASL)
A. Zahner Company, Kansas City, Mo.
Interning at Zahner opened up many possibilities for a future in large-scale sculptural
fabrication. I learned more about 3-D modeling within Rhino 3-D and also became more
fluent with the Adobe Creative Suite. I worked extensively with KCAI alumni at Zahner,
learning how to make, send and understand vector and 3-D files and navigating the designbased operations within Zahner. After finishing my internship, I continued to do freelance
work for Zahner and hope this internship will help me succeed in graduate school.
Sarah H. (’12 painting and CASL)
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Mo.
32
With my internship in the education department at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art,
I played a part in helping teach the New Dimensions courses. I also worked as a teacher’s
assistant in the studio workshop classes and developed lesson plans and teaching tools for
future programs in the education department. These workshops aim to develop a deeper
appreciation of the museum’s collection among middle school and high school students. I
worked alongside museum professionals to create multimedia projects using both digital and
traditional media. I was able to develop a set of lesson plans and compile resources for a stopmotion workshop, which I eventually taught.
33
Jessika C. (’11 fiber and art history)
Toy & Miniature Museum, Kansas City, Mo.
My internship was with the museum educator at the Toy & Miniature Museum. As part of
my internship, I helped direct the summer learning programs every Saturday. These were
designated times for teaching crafts that related to some type of toy or miniature in the
museum. I assisted in the miniature artist summer series, where miniature artists presented
their work and talked to docents and museum workers about how they found their way
into the realm of miniature art. I also was invited to attend the museum educators summer
meeting at the National World War I Museum. At the meeting, a variety of Kansas City
museum educators discussed best practices for informing their viewers.
Jordan H. (’12 photography)
Fabrice Trombert, New York, N.Y.
During the spring 2011 semester, I was chosen to study in New York as a part of the New
York Studio Exchange Program. While in New York, I worked for commercial photographer
Fabrice Trombert. During my internship, I got to work on shoots for Harry Winston, Marie
Clair and Macys.com. Working with Fabrice, I learned about the expectations of large clients
when it came to production details, lighting, postproduction work, editing and billing. The
experience and connections I made during my semester exchange were extremely beneficial
and enabled me to create lifelong bonds with other artists in New York.
Pictured: Sarah Hazelwood teaches a class in the New Dimensions department during her
internship at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Photo by Tal Wilson.
Mitch T. (’12 sculpture)
Yo Gabba Gabba, Sherman Oaks, Calif.
33
NOTES:
NOTES:
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