Internships

At the Fountain Inn Center for Visual & Performing Arts we believe in the importance of work experience for those planning on majoring in the arts, arts management, education, business, and more, and this is at the core of our internship program.  In our fourth year of offering internships we are expanding those opportunities to all areas of our work.

What is an “internship”?

Definition:  An internship has many names (cooperative education, practicum, externship, apprenticeship) is an opportunity to integrate career related experience into an undergraduate education by participating in planned, supervised work.  Characteristics of our internships provide students with: 
• personal and professional development through challenging work assignments
• planned and scheduled through consultation with the department or college so as to fit into the undergraduate experience
• a supervision component that is mentoring and educational
• career related experiences that complement what is learned in the classroom
• a reflection and evaluation process at the conclusion of the internship

At the Fountain Inn Center for Visual & Performing Arts, the internships can follow in the following.  They:
• May be paid or unpaid
• Earn academic credit or no credit is associated with the experience
• Can be from 5 hours a week to 40 hours a week: fulltime or part-time
• Can take place during the summer or during other quarters of the year
• Can last for one quarter or part of one quarter or extend over several quarters

Our high school, undergraduate, and graduate internship program offers hands-on experience in a range of areas, including visual arts; performing arts (music, theater, and dance); and Arts-in-Education programs. 

Arts-in-Education:  The Arts-in-Education program provides students in grades Pre-K through 12 with experiential classroom-based programs in the visual, performing, and media arts. Responsibilities may include:

• Acting as a liaison between the Arts-in-Education program and schools
• Assisting an artist in a residency during the school day or after school
• Participating in program documentation and assessment
• Conducting general research and administrative tasks, as needed
• Coordinating school performances and gallery education programs

Arts Administration:  The Center administration team oversees both performing and visual arts programming, managing their marketing and publicity, financials, and fund reporting. Reporting directly to the Assistant Center Director, the arts administration intern's responsibilities include:

• Administrative support around accounts payable and receivable
• Maintain artist and production files
• Design press kits
• Maintain supplemental materials for reports
• Assist in installation and exhibition upkeep
• Copy edit press releases and other publicity materials

Performing Arts Programming:  Interns are given the opportunity to research program options, participate in the selection process and assist with negotiating and finalizing contracts. In addition, Interns may participate in the show planning, development and implementation of each program, including show budgets, ticket prices, sales reports and show settlements.

Technical Services:  Interns will have a chance to participate in a wide variety of "behind the-scenes" activities. The Internship will include basic lighting, sound, rigging, and carpentry instructions and demonstrations. Along with these basic demonstration sessions, Interns will also shadow members of the Technical department during events (i.e., load-ins, performances, load-outs). Requirements include availability to work some nights and some weekends. Theatre/Technical background preferred.

Visual Arts:  The Center is offering internship positions for our Visual Arts Program. Previous studio art, gallery, art handling, or art criticism experience is a plus. Internships can be tailored to meet school credit requirements and will involve the following duties:

• Assisting with the installation and maintenance of art exhibitions in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, video, installation, and sound
• Organizing website archives of previous exhibitions
• Assisting with the coordination and programming for our Artist-in-Residence Program such as organizing applications, studio maintenance, and exhibition scheduling
• Assisting Teaching Artists in the classroom with preparation and instruction

The Fountain Inn Center is willing to consider designing an internship to meet the qualified applicants strengths or areas of interest. Our Internships are not limited to the above descriptions.

How to apply:  Fill out the interest form below or mail a cover letter and resume to

Internships are filled on a rolling basis and opportunities may be available all year long.