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Summer Internships at Bemis Center

Bemis Center interns assist staff and artists-in-residence with artistic and collaborative projects that help run the organization, execute exhibitions, deliver programs, connect with audiences, and support artists in the creation of new art.

REQUIREMENTS
  • Currently enrolled in a college degree program or a recent college graduate (within six months)
  • A passion for contemporary art and an eagerness to learn
  • Self-motivation, attention to detail, ability to work without much supervision, and strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to perform varying levels of clerical and/or physical work

BENEFITS
  • Professional development experiences and networking opportunities
  • A one-year Bemis Center Individual Membership
  • Invitations to studio skill-building demonstrations and tours organized in conjunction with our Residency Program
  • A collaborative work environment to experiment and learn with fellow creatives
  • Participation in an international network of artists

INTERNSHIP POSITIONS
Interns work within a Bemis Center department or directly with an artist-in-residence. The staff of that department or artist serve as a guide and mentor for the duration of the internship.


Artist-in-Residence Intern 
Artist-in-Residence Assistant intern positions vary each semester as Bemis Center helps tailor the position to the artists-in-residence, their disciplines, and projects they may be working on while at Bemis Center. The lists below are examples of the responsibilities and skills for this position. 

Responsibilities:
  • Art handling and materials preparation 
  • Artwork production and shop work 
  • Sourcing, research, filing, and archiving
  • Documenting work – photography and/or videography
  • Graphic design/website development

Skills: 
  • Enjoy working with materials, sourcing information, and want to gain hands-on experience in the studio
  • Familiarity with various studio practices preferred but not required
  • Interest in contemporary art and art production and/or working as a professional artist

Time commitment: 10 hours per week; days of the week will vary depending on the artist's schedule. Assistance with at least two events per month required.


Communications Intern

Responsibilities:
  • Work with Communications staff on researching, writing, and editing content for various print and digital communications
  • Assist with website content management 
  • Assist with online program and event promotions
  • Assist with distributing marketing materials in the community 
  • Assist with photo editing and organization
  • Assist with digitizing and indexing archival communications materials

Skills:
  • Experience writing and editing for a university newspaper and/or academic, nonprofit, or for-profit organization (AP Style and Chicago Manual Style)
  • Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud Design Tools 
  • Experience with MS Office software applications and Google Drive
  • Organization, creativity, and professionalism

Time commitment: 8–10 hours per week, Monday–Friday. Assistance with at least two events per month is required.


Development Program Intern
Responsibilities:
  • Work with Development staff on fundraising, donor cultivation, and membership projects and initiatives to financially support Bemis Center programs and operations
  • Assist in maintaining a system for documenting donations and grant awards and updating donor database
  • Assist with various administrative duties such as preparing mailings, printing, and organizing presentation packets for donor events and board meetings
Skills:
  • Interest in philanthropy, contemporary art, and/or nonprofit organization management
  • Experience with database management and impeccable attention to detail
  • Familiarity with Microsoft 365 software such as Excel and Word
  • Ability to communicate in an effective, professional, and friendly manner with staff and patrons
Time commitment: 8–10 hours per week, Monday–Friday. Assistance with at least two events per month is required.
 
Gallery Attendant + Administration Intern 

Responsibilities:
  • Welcome visitors; provide them with gallery guides and promotional material; answer questions and provide information about exhibitions, guided tours, and gallery hours; invite them to sign-up to receive our communications 
  • Monitor visitors while they observe the exhibition and ensure they are complying with gallery guidelines
  • Assist the Operations Team with basic administrative tasks

Skills: 
  • Enjoy interacting with the public and working with people of all backgrounds
  • Organized, independent worker with a basic understanding of Google docs, spreadsheets, and calendars
  • Comfortable working with numbers
  • Interest in art gallery or museum administration and/or nonprofit management

Time commitment: 8–10 hours per week, Wednesday–Saturday. Assistance with at least two events per month required.   


NOTE: The following intern positions have physical requirements due to the nature of their duties. 

Residency Arts Technician, LOW END / Sound Art + Experimental Music Program Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of these positions:
  • Must be able to talk and hear
  • Must be able to stand, walk, use hands to handle and feel
  • Must be able to repeatedly lift and carry a minimum of 40 lbs. without assistance, with the ability to lift up to 80 lbs. as necessary with assistance
  • Must be able to reach above head and down to the ground while using hand tools, power tools, and other equipment
  • Must be able to perform low to moderate manual labor
  • Must be able to crawl, bend, stretch, and climb while performing routine tasks


LOW END / Sound Art + Experimental Music Program Intern 

Responsibilities:
  • Assist with preparing LOW END, Bemis Center’s music venue, for performances including equipment, tech, and lighting set-up
  • Create guides, labels, and inventory lists for venue and recording studio equipment 
  • Help organize and prepare equipment and recording studio for use

Skills:
  • Curiosity about and passion for contemporary sound art, experimental music, and artists
  • Experience in running and maintaining audio/visual equipment
  • Comfortable working independently
  • Able to lift and move 30–40 lbs.
  • Basic understanding of Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint

Time commitment: 10–15 hours per week, Monday–Friday. Assistance with most or all performances at LOW END is required.


Residency Arts Technician Intern

Responsibilities:
  • Assist the Residency Arts Technician with general maintenance and upkeep of the Okada Sculpture and Ceramic Facilities, including regular shop cleanings, maintenance and organization of tools and machinery, and fabrication when necessary
  • Work independently on various projects for Bemis and artists-in-residence
  • Help maintain the Bemis Center’s studio spaces, including sweeping floors, picking up trash, and minor building maintenance

Skills:
  • Ability to use basic power tools such as a drill and a tape measure
  • Hardworking and reliable
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Thorough in completing projects
  • Takes direction well
  • Self-motivated

Time commitment: 10–12 hours per week. Assistance with at least two public events per month is required. 

Apply at:
https://www.bemiscenter.org/internships