I just completed reading the latest research from SNAAP – the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project. This research carefully looks at internship opportunities for arts majors in colleges around the US, how many participated in both paid and unpaid internships, and direct correlations between internships and finding jobs after graduation. Read more here. 

Today, I want to encourage arts administrators (and their organizations) all around the United States to see if you have the ability to host and support a few interns each year. Internships and service-learning courses are the best ways to bring "idea into action" and bridge the divide that can develop between studio work in college dance departments and real experiences in the arts community. 

For arts organizations, internships bring in vibrant, young energy and enthusiasm to your space. Interns are motivated, curious, and supportive. Since many arts organizations are frequently understaffed, interns can help strengthen an organization and support your work load, goals, and mission. It can easily become a win-win for everyone. 

Internships offer undergraduate dancers a window into real world experiences and give them hands on opportunities with topics and tasks that have not gotten discussed or taught in a college course – such as budgets, marketing, public relations, grantwriting, fundraising, and planning.

Thank you for considering the idea of internships. The SNAAP document can inspire us to consider this topic and reflect on our own undergraduate experiences. Did you have an internship? If so – how did it help you with your career path and securing work? If you did not have opportunities to intern, what do you wish you had? And most importantly, how can we support future generations of dance artists and those pursuing arts administration?

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