The Louisville Visual Art internship program welcomes college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who wish to supplement their education and professional experience by working in a not-for-profit art
organization. LVA internships offer experiential education in a challenging, hands-on environment in exchange for a substantive contribution from gifted and interested individuals.
There are three application deadlines and selection periods per year for our regular internships — our special project internships have various deadlines dependent on the project. Internships require a minimum commitment of fifteen hours per week for three months, during which time interns complete a specific project as well as daily assignments. Interns also participate in departmental meetings and various educational programs, as well as attend LVA events.
LVA does not offer paid internships but does participate in some cooperative education programs. Students interested in academic credit should contact their college counselor for more information. LVA seeks diversity in its intern staff and provides equal opportunity to its applicants.
“During my time working as the Education intern with LVA, I gained not only practical experience such as organization and lesson planning, but also realistic experience of what it is like to be in a classroom teaching students. I’ve never been a part of an internship that focused so heavily on my experience and making sure that I learned as much as possible. Many times it felt as if I was a part of the team, instead of ‘just’ an intern. LVA is doing such great things in the Louisville community, and I feel so grateful to have worked alongside them for the short time that I did. ”
The Application Process
Submitting By E-mail or Mail: Application materials may be submitted electronically by emailing
grant@louisvillevisualart.org after completing the online application.
Attach:
Curriculum Vitae
Any Additional Materials (i.e Portfolio or Other Projects)
Two Letters of Recommendation. Letters of recommendation may be submitted separately by email or mail with the applicant’s name in the subject line or address. If applicable, include your school’s credit requirements in the e-mail.
Please address any mailed materials to:
Intern Application
Louisville Visual Art
1538 Lytle St.
Louisville, KY 40203
Apply Year-Round
Internships are offered in the following areas:
Education and Community Arts Joint Internship
The Education and Community Arts Intern will provide assistance in initiating and managing, organizational and on-site support for numerous education programs, including the Children’s Fine Art Classes (CFAC) and OPEN DOORS projects. Duties include assisting in drafting grant proposals and reports, documenting projects through photography/video/blog as well as through the organized filing of completed project forms, continued organization of the program (i.e. drafting forms, refining filing methods, and developing program-specific website and branding), and participating in community oriented art-making projects next to professional artists and participants from various organizations around the city. Candidates must have excellent organizational skills, Microsoft Office, some photography/Photoshop/graphic design/ web design experience, positive and effective people skills, art-making experience and should be comfortable interacting with the public.
Design Internship
Intern will work side by side with LVA’s Creative Design Director to help execute various design projects relating to: education, outreach, and exhibitions. Strong design background required for helping complete various projects such as brochures, informational handouts, sponsorships packets, photo correction and formatting, etc. Furthermore, this intern will be responsible for daily tasks as requested by the business manager. Skills required: strong organizational skills, proficient writing and communication skills, and familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Communication and Arts Administration Joint Internship
Interns provide organizational support for numerous communications and administration. Duties may include general departmental duties, such as preparation of program packets, educational materials, research, correspondence, and scheduling. Candidates must have excellent organizational and basic computer skills, and should be comfortable interacting with the public. In addition, interns will work to increase visibility of LVA programs by assisting with mailings, social media, database management, and drafting media releases. Skills required: familiarity with Microsoft Office, ability to work independently, strong writing and organizational skills, flexibility, and familiarity with social media outlets.
LVA MAP (Mural Art Program) Internship
LVA's MAP Intern will work as an artist's assistant to a professional artist executing a large-scale commissioned mural at one of a variety of locations. The MAP Intern will gain valuable hands-on experience in the creation of a large-scale public artwork including design, planning, budgeting, painting, and community engagement. Skills required: strong communication skills, reliable transportation, scheduling flexibility, and painting experience. The MAP Internship will require a minimum of fifteen hours per week for the duration of the mural production-- typically three to six weeks, depending on the project. Interns are also invited to support other administrative and logistical aspects of LVA's Mural Art Program as a whole.
LVA Media Internship
LVA's Media Intern will work side by side with LVA’s Communications Manager to help execute various video projects relating to: visual art education, community outreach, and artist support. Strong media/video background required for helping complete various projects such as shorts for social media, mini-documentaries on specific projects, and more. Skills required: good organizational skills, strong communication skills, ability to work independently, reliable transportation, and proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Premiere and Photoshop. Internships require a minimum commitment of fifteen hours per week for three months, during which time interns complete a specific project as well as daily assignments. Interns also participate in departmental meetings and various educational programs, as well as attend LVA events. The media internship also offers a "fast track" approach where an intern could work full time for one month to expedite the internship.