Kemper Community Apprenticeship

Are you interested in a paid internship with an arts-based organization? Apply now!  The Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP) and the School of Fine & Performing Arts (SFPA) are working together to offer paid internships through the Kemper Foundation. There are 16 internship opportunities in arts administration to choose from. All internships begin September 10, 2012 and pay $9.25 hr.

 Apply on ColumbiaWorks!

Applications submitted by May 4, 2012 will be given full consideration.

About Face Youth Theatre	Education Intern
archi-treasures	Administrative Assistant (Intern)
Association House	Out of School Time Intern
Ensemble Español	Design Intern
Free Spirit Media	Administrative Intern
Free Street Theater	Administrative Intern
Kuumba Lynx	Administrative Intern
Najwa Dance Corps	Marketing/Public Relations Intern
Neighborhood Writing Alliance	Education Intern
People's Music School	Development and Communications Coordinator (Intern)
Pros Arts Studio	Administrative Intern
Redmoon Theater	Administrative Assistant (Intern)
Snow City Arts	Program Coordinator (Intern)
Street-Level Youth Media	Business Intern
Yollocalli Arts Reach	Special Projects Manager (Intern)
Young Chicago Authors	Administrative Intern

Qualifications

Student must be enrolled as an undergraduate student during the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 semesters.
Student must be eligible to receive internship credit through his/her major or minor department within SFPA (Art + Design, Arts, Entertainment and Media Management, Dance, Fashion Studies, Fiction Writing, Music, Photography, and Theatre).
Student may not be concurrently employed by Columbia College Chicago.
Student must possess exceptional communication skills (oral and written) and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

The ideal candidate:

has a strong desire to work with a community-arts organization;
seeks to gain experience in arts administration;
will commit to Fall 2012/Spring 2013; and
is available to work up to 18 hours a week.

Internship Descriptions

About Face Youth Theatre
Education Intern

Who We Are: About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country, and around the world. Our award-winning Educational Programs are the best in the country for inciting dialogue about LGBTQA issues through theatre.

Internship Description : The About Face Education Internship position will mimic that of an Education Associate, primarily responsible for coordinating the outreach program, outreach marketing, managing social media (AFYT blog and facebook); assisting in the technical aspects of touring shows when needed; and coordinating work with the development department (specifically for grants).

Schedule : Intern will work a steady schedule of two full days per week, 9:30am-5:30pm (preferably Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

archi-treasures
Administrative Assistant (Intern)

Who We Are:  archi-treasures, a non profit founded in 1996 with the mission of raising community involvement in the urban landscape, is seeking a dynamic and charismatic student with an interest in the daily practice of a non-profit. archi-treasures is an arts-based community development organization that uses a participatory design and build process to develop public space. archi-treasures works in low to moderate income neighborhoods across Chicago partnering with schools, residents of affordable housing, and community organizations. 

 Internship Description : The archi-treasures Administrative Assistant will archive digital images of archi-treasures projects, compile materials for archi-treasures e-newsletter, document current archi-treasures activities, manage database and coordinate electronic marketing, provide technical assistance and content updates of website, assist with fundraising initiatives, provide administrative support for Board of Directors, attend community meetings and take notes, and provide assistance to the Director as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:  Strong knowledge of Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and FileMaker

Association House
Out of School Time Intern

Who We Are: Founded in 1899, Association House serves a multicultural community by providing comprehensive, collaborative and effective programs. We promote Health and Wellness and create opportunities for Educational and Economic Advancement. Current programs serve over 20,000 individuals and families a year and are offered in both English and Spanish in five main areas of service- which include Out of School Time Programs, Community Center Services, Behavioral Health Services, Child Welfare Services, and an Alternative High School.

Internship Description: The OST Program is a year-round program which serves children ages 6-18 in the greater Humboldt Park community. The OST Program provides enhancement services in six core service areas including academic exploration and enrichment, structured and unstructured recreational activities, arts and cultural programming, leadership and development, service learning opportunities, family involvement and life skills education. This is a direct service, as well as an administrative internship that will give exposure to a social service agency, specifically in the area of youth development. Intern will assist staff in planning and implementing daily programs and activities (i.e. curriculum planning, sports, arts, community service projects, field trips, etc.). Responsibilities will also include assisting with participant files, implementing surveys, reporting and other administrative duties. The Out of School Time internship will provide an exciting, unique opportunity to share talents, explore interests, develop new skills, as well as develop relationships with staff and participants all in the efforts to best serve our youth and teens.

Ensemble Español
Design Intern

Who We Are: Ensemble Español Center for Spanish Dance and Music, currently in its 36th season, is dedicated to the preservation, presentation and promotion of the classical, folkloric, flamenco and contemporary dance and music traditions of Spain. This includes the exploration of the country’s history and identifies its influence on Latin American art and heritage as living sources of cultural pride and education. Ensemble Español is the only Spanish dance company in the United States to honor all three forms Spanish Dance.

Internship Description : The videographer/technical designer will lead the project of logging company lighting cues, converting beta and VHS video tapes of company concerts to DVD format and converting audio cassettes to CD/MP3 format. The intern will also redesign and create various promotional videos.

Schedule: Flexible

Free Spirit Media
Administrative Intern

Who We Are: Free Spirit Media (FSM) is a non-profit organization based in Chicago that provides education, access, and media production opportunities to roughly 550 underserved urban youth annually. FSM partners with schools and organizations to provide project-based learning experiences to high school age youth. Participants develop creative, technical, and communication skills as they produce youth media products.

Internship Description: The FSM Administrative Intern will be assisting the Development Team in daily organizational administrative tasks. Some tasks will include data entry of donors and students into FSM’s database, supporting FSM events (fundraiser and youth showcases), supporting bulk mailings, writing newsletter content, visiting programs, taking photos, and managing photo archive, and supporting the Development Team. The Administrative Intern will also engage in marketing, web and social media efforts by supporting social media campaigns for the organization, brainstorming and assisting with graphic design, tracking Google Alerts and updating Publicity Spreadsheet, and updating CMS on website.

Schedule: The FSM Administrative Intern will work two days a week for 5-8 hours per day, or 10-16 hours per week.

Free Street Theater
Administrative Intern

Who We Are: Free Street’s mission is to open the potential of youth so that they can be active, creative participants in their own lives. Through discipline-based theater training that engage youth, professional artists and visiting scholars, Free Street Theater develops performances that explore artistic form, language creation and educate participants on both sides of the stage to address the issues and aspirations of their communities.

Internship Description: Free Street Theater is seeking a Program Administrative Intern to provide comprehensive program support that combines organizational management, administrative/clerical, analytical, and research skills. This internship will provide the opportunity to engage in a wide range of tasks including arts programming and development. Responsibilities include managing program calendar and other logisitics; maintaining physical and electronic files; compiling materials for mailings and meetings; performing Internet and other research; providing general administrative support; and drafting and editing correspondence.

Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with Mircrosoft Office Suite for MAC

Schedule: Flexible

Kuumba Linx
Administrative Intern

Who We Are:  Founded in 1996, Kuumba Lynx is an art and education organization dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving urban (Hip Hop) arts. The organization provides the following programs: Cultural Events, Kuumba Lynx Performance Ensemble (KLPE), free Drop In Arts, and Arts Residencies & workshops. The Kuumba Lynx Internship Program is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the organization's holistic approach to Arts & Activism through Hip Hop preservation, presentation, and production.

Internship Description : We are seeking a highly motivated, creative, and organized student to support our work. This challenging opportunity will expose you to both the administrative sides of running arts education programming and practical onsite teaching and coordinating experience. Learn how to execute KL programming for youth and their families. Internship will focus on organizing administrative systems, developing supporting materials, coordinating cultural events, including working closely with some of Chicago’s Hip Hop artists and activists as we launch our 2010 LIFE IS LIVING fest, and planning and preparing for fall, spring, and summer programs. Caring adults who want you to have a truly valuable and exciting experience will support you!  

Preferred Qualifications :Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop  

Schedule : Clarendon Park programming days: Mon/Wed/Fri, 10am-8pm ; Administrative hours: Mon/Wed/Fri, 9am-9pm

Najwa Dance Corps
Marketing/Public Relations Intern

Who We Are: NAJWA Dance Corps (NDC) is a company of professional dancers and musicians dedicated to the preservation of dance styles and techniques of different eras reflective of the African American dance heritage and experience. The Company performs dance within a historical context or from a historical perspective that is both educational and entertaining. NDC has grown over the years through presenting traditional and contemporary dances of Africa, the Caribbean, traditional Jazz (Swing) and contemporary Jazz, Tap and nostalgic dances such as Cakewalk-1900’s, Charleston-1920’s and Hip Hop of today.

Internship Description : The Marketing/Public Relations Intern organizes and updates mailing lists for email blasts (i.e. community organizations, dance organizations, etc.); compiles web/email lists/press releases; organizes and updates Facebook in congruence with NDC’s events; updates and maintains database of publicity promotions-newspapers, radio, television, etc.; participates in promotional and artistic activities for the Company’s major programs; and conducts research.  

Schedule : Mon/Wed, 11am-9pm; Sat 10am-8:30pm

Neighborhood Writing Alliance
Education Intern

Who We Are: The Neighborhood Writing Alliance (NWA) provokes dialogue, builds community, and promotes change by creating opportunities for adults in underserved Chicago neighborhoods to write, publish, and perform works about their lives. NWA sponsors free, weekly, and ongoing writing workshops for adults in libraries and social service centers. Participants are encouraged to write poetry and narrative about their everyday lives, personal histories, and neighborhoods. Selected pieces are published in the award-winning Journal of Ordinary Thought (JOT) and performed at 35 events annually. NWA is a community-based arts and social justice organization and is financially supported by contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, government entities, program fees, and subscriptions. The NWA team includes an in-house staff of 3–the Executive Director, Assistant Director, and Program Director–as well as workshop leaders, interns and work study students, and volunteers. We are a small but dedicated, efficient, and enthusiastic organization. Our office is located in Hyde Park.

Internship Description : The Office/Administrative Intern will assist the staff in all administrative functions, including coordinating mailings, assisting in meeting preparation and execution, database maintenance, and subscription renewal/marketing efforts. The intern will also work with fundraising appeals, events, and correspondence, as well as answering the phone and responding to email. Additionally, the intern will blog about his or her experience at NWA.

Preferred Qualifications: Interest in community-based arts and/or adult education

Schedule : Intern will work 2-3 days per week

People's Music School
Development and Communications Coordinator (Intern)

Who We Are: The People’s Music School provides totally free music instruction to lesser-resourced children in the city of Chicago. Music programs have been eliminated from many of our public schools and the People’s Music School attempts to fill that void. The School’s mission is largely a social one, intended to uplift young peoples’ lives through music education. Started by Dr. Rita Simo in 1976 with $625, a donated piano and a dream to make the world a better place, the School has prospered and today serves over 1,000 students in its Uptown facility and in various outreach initiatives throughout the Chicago Public Schools. We offer instruction in nearly all common instruments and work with many dDefferent styles of music. Demand for the School’s programs is tremendous – parents routinely camp out for days to try to enroll their children.

Internship Description: The main responsibility of the Development and Communications Coordinator is to help build awareness for and advance the organization. The position works closely with the Development Director and the Executive Director, and will offer an excellent opportunity to gain insight and exposure to a nonprofit organization at every level. Primary individual duties include: Help further develop and update website so it is a more effective communications tool; Help develop and produce a monthly e-newsletter; Help with social networking initiatives; Assist with marketing efforts such as press releases, newsletters, and other materials; Assist with grants, event planning, and other development tasks; Assist with the management of donor database (eTapestry); Work with program information and statistics for assessment and evaluation purposes; Support administrative program duties (instrument inventories, surveys, grading); Support miscellaneous duties necessary for day-to-day operations of the School

Schedule: Flexible. The People’s Music School is open from noon to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Pros Arts Studio
Administrative Intern

Who We Are: Pros Arts Studio (PAS) is a community-based organization which uses the arts as a catalyst for youth development. A dedicated cadre of teaching artists and youth inspire and support each other as art makers and active citizens. We create youth-activated safe spaces within each of three core programs: In-School Residencies, Out-of-School-Time Programs, and Community Celebrations. Founded in 1978, PAS has evolved from a single studio operation to an an extensive roster of free community programs in the visual, media, and performing arts at over 20 community centers and schools. PAS is an Arts Partner in residence at Dvorak Park and is committed to mentoring the next generation of community leaders, including the many young and emerging artists employed by Pros Arts Studio.

Internship Description: The Administrative Intern assists in organization and management of showcases for community arts programs: Youth Circus, Street Art, Mobile Lab, Ideas en Arcilla Community Clay Studio and ASM classes; helps organize, manage and is a willing participant in annual cultural celebrations for: Dia de Los Muertos neighborhood procession, Muertos de la Risa in the fall, and/or Carnaval in the Spring; and assists with website updates, marketing of programs, events and fundraisers via social network updates. Duties also include assisting office staff in general administrative duties that include but are not limited to answering phones, running copies, faxes, and/or data entry. The Administrative Intern may oversee reception area and/or office computer youth lab depending on schedule. Will help maintain art studio and supplies in order.

Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Schedule: Morning and afternoon shifts

Redmoon Theater
Administrative Assistant (Intern)

Who We Are: Redmoon seeks to transform the experience of our urban landscape through ephemeral events that disrupt everyday life and provide opportunities for public engagement, transforms streets, stages, and architectural landmarks, bridging international, economic, cultural, and generational boundaries with a unique brand of Spectacle: a public artform that is equal parts pageantry, gadgetry, puppetry, robust physical performance and visual art. Redmoon holds a twenty-year legacy of successful Neighborhood Arts Programs producing spectacle events of the highest standard through a participatory process with children and young people. Redmoon’s Neighborhood Arts Programming consists of three major components:

Long-term residency currently practiced through a multi-year partnership with Audubon Elementary School as the hub of year-round program delivery, professional development, documentation and curriculum design that establishes the programs best practices and research based evaluation.

Short-term residency, with Chicago schools and social service organizations delivered in or after school for four-twelve week sessions through a variety of processes such as arts integration, mentorship, workshop, and professional development.

Professional development and internshipopportunities for classroom teachers, school administrators, community program leaders, emerging educators, and emerging artists.

The public culmination of the work of our numerous residency partners is the Youth Spectacle, which supports a core element of Redmoon’s artistic vision: to build community and civic engagement by fostering the creative voices of young people in the creation of high profile spectacle performance.

Internship Description: The NAP administrative assistant will learn about and support the daily operations of NAP which includes organization and management of community partnerships, documentation and assessment of programs, communications and marketing to community, and Youth Spectacle production support.

Schedule: 10-20 hours a week

Snow City Arts
Program Coordinator (Intern)

Who We Are: Established in 1998, the mission of Snow City Arts is to use professional artists to engage hospitalized children in arts education to foster learning, development, and cultural enrichment. Snow City Arts is considered to be an accomplished program and a leader in its field, receiving several local and national awards. Recently Snow City Arts was recognized by the White House as one of the 15 finest youth arts programs in the nation when it received the prestigious 2006 Coming Up Taller Award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Too often hospitalized children are deprived of the same educational support enjoyed by healthy children. Our pioneering programs in Creative Writing, Music, Visual Arts, and Theater work to reverse this trend by providing much-needed developmental outlets. We use arts as a springboard for learning.

Internship Description: The Program Coordinator reports to the Executive Director and provides administrative office support to Director of Artistic Programs, Director of Academic Programs, Director of Development and Office Manager. Office Management Assistance includes managing administrative and secretarial responsibilities and tasks among administrative staff; monitoring, approving, and maintaining office and artistic program supplies acquisitions and inventory; setting up and coordinating meetings and conferences; assisting with data entry, running reports, creating documents and mailings; managing upkeep and repairs of computers and office equipment, as needed; ensuring security and confidentiality of data. The Program Coordinator Intern receives external inquiries and complaints; directs concerns to members of senior management; monitors and assists with maintenance of the organization’s website; monitors and implements the organization’s social media efforts; facilitates all external requests for photos, artwork, and videos and ensures compliance with patient privacy policies; conducts research; compiles data and prepares papers for consideration and presentation to the Executive Director, staff and Board of Directors; prepares agendas and makes arrangements for committee, Board or other meetings; attends Board, committee meetings or other meetings, as requested, in order to record meeting minutes; compiles, transcribes and distributes meeting minutes. Other Responsibilities may include supporting staff in assigned program and fundraising based work; assisting with exhibit preparation and set-up, including the creation of exhibit text; ordering and purchasing materials, coordination of framing, etc.; supervising volunteers and other support personnel; and assisting in special events and fundraising activities.

Street-Level Youth Media
Business Intern

Who We Are: Street-Level Youth Media educates Chicago’s urban youth in media arts and emerging technologies for use in self-expression, communication, and social change. Street-Level’s programs build self-esteem and critical thinking skills for youth who have been historically neglected by public policy makers and mass media. Using video and audio production, computer art and the Internet, Street-Level’s young people address community issues, access advanced communication technology, and gain inclusion in our information-based society.

 Internship Description : The Business Intern will provide administrative support to Street-Level’s Executive Director and administrative, development, and marketing staff members to help carry out the organization’s annual business functions. Additionally, the Intern will offer assistance with special initiatives / projects including the launch of Street-Level Studios, the organization new social enterprise program. The intern will also assist with development and implementation of marketing activities through social media and other communications avenues to engage youth populations, as well as carry out research to prospect in-kind support or sponsorships from local businesses and funders.

Preferred Qualifications:  Experience with Mac/PC platforms, fundraising databases, E-marketing/communication tools, graphic design, and/or video production   

Schedule : Flexible; Monday through Friday, 9:30am-6pm

Yollocalli Arts Reach
Special Projects Manager (Intern)

Who We Are: Yollocalli Arts Reach, a youth initiative of the National Museum of Mexican Art, is a platform for innovative, urban art practices that generate youth agency. The Yollocalli model is based on creating a space for experiential learning, collaboration with emerging artists, and the autonomy for youth to realize their own vision. Originating from the heart of Pilsen, Yollocalli is a safe and nurturing environment that enables a progressive dialogue in urban and youth culture.

Internship Description: The Special Projects Manager will work with Yollocalli Arts Reach, a youth initiative of the National Museum of Mexican Art and will report to all Yollocalli Staff (Director and Program Coordinators.)

Key Areas of responsibility:

70% Special Projects- Assist Yollocalli staff with all special projects including onsite and satellite youth programs, onsite teacher workshops, youth council, teaching artist residency, marketing and promotion, satellite workshops and partnerships, community programs, organizing and maintaining the Yollocalli Gallery, and evaluation implementation. Intern is highly encouraged to create special projects on their own that will benefit Yollocalli.

30% Fundraising- Provide support to the Yollocalli Staff by drafting grant reports; initiating grant research; and finding creative ways to fundraise (such as art sales, partnerships, sponsorships, and community events.)

Preferable Qualifications:
Past experience working with youth in a community-based organization
Bilingual (Spanish – Writing and speaking skills)
Interest in community issues and youth issues
Understanding of and commitment to mission and goals of Yollocalli
Comfortable and proficient using a wide range of communications technologies
Flexibility to work in a variety of spaces: office, gallery, museum, schools
Excellent multi-tasking abilities
Ability to apply creativity, follow through, good organizational and critical thinking skills to each task
Articulate, diplomatic and responsive
High level of discretion required when dealing in confidential matters
Comfortability and interest in fostering in a collaborative situations
Adobe design software knowledge – Specifically video editing knowledge

Schedule: Intern is expected to commit 18 hours a week. Some evening and weekend work is expected.

Young Chicago Authors
Administrative Intern

Who We Are: Young Chicago Authors (YCA) is 20 year old non-profit organization which provides cultural engagement opportunities and artistic mentorship to teens through writing, spoken word and journalism. YCA has worked with thousands of young people in school and after-school settings, delivering workshops, residencies, summer institutes and performances. Operating under the guiding principle that ‘everyone is from somewhere and has a story to share,’ YCA draws from realist portraiture, hip hop, popular culture and the tradition of oral history to provide young people with the tools and platform to tell their authentic stories. Core to our mission is to provide public platforms for the written word through the established youth publication Say What, our in-house publishing projects, open-mic and festival events. From weekend creative writing intensives to Louder Than a Bomb, the largest teen poetry festival and slam in the country, YCA brings students into a uniquely vibrant and all-city community that transcends cultural and socio-economic boundaries. Today, YCA sustains a thriving community of students, educators and teaching artists. We directly serve 3000 primarily low-income and under-served teens through our annual programming and reach a live audience of more than 4500 individuals through the culminating festival. As we enter our 21st year, YCA has established a citywide reputation of engaging youth in a civic dialogue about their collective identity and its place in cultural discourse. We are on the brink of a growing national and international profile through the screenings of the award winning Louder Than A Bomb documentary.

Internship Description: YCA is currently seeking internships focused on Arts Administration. We are a small core team of experts in non-profit management and arts delivery with teens. We have recently developed an organizationals framework and re-articulated the goals of the organization. We are currently in the process of developing an organizational rubric from which evaluation tools will be developed to better understand and articulate the work of our programs in order to strategize programmatic growth and smart business models which will support that growth. YCA Arts Administration interns will have a dual role in the organization. Tasked with developing and implementing the evaluation tools across our public and school partnership programs, s/he will work along side our resident teaching artists to gather qualitative and quantitive information about our youth community and pedagogy. S/he will get direct experience of the delivery and intension of YCA's methodology. Interns will work under the management of YCA's development director to assist in translating the information sourced into a narrative that will become incorporated into the organization's development and marketing narratives for our philanthropic community. The internship will provide a broad experience of understanding in arts delivery and the translation of that work into development campaigning and grant writing.