Internships

Internships provide an excellent opportunity to broaden knowledge, gain employment experience and receive credits for your major. A variety of internship possibilities in local arts organizations exist, and, if your internship is unpaid, the college has opportunities to apply for financial assistance. 

ARTS 3896: Internship in the Arts

Students earning credit for an internship off-campus can register for ARTS 3896.  ARTS 3896 is a one-credit course that integrates an applied learning experience in the arts with relevant academic work.  Internships may take place during the fall and spring semester, and registration happens during the regular registration periods. 

For BFA students, an internship is required. (The course ARTS 3481 Curatorial Practices also counts toward the BFA internship requirement.) 

For BA students, an internship is not required. BA students register for ID 3896 through the Career Services office. 

Internship opportunities are occasionally shared with art majors via email, and students can also visit the sites listed below to find an internship. Take a look at our Art Internship handout for more tips about arranging an internship. 

Great places to search for internship opportunities include:
Minnesota Nonprofit Job Board
MN Artists Opportunities Page
Springboard for the Arts
The College of Liberal Arts Career Services also lists internships via their database Handshake.

Registering for ARTS 3896

Once you have an internship located, there are some steps you need to take to register for credit: 

  1. Fill out the Internship Registration form (Google Doc) and get the signed form to the Art Senior Academic Advisor. You will need to attach documentation (one to two paragraphs) that describes the position provided by the hosting internship organization or individual, including objectives, types of activities, and the number of hours per week AND a written description (one to two paragraphs) of your goals, or what you expect to gain from the internship experience.
  2. Register your internship on the Career Services' Handshake site. Instructions for using Handshake. 

Previous Internship Opportunities

CLA's Career Services has searchable data on recent internships to help you see what other students' experiences have been.

Other organizations where Art students have done internships include:

  • Highpoint Center for Printmaking
  • Urban Arts Academy
  • Kairos Alive
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • African Immigrant Services
  • Caponi Art Park
  • "Iron" Wayne Potratz
  • Mudluk Pottery
  • The Ordway
  • American Craft Council
  • Walker Art Center
  • Articulture