Experiential Learning Opportunities in Arts Management
Experiential learning opportunities are key when investigating careers focused on serving and studying people, whether through internships, job shadows, or informational interviews. Below is a list of locations where St. Olaf students have completed arts management related experiential learning activities since 2000. Interns’ majors include: Art, Music, Economics, and Management Studies concentrators. Use this list to get started and to spark your creativity – there are numerous organizations not mentioned here that may also offer opportunities!
Organizations where Oles have interned in the past
Search by Location
- Choose an area where you would like to live for an internship
- Visit the area's Chamber of Commerce website, which should have a local listing of arts organizations and venues
- Pick organizations that sound interesting and check out their websites
- Check out employment opportunities, usually under "about us" or "get involved"
- If internships are not listed, send and e-mail. They will be able to tell you if seasonal, year-round, or part-time volunteer experiences are available. It never hurts to ask!
Look for Arts Festivals
Summer arts festivals across the country typically need seasonal, summer interns to make their festival run. You can find art festivals of all types including small, rural festivals, destination location or resort town festivals, or festivals associated and sponsored by professional arts organizations. Many even provide housing and a small stipend to offset any potential costs.
- Utilize online search engines. Google different variations of "arts festivals." If you look for music festivals, it is helpful to specify "classical music festival."
- Newspapers often profile arts festivals. Look for past reviews and articles.
- Talk to friends involved in the arts. Ask if they have attended or participated in any festivals.
- Ask professors. They are likely aware of different festivals across the country.
Deadlines for these internships vary, but often occur from January until late March, so begin searching early. If internships are not posted online, don't be afraid to send an e-mail of inquiry.
Organizations where Oles have interned in the past
American Dance Festival
Around the Coyote Arts Organizations
ArtOrg
Augsburg Fortress
Bahama Consulting
Bamboo Design
Banzai Entertainment, Inc.
Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative
City Pages Media Inc.
Clear Channel Broadcasting
Coffee House Press
Columbia Records
Ephraim Bay Publishing Company
Flaten Art Museum
Frank Theatre
Her Own Words
Imagine Theater Company
Jagged Edge
Kocina Marketing Companies
Machine Records
Madison Repertory Theatre
Mental Engineering
Milton Hershey School Art Museum
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minnesota Center for the Book Arts
Minnesota Orchestra - MN Orchestral Association; Public Affairs
Mpls. St. Paul Magazine
Mu Performing Arts
Muskegon Civic Theatre
National Gallery of Art
National Geographic Society
Northfield Arts Guild
Ordway Center for Performing Arts
Riverwalk Market Fair
Rockford Art Museum
Southern Theater
Speakeasy Magazine
St Cloud Civic Theatre
St. Olaf Theater Department
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
Stages Theatre Company
Swope Art Museum
The Jungle Theater
The Louisville Orchestra
The Playwrights Center
Tinderbox Music
Vintage Band Music Festival - Organized by Paul Niemisto of the Music Dept.
VocalEssence
Wewelsburg Museum (Germany)
INTERNSHIP POSTINGS
Where To Look-Piper Center Internship Search Resources
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS TO CONSIDER
Dance Companies
Ballet Companies
Opera Companies
Symphony Orchestras
Performing Arts Venues
Theaters
Galleries
Museums
TYPES OF JOBS AVAILABLE
| Artistic |
Management | Development | Human Resources |
| Set Design | Administrative | Marketing | Education |
| Recording | Stage Management | Curatorial | Public Relations |
| New Media | Directing | Library | Front-of-House Services |
| Costuming | Ticketing/Box Office | Archives | Audience Development |
| Technical Production |
