Now in its 19^th year, the LA County Arts Internship Program will provide 203 university and community college students with paid on-the-job experience at over 100 arts organizations across LA County this summer. Approved as one of the five initial recommendations from the Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative that were funded by the Board of Supervisors in 2017, the program was expanded last year to both increase the total number of internships available and, for the first time in its history, specifically reserve at least 28 positions for community college students. With the addition of flexibility for working students and the expansion of the program in 2019, the program will be continue to support increasing access to opportunities in the arts.

Over the course of these paid internships beginning between June 1 – June 14, students will be given the opportunity to build their professional skills and connections at nonprofit performing, presenting, literary and municipal arts organizations located throughout LA County. Students must complete 400 hours from June 1- August 25, 2019.

The Arts Internship Program provides a wonderful opportunity for college students to explore career pathways into the arts and creative sector, said LA County Arts Commission Executive Director Kristin Sakoda. Paid internships allow students to gain valuable work experience, develop job skills and provide an edge in a competitive job market while cultural organizations throughout the region develop future arts leaders and discover new talent.

Past participants in the LA County Arts Internship program have explored the professional side of finance, programming, marketing, arts education, fundraising, event production and more at some of the largest and most influential arts organizations in the County. In addition to the on-the-job experience they acquire as Arts Interns, participants also take part in educational and arts networking activities generously funded by the Getty Foundation. The Getty Foundation also supports internships at the LA County museums and visual arts organizations through its Multicultural Undergraduate Internship (MUI) Program, a companion program to the Arts Commission Program.

Applications for the program are now open. Any current undergraduate students, as well as any students graduating between May 1 – September 1 are eligible to apply. All applicants must be currently enrolled in a community college or four-year university. Applicants must also be residents of or attending schools that are located in Los Angeles County, and cannot be previous participants of the Program. Eligible students of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Students who wish to apply may do so by identifying the opportunity they are interested in at lacountyarts.org/internships, and applying directly to the organization offering the internship. These positions are highly competitive and must be filled by May 15, 2019, so students are encouraged to apply early. The Los Angeles County Arts Commission fosters excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles County. The Commission provides leadership in cultural services for the County, encompassing 88 municipalities, including funding and job opportunities, professional development and general resources.