Katherine Dunham Internship
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THE 2012 KATHERINE DUNHAM INTERNSHIP
The Katherine Dunham paid internship program was created by Sara and Jack Burke to give African Americans an opportunity to explore, gain experience in, and be mentored in the field of arts administration to help them find employment and achieve success working at cultural institutions.
The purpose of the internship is 1) to provide opportunities for individuals who currently are under-represented in the field of arts administration to gain experience in a number of different arts adminsitration areas; and 2) to develop the pool of outstanding minority arts administration professionals.
Who can apply?
College students or college graduates. (High school students will not be considered.)
Applicants may come from any academic discipline, not just the arts.
Artists from a variety of arts disciplines.
Those with a genuine interest to work for a cultural institution (dance organizations, museums, theaters, symphonies, performing arts centers, etc.)
Must be able to work 300 hours between January and May during normal Regional Arts Commission business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What the Katherine Dunham Internship will experience
The Katherine Dunham Internship experience may include work in grants, marketing, public relations, the RAC Gallery, the Community Artist Training (CAT) Institute, a volunteer program, or special projects with the intent of providing broad experience while also tailoring work to the specific interests and skills of the intern. Work may include assisting in the development of programs and materials aimed at increasing the diversity of RAC programs and audiences.
Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) was a legendary dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, author, and social activist who dedicated her life to addressing issues of social justice through the arts. After a successful career in New York and Europe, Miss Dunham lived in East Saint Louis, Illinois and Port Au Prince, Haiti where she established arts and humanitarian centers in underserved communities. She went on to receive the Kennedy Center Medal of Honor and numerous other awards for her contributions to the artistic and cultural fabric of the United States.
Goals:
The Katherine Dunham RAC Internship allows participants the opportunity to:
- Explore possible career paths in arts administration
- Develop and foster useful arts administration skills
- Gain valuable experience in different aspects of arts administration
- Attend a variety of arts-related events
- Participate in networking opportunities at the administrative level
- Enhance résumés and further develop career goals and opportunities in arts administration
Program Structure
The duration of an internship is a semester or 12 weeks (minimum commitment of 300 hours). While interns will work closely with their direct supervisor, they will have the opportunity to become integrally involved in all aspects of RAC operations.
Compensation
The compensation for the internship is $2,500. APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THE 2012 Katherine Dunham Internship.
