How much do you desire to be paid for this internship? Explain why you are requesting the sum that you are and why you are worth being paid for an internship during these challenging times. How will your work as an intern benefit the business?

Feb 13, 2023 at 1:05 AM
Paid internships in the arts are few and far between – and this dates back way before the COVID era. As a law student with a focus in Art Law, many years ago, I was an unpaid intern at Sotheby’s auction house in New York City for one year. I worked in the Trusts and Estates division. At best, I figured if I were being paid my salary could have easily have been about $45-50,000/year. At worst, which was my reality – my salary was $0, not even school credit, BUT, what I walked away with was an incredible amount of experience, a high level of professional etiquette, an insider’s view into the world and business of art, and an entry on my resume, that very few undergrad or graduate art or law students have. Those 4 lines on my resume, which described my duties at Sotheby’s opened many doors for at least a conversation, interview, brain storming discussion, etc.

Fast forward to 2023. The world has changed. Interactions have changed; and needs have changed.

For this assignment, you must read the articles below, and take stock of your genuine feelings on paid internships and the current state of diversity in art institutions. When you are done, you should pick an artistic genre and an institution  which represents where you would want to have your dream internship. For this assignment, you will write a letter to the head of that institution and let him/her know why you deserve a paid internship in their institution.

In a three-paragraph letter, with no less than 6 sentences per paragraph, you are required to do the following:

1. Introduce yourself. Who are you? What is your background, the purpose of this letter, and what you hope to accomplish. What kind of internship are you seeking and why is this the right fit for you?

2. How much do you desire to be paid for this internship? Explain why you are requesting the sum that you are and why you are worth being paid for an internship during these challenging times. How will your work as an intern benefit the business? You may also choose to not be paid for your internship and you can make that clear to your perspective “employer”.

3. How do the current state of the world and the state of art institutions support your request? Are you experiencing any issues related to society’s current state, or your personal current state, which has influenced your decision to seek an internship at this entity?

Go for it!! I look forward to seeing your submissions.

1.The Commercial Art World Rarely Offers Paid Internships. That’s Not Just Poor Ethics—It’s Also Bad Business

An investment in people is an investment in long-term profitability.

Joe Dunning, January 5, 2021

The Commercial Art World Rarely Offers Paid Internships. That’s Not Just Poor Ethics—It’s Also Bad Business (artnet.com)

2.Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Curator and Author Legacy Russell on Rebuilding Art Institutions From Within

The curator and author sat down with London editor Naomi Rea.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Curator and Author Legacy Russell on Rebuilding Art Institutions From Within (artnet.com)

3.Museums

Two Years Ago, Museums Across the U.S. Promised to Address Diversity and Equity. Here’s Exactly What They Have Done So Far

We surveyed museums from New York to Detroit to Los Angeles to get a sense of where equity initiatives stand

Two Years Ago, Museums Across the U.S. Promised to Address Diversity and Equity. Here’s Exactly What They Have Done So Far (artnet.com)

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