Art Professional Practice Professor Jane Farver (center) introducing BFA students to artist and author Jackie Battenfield (center left). Photo by the author.
All of the Fine Arts undergrads are required to participate in an internship in addition to their regular coursework while studying in New York City. This unique addition to the NYC semester curriculum makes use of some of the plentiful opportunities for professional development that the city has to offer; such opportunities would be much more of a challenge for students to find in Ithaca. I sat down with the B.F.A.’s to find out a little more about where they’re interning and what it’s like:
1) Aisha Abbassi, B.F.A., ’16
- What is your internship?
I am working for Arcade Creative Group, which is the creative group of Sony Music and Columbia records.
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
I thought it would be interesting to see how what I’ve studied in art would apply to a big corporate company rather than a smaller fine art focused group such as a gallery or museum.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
Usually I go in and if I don’t have a project I’m working on from the previous day, I ask people if they need help. It could be cutting up paper or helping design album covers and redesigning logos. The best part is being the entire creative group’s intern; I can work in a variety of fields—graphic design, video production—there are many things to explore. The worst part is that the amount of work I have is inconsistent—sometimes I have nothing to do, other times I’m overwhelmed.
2) Liseidy Bueno, B.F.A., ’15
- What is your internship?
I’m a graphic design intern for nAscent Art.
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
I knew I wanted to do some kind of design internship, so I looked for things in the city that would give me good work experience for my portfolio. I looked for smaller companies and firms.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
This is what I want to do as a career. This could lead to another internship in the summer and hopefully a job when I graduate.
3) Sara Cheong, BFA, ’16
- What is your internship?
Design/Marketing at Pilobolus Dance Company.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
Sitting down and working. A lot of computer work. The best part was going to Connecticut yesterday to meet their home office. The office here in New York is very small.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
I’m designing a lot of posters and merchandise but I guess I’m not learning anything from a supervisor… However, I am learning how to manage social media and marketing techniques.
4) Jae Hee Cho, BFA, ’15
- What is your internship?
My internship hasn’t started yet, but is starting next week. I will be the personal assistant of the Artbook Director, Skuta Helgason at MOMA PS1.
5) Minhye Choi, BFA, ’16
- What is your internship?
Sony Music Entertainment, Recordings, Digital Marketing.
- Why did you choose to pursue this internship?
I wanted to apply the skills I’ve learned in fine arts to another field. I’m a business minor so I wanted to incorporate these two areas of study. My internship includes working with social network and making instant videos for Singer of the Month, for example.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
Definitely a career in the future. This is a field I can go to with my fine arts background.
6) Jessica Chu, B.F.A., ’16
- What is your internship?
International Studio and Curatorial Program.
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
I chose it because I like that it’s an international community of artists. It’s great to interact with artists from different places who are all very experimental and emerging too.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
I sit at a desk and do database work and go through applications to the residency program. I also sit in on staff meetings. The best part is getting to talk to the artists. The worst part is it’s cold!
7) Esther Jun, B.F.A., ’15
- What is your internship?
I’m working at Abrams Books.
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
I was interested in learning about the workings of a publishing company. This specific one concentrates on books about art, artists, and architects so it fits my interests more than general publishing houses.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
It will help me see if I want to pursue a career in the publishing world. Also it’s a good resource for me as I am constantly surrounded by books about artists and illustrations.
8) Lauren Jung, B.F.A., ’16
- What is your internship?
Sony Music, Creative Department.
- Was it what you expected?
It’s different from studio practice, which is interesting. In studio I generally work alone, but now I’m working with a lot of people. This is helping me as an artist but also as a working person in general. It’s great to work in a community and build connections.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
I arrive and get to work right away, either from the day before or a new task sent to me through IM. My projects usually involve using Photoshop and designing CD covers. The worst parts are the periods of time when I don’t have anything to do and am just waiting. The best part is getting to work with Aisha collaboratively on a project.
9) Valerie Kwee, B.F.A., ’16
- What is your internship?
I am a design intern for the design agency, Kate Moodie Creative.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
I’ve done a lot of things—trend boards, calling people, admin work, going to fairs…The highlight will be going to fashion week this year! The worst part was that I was taking the wrong train for a while and it took an extremely long time to get there!
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
I was really interested in magazines and design and I thought it would be really cool to learn and see what it was all about.
10) Naima Reddick, B.F.A./B.A. Biology, ’17
- What is your internship?
Gallery Nine5.
- Was it what you expected?
For the most part yes. It’s interesting seeing the behind the scenes work of a gallery. I didn’t realize galleries go and actually scout artists—even B.F.A. students for shows.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
It helps me understand how galleries try to find artists, what they look for in artists, and how they build an image. It’s a good thing to know if I become an artist or if I work in a gallery.
11) Danni Shen, B.F.A./B.A. Art History ’15
- What is your internship?
ArtNews editorial intern.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
We meet with our supervisor who’s the Executive Editor, Robin Cembalest. Then we preview and read over articles. Yesterday I worked with Barbara Pollack who is the China correspondent. We also do a lot of blog work and maintaining the ArtNews website—that’s the tedious part. The best part is when we get to go to openings with Robin. Yesterday I went to a VIP reception of a Xu Bing show. I got to meet him! It was really exciting—the best part so far.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
It really affects how I see the art world and how art world media plays a really big part in the recognition of artists and news throughout New York and internationally.
12) Melody Stein, B.F.A., ’16
- What is your internship?
Storefront for Art and Architecture production and curatorial intern.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
Generally, working with other interns preparing for a show or taking a show down. Storefront is both a gallery and a foundation so I’ll be sorting emails and working on administrative stuff in the morning and then working with exhibiting artists to install a show in the afternoon. The best parts are getting to meet people and see shows come together. The worst part is probably how cold it gets. The gallery is not very insulated and recently it’s been extremely cold.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
I get to meet some really remarkable artists and architects so the connections are very good. The process of researching some of they’re work and just talking to my boss is also very beneficial to my current practice as well.
13) Emily Teall, B.F.A., ’16
- What is your internship?
I am interning with an artist, Angiola Churchill. This means I get to help her put together pieces, but I also get to go to galleries, sort massive amounts of old work, and meet other artists. I’m excited for it!
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
I did not want to be in an office all day, and I hoped to have some insightful conversations with artists about their practice. Because I’m with an artist, I can see the process by which artists create exhibitions and document work. I thought I would gain more from this than from interning with a museum or gallery.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
Sorting through images of work, repairing broken work—Angiola works with thin paper—documenting work, running errands, meeting artists, visiting galleries…all’s been good!
14) Jin Young Yoo, B.F.A. ‘16
- What is your internship?
I work at Dieu Donné Inc. Papermill.
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
The print studios back at Cornell recently adapted paper making into the curriculum and as a print studio monitor I thought it would be beneficial to work in an artisanal papermill and experience the range of possibilities possible with paperwork. Also, my boss, Lauren Valchuis, studied briefly at Dieu Donné.
- What does a normal day entail? What are the best and worst parts?
I get there in the morning and my boss gives us a summary of what we have to do for the day. Do ho Suh is a current artist the studio is working with. Currently, we are experimenting with different kinds of Asian fibers to caste Korean post World War II school uniforms. The best part is meeting new artists. We have four artists in residence, four guest artists, and we also have open studio for artists who rent space.
15) Katrina Yu, B.F.A., ’15
- What is your internship?
Advertising and graphic design for Loyal Friend.
- Why did you choose to pursue this specific internship?
It is about graphic design. I applied to a lot of fashion and design internships.
- How do you see this experience either benefiting your current practice or leading to a career in the future?
Basically, professional skills. Photoshop, illustrator, etc.