Internships - Downloadable PDF
Internship Placements
Eligibility
Terms
Application Process
Credit and Recommendations

Organization Description
The Mystic Arts Center's mission is to "foster the creation, understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the arts through exhibitions, education, and community collaborations." The Mystic Arts Center offers a full schedule of exhibitions throughout the year. As many as fifteen exhibits are scheduled annually to provide regional artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work and the viewing public the exposure to artwork of all styles. Originally founded by an artists' colony, the MAC continues to be a gathering place for the community where people of all ages can attend an educational program, take classes in various media, socialize with fellow artist and art supporters, and enjoy changing exhibitions of contemporary art.

Goals & Description of Internship Program
The Internship Program is designed to introduce students and professionals interested in a non-profit or arts-related career to the world of a community-based arts center and to offer practical experience in the MAC's day-to-day operations. Our goal is to provide learning experiences which could not be gained by formal schooling or employment alone. Internships are a mutually beneficial relationship where interns gain experience conducting real-world activities in concert with a staff mentor, and our organization receives assistance with key projects and daily administration. Internships mirror the day-to-day jobs of the staff mentors who guide them. While much of the MAC's work is administrative, each internship is based upon projects specific to arts, education and non-profit functions.

Internship Placements
Internships are available in Development & Marketing, and Education departments.

• Education

Supports the department which plans and implements all public programs for various audiences including artists' talks, travel, school programs, studio art classes, teachers' workshops, and children and family programs. Conducts research, writes educational materials, manages on-line postings, and corresponds with constituents.

• Development & Public Relations

Supports the department which manages fundraising for museum's operations and programs through grantwriting, individual and corporate gifts, and events. Also responsible for museum membership and marketing of the organization, exhibitions and programs.

• Social Media

Supports the department which manages organization's public relations, fundraising and communications strategies through the use of various social media platforms. Develops MAC's use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn organization's communication into interactive dialogue, to reach new audiences, to deepen engagement with current constituents, and increase income from fundraising and membership.

Eligibility
Internships are available for undergraduates and graduate students, recently graduated students eager to gain museum experience, and museum professionals interested in career changes or between positions. Appropriate related coursework is recommended for internships in specific departments. A combination of academic or practical work, demonstrated talent or skill, and enthusiasm factors into placement with a staff mentor. We appreciate and encourage diverse backgrounds and perspectives in both our permanent staff and our interns.

Terms
The Mystic Arts Center offers internships year-round. Each intern, in collaboration with his/her mentor and the Internship Coordinator, will determine the specific time commitment necessary to fulfill the requirements for the internship and academic credit, if applicable. Internships vary in part-time hours from 10 - 20 hours per week (minimum 10 hours /week). All internships at the Mystic Arts Center are unpaid.

TERM DATES	APPLICATION DEADLINE
Winter/Spring Semester	October 15 preceding term
Summer Semester	March 15 preceding term
Fall Semester	July 1 preceding term

Application Process
Applications must be received by the application deadlines listed above. For internships that do not follow the academic semester calendar, please submit an application packet at least 8 weeks before an anticipated start date. All materials in an application packet must be postmarked by the deadline. After all application materials have been received, a personal or phone interview might be scheduled. Application packets should include:

Resumé Include the following information, in order:

• Personal information: name; current address, phone number, and email address; permanent address and phone number; nationality/citizenship
• Placement preference: term date; placement preferences (in order of preference)
• Education: institution of current enrollment; type of degree; month/year of completion; major and minor areas of study; list of courses specifically related to placement preferences; previous higher education
• Experience: paid or voluntary work experience; community, school, or business activities; length of experience; supervisor name and contact information
• Talents and Skills: foreign language proficiency (indicate reading, speaking, writing); technology, academic/research, or communication skills; other pertinent skills or talents
• References: names of two persons asked to send a letter of recommendation

Statement of Interest In a separate narrative, please write a statement describing how an internship at the Mystic Arts Center would impact your present and future goals. Discuss your placement preferences in detail, outlining how your academic and life experiences can contribute to the MAC. Finally, describe what you hope to learn and achieve as a result of your affiliation with the MAC.

Academic Transcript Submit an official transcript from the higher education institution of current enrollment. If you have attended your current institution less than two semesters, submit an additional transcript from your previous place of enrollment. The transcript must be postmarked by the application deadline.

Letters of Recommendation Two letters from persons with whom you have studied or worked are required and sent to the Mystic Arts Center in sealed envelopes with the rest of the application packet or under separate cover, postmarked by the application deadline.

Writing Sample Submit a piece of writing on an art-historical topic or from the field that most closely matches your placement preference. Please limit your sample to 10 pages or fewer and include a short explanation of the project or assignment.

Please send completed application packets to:

Dawn E. Salerno
Director of Education
Mystic Arts Center
9 Water Street
Mystic, CT 06355

Dawn.salerno@mysticarts.org
P: 860.536.7601 x209
F: 860.536.0610

Credit and Recommendations
Interns from educational institutions which provide credit for an internship may submit college-issued paperwork to their Mystic Arts Center supervisor for completion. Part of the internship experience should be to develop a relationship with the mentor, so the MAC's staff are happy to write letters of reference at the completion of an internship. The MAC's staff requires three weeks advance notice for completion of any paperwork or reference letters.