Maine Arts Internships is the online resource for artists and art students seeking relevant internship opportunities within Maine.
Overview
The Maine Arts Commission is an information resource to intern-seekers and internship-seekers alike. Students interested in interning should check the Opportunities section of this site and contact the organization directly. The Maine Arts Commission can help with general inquiries, but specific questions should be directed to the organization contact person or the university representative.
Each internship is unique. Differences in expectations and evaluation methods may exist between different organizations; therefore, a clear understanding should be reached between the student, the school and the organization when entering into an internship partnership. The possibility of getting college credit for an internship will sometimes need to be developed between the university and organization. This is managed on a case-by-case basis, but universities are usually clear on the criteria for earning credit. If an organization has not collaborated with a university in offering credit to interns, the student may need to manage some additional paperwork at the beginning.
Information for interns
An internship provides an opportunity for students: They can gain professional experience, meet people in the field of their interest, reinforce their school work with practical application of knowledge, develop their skills, bolster their resume, gain insight into career paths of interest, and participate in a personally rewarding activity.
Some interns get considered for paid positions within the organization if they perform well. If an organization cannot hire their intern they will often recommend them for positions elsewhere.
As an intern, students will be expected to adhere to standards and ethics of the host institution, obey all rules and regulations of the institution, and maintain a regular work schedule. In addition to this, students will need to keep track of their time spent and tasks undertaken during the internship. This will help with reportage back to the sponsoring school. A prospective intern should be an enthusiastic person who can demonstrate some knowledge in their field of interest.
Here are some good questions to ask when considering an internship opportunity:
- Do I have time in my schedule to undertake an internship?
- What types of internships positions interest me and why?
- What kind of experience is needed in my career of interest?
- What are the important factors for me in evaluating internship opportunities?
Information for Organizations
If you are interested in recruiting an intern please log on to your account and post the position in the Opportunities section.
Hiring interns gives your organization a chance to get special projects done; it allows your organization to observe a prospective employee before hiring them, and it will open your company to new perspectives and ideas. It is also a good means of providing current employees with support and a chance for them to allocate tasks effectively. This venture will also increase the visibility of an organization within the schools and communities of its region.
It is important to have a task-plan when hiring an intern; this allows the experience to be rewarding for all parties. When considering applicants it is important to consider how the intern will fit within the existing organizational structure.Competency with office software, writing, mathematics, research, organization and editing cannot be assumed. Interns may lack the kind of experience and training a traditional hire would have, but you should be sure the intern has a basic skill-set that will be useful within your organization. It is never wise to assume an intern’s knowledge-base and asking specific questions about abilities up-front can prevent many headaches.
Here are some good questions to ask when considering an internship applicant:
- Does the organization have management resources to effectively direct an intern?
- What types of tasks can be undertaken by an intern?
- Do you have any special projects that have not been started due to staff shortages?
- How flexible is the organization in time use?
For more information please contact the Maine Arts Commission at 207/287/2724 or For other internship inquiries contact Peter Precourt at the University of Maine at Augusta (peter.precourt@maine.edu – 207/621-3511) who will answer general questions from students, universities, and organizations.