WORK EXPERIENCE INTERNSHIPS
Part Time, $20/hour
Artstart provides aspiring young artists in Sonoma County the opportunity to create public art that is placed throughout our communities, while learning professional skills and building a portfolio. Professional artists guide young artists though the process of meeting with clients, designing and creating the project, and installing the work.
During the six-month Internships, interns work under the mentoring guidance of professional artists who serve as role models and help them to experience art as a realistic profession or course of study. Interns work on creative projects throughout the organization, including murals, benches, mosaics, etc. In addition, Interns assist with administrative projects for events, outreach, social media, office tasks, planning, design, customer service, installation, and team leadership. Apprentices learn important transferable employment skills while pursuing artistic excellence.
Learning areas include:
-design
- problem-solving
-creative thinking
- collaboration
- negotiation
-meeting deadlines
- client presentation
- speaking skills
-timely completion of projects.
Currently, all ArtStart Long-term Paid Internships are funded through Participant enrollment in a Sonoma County WIOA (Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act) Program. The placements are available to youth candidates ages 16-24 who are currently not enrolled in school and identify as having one or more barriers to success and employment. These barriers may include: disability, mental health challenges, learning challenges, homelessness, being pregnant or parenting, former foster youth, low income, being or having been justice involved, basic skills deficient, having dropped out of school, English language learner, substance abuse, gang affiliation, trauma survivor, loss of home or unsafe at home.
If you live in Southern Sonoma County and are interested in enrolling in Career Development Services with a Sonoma County WIOA provider, which may include application for a Paid Internship with Artstart or other entry level career opportunity, please complete the online Interest Form here: (ppsc)
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Candidates for the Artstart WIOA Work Experience Internship should be currently enrolled as a WIOA Participant within Sonoma County and be interested in exploring a visual arts career pathway.
WIOA Youth Case Managers can complete a TWEX/OJT Request Form and submit to HSD, naming ArtStart as their WEX placement of choice.
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