Monday, April 20, 2015
Q: Has this experience been a rewarding one for you? Why or why not?
A:
Today I walked into my internship, headed to my designated table, and encountered a small surprise. Not only did I note that many of my coworkers were absent (you know what day it is), but I also discovered a strange phone and water bottle resting in my usual space. Peering down, I spotted a purse and a coat on the floor, too. I was quizzical, but lay my things on the opposite side of the table and sat in a different chair. I stared across at the foreign belongings. I felt weird and displaced, and began to question my existence until a girl I had never seen before approached my table and sat down in what had until recently been my seat. She introduced herself as Savannah, and she looked to be at least five years older than myself. She said she was an intern for some other person in the building, and that she had been with A & V since February. I let her borrow my pen.
This chance meeting was an extremely bizarre event; up until that point, I had not considered that there might be other interns at A & V. I knew that there had been ones in the past and that there would be more in the future, but for the most part I believed I was alone.
I don’t know Savannah or what she is doing at A & V, but I hope that her experience so far has been wonderful. I hope she feels comfortable with the office people, I hope she is working on things that make her feel important, and I hope she is discovering more about herself. I wish her all of this because that is what my experience has been at A & V.
These past few months have tested my diligence and stamina; I have poured hours and hours into my internship, but I have worked hard and accomplished things that I am proud of. I have written thousands of words and answered hundreds of emails. I have fine-tuned my writing style and crafted my literary voice. I have made copies, sorted files, set up stages, counted parking meters, carried bags of ice, checked coats, and taken so many selfies, it’s ridiculous. My internship has been so rewarding, and I wish Savannah and all future interns only the best in their adventures at A & V.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Q: What have you seen or experienced in your internship that has inspired you the most on your own artistic journey? Has this experience changed your artistic ambitions? How?
A:
I have a very strong idea of the things I do not want in my life. I may feel unsure of what I do like, but it is always clear to me what I don’t. From the time I was a little girl, I’ve had no trouble identifying the things that I want nothing to do with: hair clips, brussell sprouts, wool sweaters, country music, camping. The list goes on. This sense of self puts me at a great advantage because I am able to identify and eliminate things from my life so that I’m not weighed down by unnecessary, negative energy. Namaste.
As I’ve gotten older, this ability has helped me make more important choices regarding my future. For example, I did not sign up for a science class for my senior year; I decided that the college I thought I liked maybe didn’t really appeal to me after all; and through my internship, I discovered that perhaps an office job later in life would not suit me. This last realization was a crucial one, and it took a little while to surface.
Again, don’t get me wrong. I think my internship is fantastic. I just don’t think I’m really cut out for “office life.” I’ve had a great time adjusting and getting into the groove of things, but my sights are set elsewhere and I’m glad I’ve realized that. Before my internship, I thought that maybe I’d be alright with working at an office: I’m pretty well organized, I like having my own little space, the hours aren’t bad. Thankfully, my time at A & V has helped me learn a little more about myself, and I am able to take something away that will be relevant to the rest of my career.
I wouldn’t say that there has been one distinct moment that has “inspired me on my artistic journey,” but more so that the experience as a whole has changed the way I think. I may not be your 9 to 5 girl, but I’m sure glad I found that out before it was too late. To think that I almost accepted a full time position at A & V! Crazy.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Q: What is the difference between working on personal art projects and working in a creative business? What have you learned about working in a creative business?
A:
After about two months into my internship, I made the jarring discovery that Denver Arts & Venues is a large organization that does not revolve around the McNichols Building, where I work. In fact, there are many different branches within the organization, and it apparently confuses people when I say that I intern with A & V. That could mean the DCPA, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum, or Red Rocks; many have not even heard of the McNichols Building. So… What?? I’ve been disseminating extremely general information this entire time?!? Basically, yes.
I was aware of A & V’s separate divisions, but I made the mistake of thinking they were all centered around McNichols. I thought they relied on us for “business-y stuff” and “official paper things,” but it turns out I was extremely wrong. To the best of my knowledge, each venue is its own beast. They operate independently from each other and provide the city with unique services.
Please bear with me. I promise this is going somewhere.
I want to say that Denver Arts and Venues is not a conventionally “creative” business, but what I really mean is that my Denver Arts and Venues is not. I do not know enough about what goes on at other places, but from my experience at my piece of A & V, this is holds true. The McNichols Building serves as a venue, for sure, but it is predominantly an office that plans events. There are certainly creative aspects of McNichols, but as far as my internship goes, the work is mainly “office stuff.”
I don’t mean to put A & V/McNichols in a bad light. Not at all. It is simply the nature of the business. McNichols plans and hosts things, and they do a *~dang~* good job of it. They collaborate with creative people, and they execute creative things. They are the Power Rangers of organization.
I have learned many valuable things from my internship; there has just been less of a focus on creative projects. I have learned how to conduct myself in a legitimate office space, what business casual looks like, and how to write an email and not sound like a 17-year-old girl. I’ve learned how to show up 15 minutes early (if only I could apply that to other aspects of my life), and to not eat the cake left over from last night’s event. I’ve adjusted well to office life, and I think this experience has been really good for me. So while I can’t compare working at A & V (Okay: McNichols) to how I manage my own creative projects, I can say with confidence that I have learned a thing or two.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Q: How do people at work treat you? How does it make you feel? If you have an intern one day will you treat them the same?
A:
Depending on the type of situation I’m in, the people I’m around, their personalities, how well I know them, and how I feel at that particular moment, I can sometimes come across as very, very awkward. This is quite unfortunate, because there are so many instances in which this phenomenon occurs. If I feel sufficiently intimidated, I will revert into myself: quite similar to a snail with social anxiety. I can imagine being featured on some Animal Planet documentary series, a British narrator analyzing my every move: “The wild Elena finds herself surrounded by a pack of Teens. She senses an imminent threat and becomes defensive, subsequently throwing herself into the nearest pit of silence.”
Thankfully, I am significantly better at talking to adults than to people my own age. This small miracle plus slight intimidation equals half-normal interaction with my co-workers. When I first came into my internship I had a healthy amount of fear, but since then most of it has gone down the drain. I’m still awkward, but my co-workers are very nice to me. I appreciate that they don’t treat me like a child or an outsider; they recognize that I’m here for business, and it makes me feel more accepted. Talking to everybody and just being around the office more has helped a lot, and as it turns out I actually like some of these people (???). If I ever have an intern, I will do whatever I can to make them feel more comfortable. New people are weird and scary, but a lot of the time they are worth getting to know.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Q: What do you think is your main contribution to your worksite? Are you proud of your contributions?
A:
After much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that my main contribution to A & V (aside from my good looks, charm, and modesty) is the communication I have with the jazz fest folks. I email lots of people, ranging from jazz musicians to food truck business managers, and I request information and materials from them. I also try to answer any questions they have, although several conversations so far have ended with “I’m forwarding your email to Brooke because she knows more than I do!”
My fancy city email has proven extremely useful in not having to face people in real life as well as pretending that I’m an official, legitimate adult. This is my first time using Microsoft Outlook, but I’m getting the hang of things. I pride myself in speedy responses and professional tone, but I pray to God that Brooke won’t make me talk to somebody on the phone. Thus far I’ve had to make a few calls, but I would not call them contributions.
My greatest difficulty at A & V is keeping track of everything and everyone at one time. Next week we will be putting a binder together with all the artist information, so perhaps that will replace my current main contribution. I have very strong organizational skills and I like working with my hands (probably due to my mild, undiagnosed OCD).
All matters aside, my main contribution to A & V is my email work. I feel good about what I do because it is somewhat of a mental challenge, and I enjoy trying to keep everything in order. My next task will be organizing our information in a physical sense, and I look forward to helping Brooke on our journey leading up to the Five Points Jazz Fest.
Monday, March 2, 2015
March is upon us, and I can hardly believe it. Just months earlier, I was stressing over finals, my lack of a winter coat, and applying to my internship. Now, I am approaching three months at A & V and enjoying the sweet, tortuous flashes of spring. As of late, I only freeze to death every other week. Warmer weather signifies the end of school, and in my case the coming of Five Points Jazz Fest. Brooke and I (more so Brooke) are very busy in preparation for the event, and I am soaking up the whole process. My internship, as I mentioned in a previous post, is going well. It will become increasingly difficult as we move along, but I welcome the challenge.
Relations with my coworkers are genial as usual. Brooke and I communicate via email when we’re in the same room (kids these days), I have to reassure security that I’m an intern every time I enter the building, and people usually smile at me when we make eye contact (probably a good sign?). I think the McNichols Project was a bonding moment for everybody, but since the event things have resumed their usual pace. I wouldn’t say that I’m exactly “feelin’ the love,” but I must remind myself that this is an office, not one continuous wedding.
So far, my internship has been nothing but a positive experience. I look forward to the challenges I will face and the people I will meet. I’m excited for Jazz Fest, the end of school, and most of all the winter coat I will not be needing.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Q: What are you responsible for at your workplace? What do you think your main contribution to your work site is?
A:
Whenever people find out that I intern with Denver Arts and Venues, I am always asked the question, “What do you do?” “Um, I email people, I do a lot of office work, I dunno.” This response usually elicits an “Oh, that’s cool,” and sends them on their way. It is highly sufficient for the purpose of diffusing any further curiosity: not that I want to keep my internship a secret, I just really don’t like to brag.
Bragging rights certainly come with a gig as hip as A & V, but it’s not the hype that’s cool, it’s what we do. Or, rather, what I get to do. My responsibilities do involve “emailing people” and “doing office work,” but it’s much more than that. I communicate with artists, managers, vendors, and the like. I help maintain a presence in social media. I’m in on meetings and planning for events like the McNichols Project and Five Points Jazz Fest. I’m basically there for whatever job they throw at me, and I’m happy to do it.
My responsibilities don’t feel like “responsibilities,” they are more like important and empowering tasks. My main contribution to A & V is probably my correspondence with the jazz fest people. In general, I ask questions and put out small fires. Brooke has a lot to do, and I hope that my work takes at least a little off her plate.
I am very lucky because my internship with A & V is both enjoyable and productive. I feel special to have the opportunity, but: as Uncle Ben once said to Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Not only did that quote probably originate with Voltaire, but my English teacher and I both hate me a little bit more for using it. In regards to my internship, however, every bit of it rings true. I do have things that are required of me, and I suppose I have power as well. What I do is really cool, so maybe I can brag a little.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Q: How do your actions affect your workplace? Do you contribute positively? How do your co-workers’ actions affect your internship?
A:
I am a little more than a month into my internship, and I have to say things are going swimmingly. I feel that I am making great headway; I’m settling into a rhythm, becoming more comfortable with my coworkers, and overall gaining confidence in my abilities. As time progresses, my actions take on increasing significance, and I affect my workplace and the people I interact with in a positive way (or at least I’d like to think I do). In return, my colleagues provide direction and support, helping me to advance in my internship.
This past Thursday, A & V threw a giant party. There was art, food, drinks, music, and entertainment galore: just to describe the event itself would take more than 250 words. It was a phenomenal affair, and over 1,000 people showed up. I was there from 1:45 in the afternoon to 10 o’clock at night. I helped set up the stage, arranged lights, ran up and down two flights of stairs, got lunch for people (intern achievement unlocked!), printed signs, fetched things, talked to people, danced with a middle-aged swing instructor, ate popcorn, and checked coats. In short, it was a roaring success.
Thursday’s event made me ecstatic for A & V and happy with myself. The turnout was great, and I felt proud to be a part of such a dope organization. I put in some substantial hours and grueling physical work that day. The hands-on approach made my contribution feel even more real, but none of it would have been possible without Brooke and everybody else at the office. Brooke was the one who connected me with Steve and his production company, Tim and Alexa gave me the information to coordinate volunteers, and Peter found small tasks/jobs for me. My actions may not have a huge an effect on my workplace, but other people’s actions have a huge effect on me.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Q: What was the best thing that happened this week? How did it make you feel?
A:
For as long as my internship has been in session (which admittedly has not been a terribly large amount of time), my sponsor Brooke has made a continual effort to set me up with a city email address. This email address would allow me to contact artists, managers, and whoever else I would need to conduct business with. It would provide me with a reliable, professional means of communication and overall simplify matters. Sorry Gmail, I have nothing against you, but “@denvergov.org” just sounds so delightfully official.
After three weeks of filling out paperwork, numerous phone calls, and crying myself to sleep (just kidding), I finally acquired my city email. I now have my account all set up, and am consequently on a first-name basis with the IT people. Thanks Justin! After all of this, I can say with certainty that getting my email address was the best thing that happened to me this week at A & V. With that out of the way, I was able to move on to more important tasks and be of greater assistance to Brooke.
Once situated, I was put to work immediately emailing all those on the lineup for the Five Points Jazz Festival. In order to promote the event, we need videos, pictures, and bios from the artists for our Facebook page; it was up to me to reach out and request this content. I excitedly complied, thrilled with my newfound responsibility. This email address has opened up many new opportunities for me and has allowed me to further integrate into A & V. It stands as the highlight of my week because of the way it makes me feel: like an important and productive member of my organization.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Q: What did you learn from your first week at your internship? Did anything surprise you? Who did you meet and what do they do?
A:
January 15th, 2015: the first day of my first internship. I was nervous, excited, eager, and mostly stressed out because I had not anticipated the full duration of an RTD bus ride. Anxiety attack aside, I felt prepared for what was ahead of me. The first week would be an introduction to the next four months and a chance for me to find my bearings.
One thing that I gathered during my first week with Denver Arts & Venues was that the people there run a business. They are a team, they get stuff done, and they move on to the next task. This struck me because I had never been exposed to such an efficient and driven professional environment before. The office is like a machine, with everybody playing their part and working towards a larger goal.
That being said, I do not mean to paint A & V in a cold and robotic light; as a matter of fact, everybody there is extremely amicable, and I felt comfortable even on the first day. The friendliness was something that caught me off guard, however. I had this whole “professional persona” in my head, and that turned out to be thoroughly false. I learned that you can still be social and have a sense of humor while maintaining a sense of professionalism. All the people in the office joke around, share food with each other, and chat about their personal lives. I’m not sure if I would call this friendship, but it was certainly a pleasant surprise.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many people since my start at A & V. Brooke is my sponsor (the special events coordinator), and she was very sweet in introducing me to her colleagues. I met Peter, Shanna, Amber, Tariana, Tim, Patricia, and I will only come into contact with more people as the months go by. Everybody is involved with planning/coordinating events, marketing, promoting, art, graphic design, and more, and it is an honor to be able to assist them and take part in what is Denver Arts & Venues.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 – Company Research Assignment
Denver Arts and Venues is a government organization that manages and executes cultural events throughout the city. A & V is a proponent of arts education, public art, and other similar programs; venues owned by the agency include the Denver Coliseum, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Performing Arts Complex, McNichols Civic Center Building, and Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater. Mayor Michael B. Hancock is highly involved with Denver Arts and Venues, and has helped launched several programs to help integrate the arts into the community. One such program includes “IMAGINE 2020: Denver’s Cultural Plan.” IMAGINE 2020 aims to boost the creative economy as well as provide support to artists and art lovers alike. An additional project under A & V is the long-standing tradition of Five Points Jazz Festival, a major annual event featuring top jazz bands and musicians from Denver and elsewhere. Denver Arts and Venues seeks to enrich the lives of Denverites through art/entertainment, and their involvement in the community has helped shape our city into a hub of culture and creativity.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 – Artist Bio
Elena is an East High School student in her junior year. She has played the violin for too long and loves music too much. Elena enjoys making videos for her film class, attending and reviewing concerts, and eating bowls on bowls of phö. She is interested in pursuing a career in sound technology/music business and maybe even music journalism, although she hears that you can’t make a living wage doing that. She’ll probably try anyways. Elena’s dream is to work at a small, hip music venue in New York City, and her favorite bands include Metronomy, Jamie xx, Crystal Castles, Mini Mansions, Cashmere Cat, and of course the Beatles.
BBTA Intern Work Site 