Blog Post #10:
This experience has been seriously rewarding for me. Prior to this program/internship, I had a different perspective from my continued time spent at the CVA. My experience was limited, I attended the after school program but I wasn’t as actively involved or informed about the gallery and the work my sponsor does. I was able to attend art events with my sponsor, such as The NEA conference in Denver and meet/network with a film crew that visited the CVA. At the NEA conference, I was able to observe and meet with local artists and organizations in Colorado who are or hope to be funded by the NEA. I valued meeting the President of the NEA, and listening to a panel ask questions about the future of funding for arts programs across the nation. When a film crew visited the CVA, I able to actively observe and ask questions about their techniques and gear. I was interviewed about my experience at the Young Artist Studio program, and then followed through with my own film project by interviewing other instructors and my sponsor. My experience has brought me closer to the art community in Denver, as well as closer to what I believe is the path of my own artistic journey. The most important thing I learned during my internship was the work experience in an real creative industry setting, and what the power of working in the arts has on the community.
Blog Post #9:
During my time at the CVA, what has inspired me most on my own artistic journey has been the opptertunies of learning in the gallery and meeting/being around other artists. In my own artistic journey this has allowed me to get more of a sense of working in a creative industry, seeing day to day tasks, projects development, triumphs and failures. During my time at the CVA, I have been completing my last semester as a high school senior, so my path at my internship was mirrored with my path in figuring out my future plans. Being at the CVA, attending first friday, meeting artists, filming, and working on projects, just affirmed my path in the arts and what I want to be doing in the future. The internship has helped my artistic journey, as my sponsor and I had the opportunity to discuss and evaluate my future plans and commitments. I was able to explore my different interests in film, visual arts, and other art community engagement. My time in the gallery has motivated me more to pursue and secede in my chosen artistic path. My experience has not changed my artistic ambitions, just increased them and my focus.
Blog Post #8:
My internship project is going great, I am in the second phase of the project. I’ve finished all the pre-production I needed, for the promo film. Now I’m beginning to get ready to film interviews. The process of the film started the first week of my internship with a discussion with my sponsor. We understood that a majority of my time spent during the program would be working on the promotional video. In the beginning my sponsor and I discussed possible paths to take for the project, as well as the materials I would need VS what could be provided for me. At first there was some uncertainly with being able to use editing software on a working computer, however this was resolved after some problem solving. The first phase of the project after discussing my creative position and the goals of the video, was to go over the footage, make a shot list, script, and story boards. Once I started working on my own went over the footage, I realized a majority of the footage from the program was either unexciting or unusable for the direction we discussed. My sponsor and I decided that I would do my best by editing the footage we had, however with the addition that I make the proper storyboards and shot list for the upcoming summer program. Although a challenge and not a specific video I would make as a personal creative project, I see the bridge in editing skills and production I enjoy.
Blog Post #7:
Creative business is the tasks you are payed for and required to complete. Personal art projects are either done on your own time or after the required business is finished. I’ve learned that in creative careers, especially from my time at my internship, personal projects can be done or worked on, but their is also business. My sponsor, for example can execute personal projects or go on a more individual path with the space and resources provided, however she still has to do paperwork or other requirements with her job. What I’ve learned from my experience as an intern and my time at the CVA is, creative careers are possible, having a career in the arts is possible but it requires some give and receive. I don’t expect to go on to college and major in something like studio arts then get payed to draw or paint for the rest of my life. I understand that I may find a career that allows me to use what I’ve learned and do what I love, just with the business aspect attached. This relationship also applies with my work as an intern, I know I have a personal project but in order to work on that my internship duties and tasks must be completed first. It sounds like a parent telling their child they have to eat their vegetables if they want desert, which is true but in the case of creative careers I think it’s positive work whether personal or business.
Blog Post #6:
People at work treat me very respectfully. As I’ve said before, my time previous at my internship has given me the chance to already develop relationships. When I first started going to my internship three years ago, I didn’t really know anyone yet alone know them enough to have an conversation. During such time, I didn’t see my sponsor very much only sparingly from time to time. I knew her from seeing her but I didn’t know what her role at the CVA was or anything about the gallery or education program in general. Since starting my internship, I have noticed that the time has given me more opportunities to get to know my sponsor. In comparison to three years ago, I now have a much more friendly/ in-depth relationship, where the respect was always present. This makes me feel very nostalgic, as it might be my final year there if I go out of state to college. I value the influence, knowledge, and experience my sponsor and the after school program she was apart of, has given me. The common respect and friendly aspect to our relationship, makes me feel as though I belong and fit in to the workplace environment of the workplace. I am thankful I have a sponsor that makes me feel included as well as apart of of the tasks and project I help with. If I had an internship for a day, I would make them feel welcome and included. Although I’ve said before, an intern has a certain responsibility to make the most of their time and experience, as a sponsor I would reach out to make them feel welcome. Being an intern, or a new employee at a new workplace can be a little scary or uncertain. I would want my intern to feel comfortable enough to ask questions and engage with me with projects and tasks, overall making them feel welcome and that they belong.
Blog Post #5:
So far, my internship is going well. I have enjoyed spending more time at the CVA, then I have before but time spent differently. From my previous time at the CVA, most of my time would be not behind the scenes but engaged in their after school program YAS. As I begin to embark on the steps/process of my internship project, I’m looking forward to the path I’m going down for the remainder of my time. That being said, the low lights have been getting everything started to be at this point. The end of January through February were a slow start in getting the schedule in sync, and personally for me get caught up. I think a low and high light would be the internship in general. What I mean by that is, although I am familiar with the CVA and the workplace as it might be a low light, the high light is the opportunity to make something more, new, and different with my time here. I think I’m making connections with my sponsors as well as with the YAS art teacher, which is what I didn’t expect. I assumed coming into my internship, I would not be making further connections as I was already familiar with my sponsor and the environment. However, I’ve learned the time here has given me, the unique opportunity to connect and engage with my sponsor on a new level of creative intellect. Building on to my low and high light theory of the internship, I think I can make the internship even better by thinking of ways to make it different. I may have already spent a lot of time at the CVA, but I need to keep in mind how I can learn and do things different to make the most out of my experience. I think I will be able to do this by, expanding on the goals I want to accomplish. For example, one of my goals being meeting and communicating with more creative career people, I could then network and introduce myself on walking trips around the Santa Fe. art district. I’m still thinking of interactive ways to make my internship even better, but for now the most important aspect is my state of mind and attitude.
Blog Post #4:
When I arrive at my internship, my daily duties are to fill out my time sheet and then clean up the classroom. The classroom in the gallery is used for events and especially for the after school program, The Young Artist Studio. Along with general gallery upkeep, picking up trash if I see it and notifying someone of other issues unnoticed, I do a swept through of the classroom. I usually tidy up and clean the tables. Before working on tasks/assignments for the day, I have a short one on one talk with my sponsor where we discuss the video project and what I should focus on for the day. This week specifically, I was responsible for beginning to work on the idea for the video project to branch into the production steps (shot list, treatment, script, etc.) During my orientation, a few weeks back, we discussed that it was important as both a responsibility and contribution to have and ask questions about the gallery and other aspects of the workplace. As an intern, I contribute to the space of the after school program as my connection to my sponsor extends to the environment of the classroom and instructors of the program. Additionally, once finished, the video project with contribute to the future and presentation of another program offered during the summer for the Creative Industries Internship. Before leaving for the day, I have the daily duty of having my sponsor sign each day I’m there on my time sheet and going over what I was and wasn’t able to work on for the day. Getting an idea of the progress happening and other possible directions and tasks that can be explored or completed.
Blog Post #3:
Actions affect the workplace, especially my workplace, by the level of focus and involvement. I get more out of my experience if my actions are focused, and I am ready to engage in whatever my sponsor has going on that day. If my behavior was unenthusiastic or not engaging at a professional level, I would not be learning or gaining much from the experience.A sponsor is not tasked with trying to make me excited or proactive in the workplace. It’s my role, both professionally and as a intern to make the most out of the program and workplace. When I do go into my internship, I contribute positively by having a positive engaging attitude. I’m focused and ready to be involved or offer help on a number of different tasks for that day. My actions have allowed me to connect with my sponsor better, when I ask questions about her career and aspects of the creative industry. Instead of having one main focus, my experience and familiarity at the CVA allows me to help and work on a number of tasks and activities available. I can discuss grants, projects, gallery operations, after school program operation, creative careers, and art education with both my sponsor and other employees. Although I have felt comfortable in my internship for awhile, my overall respectful behavior has allowed me to be in a workplace that is both familiar and mentally as well as creatively engaging.
Blog Post #2:
After my sponsor returned, I was back to work in making up January hours, planning, and discussing. Although we are still in the design/planning process of the potential video, I get excited talking about the upcoming editing project. I’m excited that it’s definitely going to be a challenge with the footage available and I’m excited to start such a different video project that I’ve never done before. In trying to make up hours this week, I attended first Friday, which was the best thing that happened this week. Although I’ve attended First Friday before, this week was especially special. One of the artist’s in the current exhibits, was going to be present to talk and sell their work. The artist was a print maker, a medium that I also practice and am quite interested in. Aside from helping my sponsor, I was also stoked to have the opportunity to be introduced to a local artist and see more of their work. This was somewhat of a challenge for me, as one of my goals for my internship is to work on my communication and networking with local artists. This goal was being challenged throughout the night as well, not just with the guest artist. A study abroad group visiting the gallery was on a scavenger hunt; one of their tasks asked them to interview an artist. When the guest artist was visibly busy, multiple groups asked me if they could interview me. They asked if i was an artist and hesitant as first I replied with “I guess? I’m not an artist with work in these shows however.” I was interviewed by two groups, which although awkward at first was good practice talking with people, especially about my own work and experience as a artist. At the end of the night, I felt accomplished. I enjoyed being in an environment with both artists and those interested in art, I also enjoyed being able to discuss and ask questions with others. After this week, and working First Friday, I’m looking forward to more events at my internship with additionally opportunities to work on my communication and networking.
Blog Post #1:
My first week at my internship, was spent planning my time there for the semester. Having already spent three years at the CVA, and already hundreds of hours, there wasn’t a lot of new things to talk about that I already knew. The advantage to spending more hours at the gallery then at my own house, it felt great to start immediately. Once going through the orientation process- the packet and questions- I was surprised by the in depth conversations we were already having about possible ideas for the project and other tasks. I also enjoyed finally introducing myself to other staff at the gallery now as a intern, instead of the colored hair art kid that is always there and is very quiet. I did engage in code switching, I behaved more professionally and talked more about the internship and other professional topics. I feel comfortable in the space from my time here so there isn’t as much code switching that I notice. After my first week at the internship, I spend 10 days as my intern sponsor is out of town.