The Arts Workforce Initiative Program

Now Accepting Applications
for Internships and Host Organizations!


The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) has launched its 2018 Arts Workforce Initiative (AWI) which is designed to provide internship opportunities for Connecticut college students, emerging professionals and military veterans at Connecticut not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations . Twenty-eight (28) individuals will be placed with selected host organizations for a ten-week, paid internship starting June 4, 2018 through August 17, 2018.

To be eligible for an AWI Internship , individuals must:

  • Be a Connecticut resident 
  • Demonstrate a financial need 
  • Align with COA’s READI Framework 
  • Have availability to successfully complete the program: June 4, 2018 through August 17, 2018
  • Specialize in or wish to grow professionally in the following categories: arts administration, arts presenting/curating, media arts, performing arts, visual arts, arts education, and literary arts
  • Be enrolled in an accredited college or university OR be an emerging arts professional (for the "40 and Under" Category)
  • Be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (for the "Veterans in the Arts" Category)

Applications must be received no later than midnight Sunday, April 8, 2018 .


To be eligible as an AWI Host Organization , an organization must:

  • Be a not-for-profit Connecticut arts/cultural organization

  • Be able to provide an internship opportunity within the following categories:  arts administration, arts presenting/curating, media arts, performing arts, visual arts, arts education, and literary arts

  • Be able to provide a hands-on and engaging internship opportunity 


  • Be able to accommodate an intern or interns from June 4, 2018 through August 17, 2018

  • Be committed to ensuring that the intern or interns complete(s) the required 250 hours


Applications must be received no later than midnight Sunday, April 8, 2018 .


Important Information:
  • The internship is for 25 hours per week for 10 weeks.
  • Selected host organizations will be granted $3,750 per intern and will pay the intern at the rate of $15 per hour. 
  • Interns will receive payment from the host organization where their internship will take place.
  • The internship must take place from June 4, 2018 through August 17, 2018. 

Reporting Requirements for Interns:
Interns will be required to submit a monthly report of their internship experience, including their work duties and internship milestones. All interns must have at least one (1) in-person check-in and at least one (1) monthly phone call with a COA staff member. In addition, interns will be required to attend a professional development session provided by COA during their AWI internship. 

Reporting Requirements for Host Organizations:
An AWI Host Organization will be required to submit a n arrative explaining the duties and projects that the intern completed, a work schedule/timesheet that will serve as documentation that the intern completed the required 250 hours, a financial summary showing payment to intern, and supplemental documentation. 

Questions:
Contact Adriane Jefferson at 860-500-2328 or via email.

Due to the enormous success of the AWI pilot program in FY17, COA has committed to expanding the Arts Workforce Initiative in 2018. The number of interns has more than doubled from 12 to 28 and the application process is now open to all Connecticut not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations that can provide a hands-on and engaging internship opportunity in the arts.

Last year, during the pilot phase of the Arts Workforce Initiative, twelve (12) individuals successfully completed internships with the following organizations:

Hartbeat Ensemble, Hartford
TheaterWorks, Hartford
Neighborhood Studios, Bridgeport
The Mark Twain House and Museum, Hartford
The Writer's Block Ink, New London
The International Festival of Arts and Ideas, New Haven
Expressiones, New London
The Amistad Center for Arts and Culture, Hartford
City Lights Gallery, Bridgeport
The Judy Dworin Performance Project, Hartford
The Autorino Center at St. Joseph’s College, West Hartford
The Arts Workforce Initiative is funded by the Connecticut Office of the Arts
In partnership with ArtsTie, the #1 resource for jobs in the arts, the Connecticut Office of the Arts is excited to launch a real-time feed of job opportunities in Connecticut.

Connecticut arts organizations can now post art jobs at no cost!

Individuals can find their next job in the arts by searching the live-time feed of job postings!
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