ARTH 403 Internship

The Department of Art History offers a limited number of undergraduate students enrolled in the Major in Art History the opportunity to undertake an internship at a gallery, artist-run centre, museum, festival, or other art institution or art-related event, as a 3-credit course within their degree program. Please note that not all applicants are selected; the internship is a competitive opportunity.

The purpose of the internship is to provide graduating students with the opportunity to take on a project in a professional art milieu as a complement to their academic education. Ideally, internships facilitate practical, hands-on experience related to curatorial and exhibition practices, research, archival and conservation strategies, as well as exhibition display and commercial art representation. Internship benefits include opportunities to network, find mentors, and earn credit within an academic program. In consultation with the Art History Department, it is the student’s responsibility to find an appropriate internship.

First point of contact for general inquiries about this experiential learning opportunity is the Undergraduate Program Director, Dr. Steven Stowell (steven.stowell@concordia.ca). If you are interested in the internship program, please read over the guidelines below to make sure you are eligible for this opportunity. If you believe you are eligible, please visit Dr. Stowell during his office hours, or set up a meeting to discuss the application process. Please begin the application process in the term preceding the term in which you would like to have the internship.

Student Eligibility

• Students must be currently enrolled in the Major in Art History, or the Major in Art History and Studio Arts, or the Major in Art History and Film Studies. Students enrolled in the joint major might be directed to internship programs in either Film Studies or Studio Arts if their planned internship pertains more to film or studio arts.
• Students must be in their third or fourth year of study (fewer than 33 credits remaining in degree program).
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or a GPA of 3.30 in recent terms.

Application Process

• Students must meet with the Undergraduate Program Director to discuss the internship they would like to pursue.
• Students are responsible for approaching a potential institution where they would like to have an internship.
• Once the student has come to an agreement with a potential Internship Supervisor, the student must complete the Art History Internship Agreement Form (available in the Department of Art History)
• The Agreement Form must include:
  • External supervisor’s name and contact information
  • Duration of the Internship, start date, end date and hours per week
  • Internship objectives
  • Scope of work: projects undertaken, duties, responsibilities
• The Internship Supervisor must sign the Agreement Form, indicating the Supervisor’s willingness to oversee the intern’s work.
• Completed applications must be submitted by the first day of the exam period the term before the internship will take place. Summer Term internships must be completed in the first summer term, and all work must be completed by the end of the first summer term exam period.

Internship Requirements

• The internship must be unpaid.
• The internship must be 75 hours minimum and 90 hours maximum over the duration of the term (approximately 15 weeks, can be condensed during the Summer Term).

Internship Evaluation

An Internship Syllabus will provided to the student after they have been registered in the course. In addition to the internship, students may be asked to do some or all of the following:

• A short Mid-Term Report detailing main tasks completed, signed by the Internship Supervisor.
• Attend a Careers workshop offered by the Student Success Centre, and submit a short report.
• An assignment related to developing professionalization skills (e.g.: a CV-writing, cover-letter writing, interview skills, etc.).
• A weekly journal and final report that records their experiences and learning outcomes. This must be 10-12 pages total, double-spaced and include any related visual material. Further guidelines will be provided.
• At the end of the internship, the student will give an oral presentation -with visuals- that outlines their experiences and learning outcomes.
• The student must also ensure their Internship Supervisor has received their Final Evaluation Questionnaire before the end of the internship.