How to Not Suck at Your Art Gallery Internship

Experts give tips on how to be a knock-out intern.

July 17, 2013

Image via Complex Original

Starting a career in art can be difficult. It's a is highly nuanced place that's tough to navigate. Also, it's a cutthroat environment with galleries battling the economy and competition to stay open. This means that interns need to be at the top of their game to stay afloat in most galleries. We wanted to give you some advice on how to be the best art gallery intern ever.

In an effort to give you the best advice, we've reached out to various galleries in cities all over the US to find out what they look for in an intern. Check out our tips on How to Not Suck at Your Art Gallery Internship.

Even though you really want to intern at a gallery, be selective.

Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking we should jump at any opportunity that comes up. But it's important to choose specific programs that will be the best fit for you. Jay Heuman, the Public Programs Coordinator at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) wrote to us in an email, "Apply for internships/fellowships that are well-suited to your educational and professional goals." He continued, "Do not apply for 'just any' internship/fellowship. Have specific reasons for applying to a specific museum/position. And do not apply for anything beyond your qualifications."

Make sure you are serious about the opportunity.

Administrators at Gallery Diet in Miami say a common misconception of art gallery internships is that, "they're just a fun, easy going way to get college credit. " They explained via email, "We work hard to ensure that our internships provide an experience that can be carried into the work place. We structure reading programs, access to artists and clients, and insist that in return the intern be serious, dedicated and committed to their work." So be sure you are in it for the right reasons.

Regard your internship as if it was an extended interview.

An Associate at New York's Catharine Clark Gallery, Ariel Rosen, wrote to us in an email, "Treat the internship as a job, give it your all, be open and receptive and ask intelligent questions. Try to figure out how small tasks contribute to the greater functioning of the space. Above all, have a positive attitude. We know filing isn’t thrilling, but we would do it when you’re not there, and we need to see that you remain upbeat even when faced with less than ideal tasks."

You're not going to get to the top on the first day.

You're not going to be a baller the very first day.

Remember that people who have succeeded in the industry logged in their hours. You should expect to do the same. According to Kelli Montgomery, Executive Director of the Austin Visual Arts Association, "From my experience, the best art interns are the ones who are willing to do whatever needs to be done, not just what they want to do," she told us via email. "Many interns come in with the idea that they should be in a leadership role right away. To get there though, future arts leaders have to understand every aspect of the job. Nothing in the process is menial. Every detail is important."

Remember that anything and everything is a resource.

Remember that everything and everyone is a resource.

Art galleries have privileged access to events and people that could help you out along the line. You can make contacts in the field, gain knowledge about the industry, or even just become a stronger asset to the gallery. Administrators at Gallery Diet in Miami say you can make the most of your internship "by paying attention to their surroundings and making the most of the reading available to them; press releases, essays, artists monographs, and lectures."

Be engaged with the gallery; don't just do your job.

Be engaged with the gallery; don't just do the minimum.

A part of your experience with your internship should be making yourself a presence at the gallery's events. Yes, try hard while you are working, but it's also meaningful to be seen. Margery Gossett at Artspace111 in Fort Worth, TX wrote via email, "Interns in galleries should always go to the openings, even for just 10 minutes, to show support and enthusiasm for the gallery." She continued, "Interns really need to try to make friends with the artists represented. Ask them lots of questions (which will be very helpful when visitors/buyers ask you about the artist), and get them whatever they need as fast as humanly possible. Having the artists at the gallery like you is akin to having your in-laws like you—it's best for everyone involved."

Absorb as much information as you can about how your art gallery manages itself.

You will have the opportunity to see multiple sides of the gallery which can give you a lot of experience. Jess Young, the Director of Communications at SOMArts Cultural Centerin San Francisco, claims, "It can be immensely helpful for [interns] to see exactly how an institution works in relation to curating, producing, and presenting art exhibitions and other artistic collaborations. Because they are so rewarding, arts administration jobs are highly sought-after, so this hands-on experience can be key in an intern landing a full-time job in the arts."

Be thorough when tasks are assigned to you.

Ariel Rosen, an associate at the Catharine Clark Gallery in NYC, says the key to being a wonderful intern is completing all aspects of your job. "Be proactive in finishing all details of an assigned project, down to stapling packets and returning materials to their original location," Rosen wrote in an email. "Keep track of ongoing tasks and project ideas and check your notebook before asking your supervisor for a new project."

You're not too good for any task.

Nobody starts at the top. You have to start at the bottom and earn your art world cred. Margery Gossett at Artspace111 in Fort Worth, TX had an interesting story to share:

"I was an unpaid intern at Artspace111 three years ago while in college, and now I'm the gallery director at the same gallery. I oversee the interns at Artspace111. When interns ask me for advice I always remind them that they are not too good to mop the floors, take out the trash, address and stamp hundreds of mailings, and run errands. I have done all of those and many other mundane tasks as an unpaid intern, paid intern, paid assistant, and full time gallery director. Galleries are such small operations that everyone pitches in, including owners, to help make the gallery look and operate better."

Have a good attitude, no matter what.

Have a good attitude, no matter what.

As you can imagine, a lot goes into running an art institution. Consequently, you will have to do a variety of frankly boring administrative activities, and it's important to approach these tasks in the right way. Staffing Administrator at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art(SFMOMA) Terri Leong says, “Come ready to learn and try new things. Always present a positive and professional attitude and appearance.”