Interns & Volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities are available on a per project basis.
For more information, please see our listing on Volunteermatch.

VOLUNTEER FOR PLAYING THE BUILDING BY DAVID BYRNE Creative Time presents Playing the Building, a 9,000-square-foot, interactive, site-specific installation by renowned artist David Byrne. The artist will transform the interior of the landmark Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan into a massive sound sculpture that all visitors are invited to sit and “play.” The project will consist of a retrofitted antique organ, placed in the center of the building’s cavernous second-floor gallery, that will control a series of devices attached to its structural features—metal beams, plumbing, electrical conduits, and heating and water pipes. These machines will vibrate, strike, and blow across the building’s elements, triggering unique harmonics and producing finely tuned sounds. Email monicaj@creativetime.org for information and to volunteer.

Internships

   
    Summer 2005 interns enjoying the Dreamland Artist Club opening party.

Creative Time offers unpaid, semester-long internships to undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates in each of our departments. Internships can be part- or full-time. We ask that all interns in the Development, Executive and Marketing departments work a minimum 2 full-time days and interns in the Programming & Production department work a minimum of 3 full days.

Marketing / Communications | Development | Executive | Programming & Production

Selection is made on the basis of your interest and motivation in working for Creative Time, your ability to contribute and your commitment to gaining a meaningful work experience. Your interest and experience in nonprofits and public art as well as in the field at large will enhance your application.

What Past Interns Say:
"The biggest impression made on me was the enthusiasm and community feeling of the staff... Everyone is so smart and warm and the dynamic between everyone is spectacular. I am truly so in love with Creative Time and their projects and absolutely want to work here one day. I want to stay in touch with a lot of the people I met here and will take a lot of the lessons I learned with me." - Erin, Summer 2006

"Working here has definitely opened my eyes regarding what it takes to realize a public art project, especially those on a very large scale, as Creative Time tends to aim. So much has to go into it and so much time is needed for it to go from its conception to the final event or product... Experiencing the behind-the-scenes of this art organization has given me a glimpse into how the current art world operates." - Lilly, Summer 2006

"I enjoyed the diversity in the types of programs Creative Time executes and with the artists you work with - each day was something different (never dull and boring). I also enjoyed seeing first-hand the how/when/why/where projects are developed. [My supervisor] always took the time to explain 'why' something was done the way it was and the strategy behind the message development, which I appreciated and which helped me to understand the thinking behind the programs." - Lisa, Spring 2006

"I want to say in all honesty that this has been, by far, the best, most valuable internship I have ever had (and I've had my fair share). Overall, the experience rocked. I learned so much, I met so many great people, and I had such a good time with it. There's not really much more I could want or ask for from an internship. Thank you!" - Lauren, Summer 2003

Deadlines:
The deadline for Summer 2008 is April 1 and earlier applications are strongly encouraged. If you wish to submit an application after this deadline has passed, please email a letter of inquiry to before submitting a complete application.

Application:
You can download our printable Creative Time Internships packet, which includes all of the information on this page as well as an application form.

To apply, please send a completed application form, including a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and two references to:

Cynthia Pringle
Creative Time
59 East 4th Street 6E
New York, NY 10003
Fax: 212-255-8467

Please do not submit an application before reading about Creative Time's programs and reviewing the internship descriptions below.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should have a high attention to detail and be very organized, motivated, and self-directed. In addition, solid writing, research, and computer skills are helpful, as is a professional and comfortable phone manner. An interest in contemporary art, a familiarity with the field, a sense of humor, and enthusiasm for Creative Time's mission and programs are important. Skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, FTP, HTML, art handling, Excel, grant writing, and shmoozing are highly desirable.

MARKETING / COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP

Learn how a dynamic organization shapes its public persona and gets covered in the press by joining Creative Time’s small marketing team. Marketing interns are instrumental in how Creative Time communicates, and are involved in the process from the initial stages of working with artists, curators, and graphic designers to the final result: coverage! Interns are given opportunities to try their hand at writing press releases and pitching story ideas to major magazines and newspapers.

Marketing interns will assist in organizing publicity for individual projects such as drafting and disseminating press releases, listings information, and correspondence; conducting research on media outlets; maintaining the press database; archiving both media coverage and visual documentation of all programs; assisting photographers on documentation photo shoots; and representing the organization at public events. There will also be opportunities for self-initiated in-depth projects relating to departmental needs. Interns are given a broad understanding of an entire season’s programming with comprehensive research on artists and past art events, gaining a thorough knowledge of the entire organization, its goals, and its working methods.

Additionally, Creative Time publishes books and many collateral print materials with its public art projects. Communications interns interested in publishing and contemporary art may have the opportunity to assist the marketing team and outside designers and editors in the production of these publications. Responsibilities include research, copy-editing, and writing for our forthcoming publications. Excellent administrative, writing, and proofreading skills, as well as an eye for design and a desire to learn about publishing are required for these opportunities.

Bright and dedicated students with an interest in marketing, public relations, and the arts are encouraged to apply.

DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP

Want to know who's who in the art world? Gain valuable insight into New York's movers, shakers, and grantmakers by working behind the scenes to support our projects. All the while, develop a sense of how a small nonprofit operates. Interns will work closely with the three members of the Development Department on various long- and short-term projects including fundraising, event planning, and corporate sponsorships. Experience all stages of the donor prospecting process: discuss projects with curators, research potential corporate, foundation, and individual supporters, draft text and design proposals, and coordinate grant schedules and materials. Get acquainted with New York's social scene researching and planning events and representing Creative Time. Assist with Board of Director relations and planning. And rack up impressive skills for any future career in the arts or the non-profit sector, including strong database knowledge and specialized research.

Especially strong candidates may be given the opportunity to author the first draft of a master grant narrative or an extensive proposal. Organized, upbeat, and motivated interns who are looking to explore their interest in the arts and non-profit world are encouraged to apply.

EXECUTIVE INTERNSHIP

Get a taste for all of the departments and learn the nuts-and-bolts of nonprofit arts management by interning with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Director of Operations. Assist on special curatorial projects, perform research on artists and partners, and get a window into long-term planning and staff management. Gain hands-on experience with intern and volunteer management, human resources, organizational technology, real estate, and proposal-writing.

This internship is particularly appropriate for undergraduate students interested in getting a broad overview of a nonprofit arts organization, and graduate students in Arts Administration/Public Administration/Nonprofit Management programs looking to gain relevant experience.

PROGRAMMING & PRODUCTION INTERNSHIP

Learn how public art projects get realized. With several projects in production at any one time, you will gain experience in the various stages of the production process from initial stages to final presentations while working with the Curator & Producers.

While specific tasks will vary per project, you will conduct research (e.g. sourcing and pricing, site research), process submissions and maintain artist files, assist in correspondence and administration, learn basic accounting and budgeting, and attend curatorial meetings, with the opportunity to participate in an informed manner. Interns showing a healthy commitment and particular aptitude may be given specially designed projects.

CONSULTING PROGRAM, PRODUCTION INTERNSHIP

Summer 2005 interns staffing the Dreamland Artist Clubhouse