Uptown Charlotte Connection & Internships

“Aside from the beautiful building of the McColl Center, my favorite part of the internship was the relationships I’ve had the honor of making with the people around me. The team is one of the kindest and most diligent teams I’ve had the pleasure of working with, including the resident artists. I’ve made connections and friends I hope to keep for many years to come.”

“Music has always been an important part of my life, being very active in many musical ensembles throughout school. Being able to combine my passion for design and music made this a dream internship. I got to learn more about graphic design and creating branded content.”

“I learned more about the steps required for what art pieces are being placed in the galleries and the process of approving layouts. There was a clear process for how pieces in inventory were placed into the exhibits with the approval of many curators and creative directors. What I enjoyed most about this internship was being able to improve my graphic design skills by working with a program that works in a 3d space and being able to make efficient and effective layouts.“

“This internship has taught me quite a bit about how to run an orchestra program. I’ve had to be very flexible, setting up a variety of concert venues, assisting with photoshoots, fixing broken equipment, and learning how to use Musescore to transpose music. I’ve enjoyed the interactions with the youth orchestra students the most. They definitely get up to some mischief, and it’s always fun to be involved!”

At the McColl Center, my main responsibility is to be a studio assistant for the visiting artists. My job involves meeting with the artists in residency, being helpful where I am needed, and learning new skills as I assist. The McColl Center is a huge supporter of the arts in Charlotte, and I aspire to be a professional artist who might one day end up in a residency similar to the artists I currently assist as an intern. The conversations I’ve had with the artists are my favorite part.

“I’ve learned a lot about HR, arts administration, and myself in this internship. I have enjoyed all of the opportunities I’ve experienced while on the job, but I’ve especially enjoyed the ones outside of the workday! For example, I got to see “Wicked” for free while it was here, which was absolutely amazing! I also have gotten tours of the various Blumenthal theaters, including backstage, which was quite the treat!”

“I’ve learned useful skills while at this internship, like learning how to read blueprints and how to store a museum’s collections into programs like Archivist’s Toolkit. What I’ve enjoyed most in my internship is the connection I’ve made with my supervisor and the internship coordinator, as well as having access to the Mint Museum’s collections of artwork. I really enjoy learning about the artistic processes and the history behind them. An exciting opportunity that I’ll be a part of is getting to interact with all of the departments in the Mint Museum, not just the Archives!”

“I have learned budget management, how to be resourceful, and, of course, how to work on a large scale surface. However, in the behind the scenes of being artist, there’s so much more than just creating art and displaying work. I enjoy starting a mural. There’s a sense of excitement when painting a fresh wall or court. My first experience was painting a basketball court with my mentor, Georgie Nakima. It was difficult, but afterwards, it was so rewarding. I enjoy the community that we have in Charlotte – I would say it’s quite immersive. Hopefully, I will be able to branch out as an independent artist in the future.”