Hire-A-Niner is the Career Center's central management system for on/off-campus job postings. Search Hire-A-Niner for CoA+A Internships or by organization name.
Art & Art History Opportunities
Expand your craft beyond the classroom through exciting extracurricular experiences available to art & art history students.
Internship Opportunities
UNC Charlotte and the College of Arts + Architecture offer a variety of opportunities for students to participate in internships, including the CoA+A Paid Internship Program, internships for course credit and the University Professional Internship Program (UPIP).
Sam Fine, B.A. in Art History and B.F.A. in Art with an Art Education concentration
Creative Team Intern at the McColl Center
“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 this season’s resident artists. I’ve made connections and friends I hope to keep for many years to come.”
Ava Weaver, B.F.A. with a concentration in Illustration
Content Creation Intern at the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
“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.”
Jazmine Chance, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art’s Collection and Exhibitions Intern
“I learned more about the steps required for what art pieces are being placed on the floor 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.“
Angelina Uy, B.F.A. in Art with a concentration in Illustration and a Minor in Art History
Studio Assistant at the McColl Center for the Arts + Innovation
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.
Scotty Townsend, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Archives Intern with the Mint Museum
“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!”
Tiara Mitchell, B.F.A. In Art with a concentration in Printmaking
Studio Apprentice with Local Artist Georgie Nakima
“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’m looking forward to more walls and meeting more artists. 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.”
Internships for Course Credit
Pending approval by the course instructor, you can intern with any company, organization or professional that will facilitate a beneficial experience.
Requirements: You can receive up to 3 credits for 120 hours of work completed during one 15-week semester (fall or spring), which breaks down to 8 hours a week. During a 5-week summer session, it breaks down to 24 hours a week. To receive credit for any internship experience, you must complete all the steps outlined on one of the two application forms linked below, meet all course prerequisites, and register before the add/drop deadline. Credit for internships cannot be given retroactively, and an internship cannot be repeated for credit if it is with the same employer.
Arts Internship Application Forms
Use these forms to register for ARTA 3400 Internship in the Arts (1 – 3 credits), ARTT 4409 Internship in Photography (3 credits), or ARTM 3405 Internship in Digital Media (3 credits).
Graphic Design Application Forms
Use these forms to register for ARTG 3408 Graphic Design Internship (3 credits).
Where to begin: At least one semester prior to registering for course credit, you should identify potential employers for placement. We highly recommend that you begin at the University Career Center, where an expert in your field can help you prepare your résumé, cover letter, and portfolio. Then search Hire-A-Niner to find and apply for opportunities that are located on and off-campus. You can also search online using services like LinkedIn and Indeed, or professional organizations such as the College Art Association (CAA) or the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA).
About the Career Center
We highly recommend that you begin at the University Career Center, where an expert career counselor can help you prepare your résumé, cover letter and portfolio (if required).
- Search Hire-A-Niner for CoA+A Internships or by organization name.
- If there are no results found, then search again in a few weeks and watch for emails from the Career Center or faculty announcing that the internships have been posted.
- If there is an active posting, then apply for it through Hire-A-Niner. In order to do so, your résumé must first go through an approval process, which typically takes 48 hours.
- Your application will then be reviewed, which may take several weeks. If selected, you will be contacted for an interview and/or portfolio review. Hiring occurs after interviewing.
- To receive course credit, you also need to follow the steps for Internships for Course Credit.
Charting Your Course
It’s always a good time to begin preparing for your professional journey, and the Department of Art & Art History is highly invested in your success. Throughout your coursework, you’ll engage in career preparation that’s built directly into the curriculum.
With an art, graphic design or art history degree, you’ll build valuable career skills that can open doors to many professions. What can you achieve with a degree from the Department of Art & Art History? Anything you put your mind to!
It is never too early to begin focusing on your professional development as you prepare for your career after graduation. Visit the Career Center to see available resources.
Information for Interested Employers & Partners
Are you an employer interested in working with student interns from the Department of Art & Art History? This relationship can benefit both parties, as you provide students with professional mentoring and experiences, they will bring their energy, classroom training and fresh ideas to the workplace.
Student internships can be paid, completed for course credit or both. Although not required, internships that are paid will attract more applicants. Students can receive up to 3 credits for 120 hours completed during one semester (8 hrs a week for 15 weeks), or one summer session (24 hrs a week for 5 weeks). Specific work schedules (days/times) are determined by the intern and the employer. Expand each section, below, for details.
NPO Partnerships
As part of the CoA+A Paid Internship program, we regularly partner with non-profit employers to share the expense of hiring student interns. If you qualify and are interested in partnering with the Department or College to establish a paid internship, please email our Director of Collaborative Works, Wendy Fishman.
Employer Guidelines
If you are seeking interns in studio art and/or art history, please refer to the Art & Art History New Intern Employer Questionnaire. If you have any further questions, please email the Art Program Coordinator.
If you are seeking interns in Graphic Design, please refer to the G Design Intern_Employer Guidelines & Responsibilities. If you have any further questions, please email the Graphic Design Program Coordinator.
In addition, please reference UNC Charlotte’s Employer Policies page.
If you are employing a student intern from UNC Charlotte for the first time, then you will also have to complete the New Employer Questions. These will be provided by the student intern along with the Employer Contract after you have interviewed and offered them a position.
Job Description
Employers must provide a detailed job description at the onset of the process. In addition to the listing of duties, responsibilities, and desired qualifications, it should also include proper performance goals, objectives and specific information regarding pay.
Where and When to Post
Where to Post: The best way to attract applicants is to utilize the University Career Center and to post the description in Hire-A-Niner, a free database that students and alumni use to find opportunities. Their helpful staff are available to answer questions via email recruit@charlotte.edu.
When to Post: In order to receive course credit, students must register at the beginning of the semester that they are completing the internship. Therefore, it’s best to advertise during the previous semester or summer. (i.e. post a fall internship in April, and a spring internship in November)
Non-Internship Requests
The College of Arts + Architecture promotes arts and design as engines of civic imagination through distinction in creative teaching and research, artistic performance, and community-driven work. If you’re interested in being considered for a community project with the Department or College that does not meet the criteria for a semester-long internship, then please visit the Community Requests page for more information.
Contact Professor Aspen Hochhalter with questions on internships for credit within the Department of Art & Art History.
Contact our Director of Collaborative Works, Wendy Fishman, if you are interested in establishing a paid internship with us.