Creative Internship in Berlin with ABI

This experience allowed me to network with young artistic professionals from all around the world while still in undergrad. I received a great internship at a leading contemporary gallery in Berlin and was able to utilize all of my skills in writing, management, marketing, and general knowledge of contemporary art. Housing and insurance were adequately provided through ABI, and it was nice knowing that I always had that support. Since there were other ABI participants in the apartment building, making friends was no issue.

I interned with ABI this summer 2021 season with artist duo Jeschkelanger. It was a great to have hands-on experience at an artist studio straight out of university. While I was there, they worked mostly with just commissioned pieces so I was able to learn the overall structure from customer to idea scheming to construction to delivery. The environment was very amicable and down to earth.

Berlin is a great city for students and rising artists as wherever you go it is filled with both rich history but also a very vivid art scene. I can most definitely say I enjoyed my time there!

I worked for Wolfgang Stiller and was his assistant in his studio. I helped package art and make the boxes that ended up being sold or shipped to galleries all over the world. I learned how to make/ prepare molds which was new since I never learned sculpture until now. As well got some jobs around berlin in the art scene like working/hosting gallery opening in a middle of a pandemic. (safely of course) I highly recommend this internish to anyone who feels like they need an extra boost. It worth your time to check out ABI especially if your thinking of using art in your everyday career.

I had a brilliant experience in Berlin with ABI. I was there for three months, interning as an administrative assistant with ikonoTV - a streaming platform dedicated to art, design, architecture and heritage content. My tasks and responsibilities in the internship were incredibly varied, from market research, to reorganising and restructuring company databases, to writing articles. My supervisor made sure throughout the period that I had a range of tasks and longer-term projects to work on, so that I could organise myself and vary what I was working on day-to-day. This internship has already impacted my career in a meaningful way because I will be continuing to do part-time paid work for IkonoTV now that the internship is over. I could not have asked for a better outcome – joining ABI has directly led me to future employment. ABI is incredibly well-connected, meaning they found me an internship which was perfectly tailored to my strengths and career goals. Without ABI, I would not know where to start finding the kind of role I wanted – they gave me a head-start which I could not have found anywhere else. Socially, the programme was excellent despite covid-19. I was living in an apartment building with many other interns on the programme, who I was able to form meaningful relationships with - my social schedule was always super busy and I had such a fun time.

ABI was the best career decision I ever made. It allowed me to move to a country (In the middle of a pandemic), complete an internship in an high-end creative agency which I have gained employment in and learn valuable skills that I will carry for the rest of my work life. The team are so friendly and nurturing and give you the confidence to succeed in you internship as well carry on your future career. You also become a part of global and local network that has been so useful during the lockdowns and for meeting new people in a new city. And the global network to further your career and have contacts in the fast changing remote working landscape. Overall ABI has really changed my prospects, the course along with the team really helps you kickstart your career within a global community, whether its a 3 month internship in summer between university years or a post-grad internship that turns into a job!

ArtBound Initiative were very supportive throughout the whole journey. Initially, the preparatory work really set me up to obtain such a cool internship, and the CEO, Laura, was there to provide great mentorship, guidance and positive energy.

When arriving in Berlin, Program Coordinator, Jana, was quick to organise meet-ups, allowing me to somewhat establish myself comfortably in Berlin.

Overall, ArtBound Initiative were great to have by my side.

I think this internship will impact my career in the sense of having a better definition of what I want to strive for in terms of design specialisation. It’s also made a positive impact by having the opportunity to upskill with different design softwares. Along with being able to participate in and understand the operations of a creative agency - equipping me with the communication skills and knowledge needed if I were to work for one in the future.

I always wanted to move to Berlin but I often felt unprepared and unsure. Through my university, I found the Artbound Initiative which fit perfectly. I had a program that would help me find footing in a completely different city and I could often go to them for help, whether for my visa or advice on how to go about my internship. I can't imagine how stressful it would've been to have done it on my own. Now, I have a production company that looks after the people they work with and that has been invaluable.

I was placed with Freunde von Freunden, an online magazine that produces online multi-media content based in Berlin, Germany. From portraits, articles, podcasts, events and mix-tapes FvF seems to have a stake in a tonne of different projects which for me, was extremely enticing. I worked an in-house audio production intern and was given the opportunity to take on a multitude of tasks in this field. I was editing, mixing, mastering podcasts, designing sound for video portraits, composing & producing bespoke musical pieces for company showreels & promo materials. There was never a dull moment! I had flexibility and freedom to work in the office or from home depending on the task and felt both valued and supported by the company. The office was located right in the heart of the ultra-trendy Kreuzberg neighbourhood of Berlin, making for some cool adventures when going for lunch or commuting.

This internship has been hugely valuable in expanding my network in Europe as well as helping me broaden my professional skills. Due to the varied tasks I was asked to work on, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and challenged to take on projects I never thought I would when in university. I am very proud of the work I’ve done with FvF and made valuable connections that have already helped me further my career.

With the help of Laura from ArtBound Initiative, my CV and portfolio are polished and refined. I have also been advised in the best way to approach interviews with prospective employers in the creative sector, and business etiquette. ABI have taught me a number of valuable lessons, from how to promote your work, how to network, even how to manage your social media to be more employable!

ABI’s network of interns also look out for each other and do whatever they can to help you settle in your new city. From banking advice, city registration or even where to find the best restaurants or events, they’ve got your back!