Intern

Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI

Name: Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI
Brand: ArtBound Initiative
SKU: 166003
Rating: 4.87 (83 reviews)

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ArtBound Initiative

4.87 (83 reviews)

Good for

Students

Building your resume

Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI

ArtBound Initiative

4.87 · 83 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

United States of America
- New York
- Chicago
- Los Angeles

Industry

Advertising Art History Arts Communications Design Fashion Design Film Journalism Marketing Media Relations Music Performing Arts Photography +3

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Program Details

Timeframe

Academic Year Fall Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Apartment

Language

English

Age Min.

Pricing

Starting Price

3250

Price Details

The program fee includes:

1. Internship Placement: an internship tailored to your career goals.
2. Personalized Coaching: career development workshop, revising your resume and portfolio.
3. Travel Support: We take care of your visa, insurance and housing. We also offer on-site support.
4. The Network: Join an international community. Attend our curated events and meet participants, alumni and creative professionals.

What's Included

Activities Travel Insurance Visa

What's Not Included

Accommodation Airfare

Last Updated: Sep 18, 2023

Last Reviewed: Jan 09, 2026

Wish List

123 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The ArtBound Initiative (ABI) program connects students and recent graduates with key players in the New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles creative industries. ABI will help you secure your perfect internship and coordinate all travel logistics (including housing, internship visa, insurance, and more).

What types of internships do we offer?

Studio Art (for painters, photographers, ceramists, printmakers, sculptors), Arts Administration, Communications, Marketing, Social Media, Graphic Design, Producing, Exhibitions and Curation, Public Relations, Special Events, Public Programs, Education, Development, and more.

Who will you work with?

Artists, arts foundations, performing arts organizations, galleries, advertising agencies, design studios, film production companies, creative studios, and more.

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Video and Photos

ArtBound Initiative New York internships

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Program Highlights

Intern in New York/Chicago/Los Angeles and get matched with the best company based on your career goals.
Join an international community of creative professionals
Become an insider in New York/Chicago/Los Angeles: We will send you the best events, venues and Instagram accounts to follow.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.87 Rating

based on 83 reviews

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Rating Spread Intern

5 rating 86.75%
4 rating 13.25%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.9
Support 4.95
Fun 4.7
Housing 4.4
Safety 4.85

Good for Students, Building your resume

Showing 1 - 8 of 83 reviews

My experience with ArtBound Initiative was extremely positive. Thanks to their support I landed an internship at Public Record in New York, a highly respected, competitive and talented production company. Working there gave me real hands-on experience on professional projects and direct contact with top-level creatives, which was something I was definitely looking for. ABI guided me through every step and made the whole process smooth. For me, it opened a door I wouldn’t have been able to access on my own.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice is to treat the program as an opportunity. ABI opens the door, but you’re the one who has to walk through it and prove yourself once you get placed. Go in prepared: have a strong portfolio, be proactive, and don’t wait for people to assign you tasks, ask for them. The city moves fast, and companies expect you to adapt quickly. If you put in the effort, stay curious, and take initiative every single day, you’ll get a lot more out of the experience than just a line on your resume.

Pros

Constant support from ABI
Real work on large-scale productions
Strong networking opportunities

Cons

NYC is expensive
The city can feel overwhelming if you don't adapt quickly
Finding suitable housing can be stressful and takes time

Being able to find a starting job in the creative industry was a headache to do on my own. Coming across the ABI program was a true blessing. I never imagined I would be able to share a room full of so many talented and ambitious people who had the same interests as me. Spending time in New York was an eye opening experience and getting to work with professionals within the program as well as my internship at Jean Doumanian Productions was an invaluable experience. Not to mention getting to revisit one of America’s most famous cities.

What was your funniest moment?

There was a moment I saw a technician come up from one of my supervisors desks. I jokingly asked if I came in at a bad time.

Pros

Access to inside information
Monthly events and get-togethers
Invaluable work experience

Cons

High rent
Consistency varies on the job
No guaranteed pay

Living in New York City for the first time was amazing. My internship at NY Combat for Stage and Screen was great and I learned a few things related to design and it was my first time with a company as an intern. My internship was near times square which made it easier to locate in the city. Aside from my internship, during my time in NYC, I was involved in a lot of the NY fashion week events and I used my networking skills that I learned from ABI to connect with creatives and designers within the industry.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to future ABI alumni would be to always plan ahead. Especially if you're going yo New York always plan accordingly and keep up with the movement because the city in general is always fast-paced.

Pros

Transportation was easy to get around
Great hub to network and connect with creatives
There are always events to look forward to

Cons

NYC is pricey especially the food but there are alternatives
NYC is fast-paced and it could be a little overwhelming if you're not used to it
Certain locations in the NYC tend to become overcrowded

I had an amazing experience with the ArtBound Initiative program. From the ABI Academy and all the amazing career and life skills I learned, I truly felt prepared to join the work force after. The team supported me the whole way through the interview process, moving process, and internship. Although I didnt use it, they did offer housing assistance with a third party company which was super convenient. I found that with the housing groups in Facebook it was easy for me to find a long term rental for cheaper with roommates. I would say you need to come with savings or steady income to take on the city. Things to budget for - transportation, food, shopping, etc. Making friends in the city was easy with so many other ABI Participants interning in the city at the same time as me. We were always looking for opportunities to go check out someplace new or explore the city a bit more together.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

One of the most nerve racking moments in NYC was when the fire alarm went off in my building. Everyone had to evacuate the building. Since our office was on the twelfth floor and we only had two elevators it took us a while to get downstairs. When we made it down stairs there was a fire truck and a bunch of firemen there in the street. I overcame the fire scare by keeping calm and following the instructions from my team.

Pros

This program has guaranteed internship placement in your career field of choice.
New York City is absolutely amazing and full of experiences, there is always something to do.
Building new business connections and social network.

Cons

New York City is quite pricey.
There is always something to do which can be a bit overwhelming at times.
The city is very busy and fast paced.

My internship through ABI was really great. They supported me every step of the way, from resume workshops to check-ins during my summer internship. They placed me with a really awesome production company, and I had a lot of fun working there. I was able to meet other ABI participants over the summer, and we had a lot of great times! My supervisor were very supportive as well and I felt like I melded with the company very well. It was extra cool that everyone working there full-time was also, at some point, an intern there.

What was your funniest moment?

When I saw a dog in a full cowboy outfit

Pros

great support
great city
great company

Cons

none I can think of

I was able to intern for a magazine during my time in New York through the ABI programme. It has been a dream of mine to live and work in NYC and ABI made that a reality for me. They had a great network of support and did check ins during my time out there. It was such an amazing experience and one I will cherish forever as it has shaped me so much. Not only have I made some friends for life through the programme that I connected with whilst out there, but the connections and network of individuals as a creative is something I will continue to hold onto. My experience was everything that I dreamed of and more, I encourage anyone who has thought about it to take a further look and see if this could be something for you!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

I think for me it was the element of relocating. I am incredibly independent and find this exciting, but of course there are areas to moving across the globe alone that can feel nerve-racking and unfamiliar. I overcame this by chatting to friends and family back home when I could and sharing all of the new things and experiences I was having with them.

Pros

Grew so much as a person
Amazing creative internship that I am so grateful to have done
Meeting amazing people and those I will keep in contact with

Cons

Not being out there for longer, wanted to carry on my experiences for a little more
Not ticking off everything I intended to do
N/A

I recently completed an internship with Surreel Films in New York. ArtBound Initiative really does help you find the companies that are within your field and can teach you so much about the professional world. Going into this internship was my first time being in a professional setting, and I had a great experience. My mentors were some of the most educational but also relaxed people I had ever worked with before and taught me so much about the industry. I truly do suggest ArtBound is a great way to get an internship in your desired field and your desired city, and you will meet so many people as well.

Artbound Initiative provided an excellent pathway for securing my internship, offering valuable support throughout the process. They helped match me with a role that aligned with my interests, ensuring I gained hands-on experience in script coverage, film production, and industry research. Their guidance in networking and professional development was helpful, making it easier to connect with industry professionals and build confidence in reaching out to managers and assistants.

Beyond securing the internship, Artbound was also supportive in practical matters, such as helping me transition smoothly when I needed to change apartments. The first housing they arranged was far from great but they made sure I got my money back. Their responsiveness and willingness to assist made a significant difference in my overall experience. Thanks to this program, I gained both professional skills and industry connections that will benefit me in my career. I highly recommend Artbound Initiative to anyone looking for structured, well-supported industry experience in entertainment and media.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

I saw Barry Keoghan in the gym.

Pros

They get you a great internship.
They have quick and great support.
They have a great network.

Cons

It is expensive.
Visa costs are not included in the program.
Housing was a problem.

Questions & Answers

Is the internship paid?

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Do you have any internships for Design?

Hi Jana-Aimée, Yes, we do offer internships in design. We can find you an internship that fits your career goals, at a great company, in the specialization of your choice. We'd be happy to advise you on the best design internships that are available for you - feel free to contact us at info@artboundinitiative.com or you can visit our website (https://www.artboundinitiative.com/) and fill out our...

By ArtBound Initiative on November 5, 2020

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I'm enrolled at the Art Academy of Cincinnati to earn my BFA. I chose ArtBound Initiative because a few people from my school had gone through them and had really good experiences. I was also considering another Study Abroad program, but chose ArtBound Initiative because I decided I wanted to spend my summer working towards being an artist than just as a student.

ArtBound Initiative, as the name suggests, is a program centered around the arts and works to connect young and emerging artists into the creative fields which are generally very insular. I felt that this program would allow me to access opportunities I would have difficulty finding otherwise.

I chose to go through the 8-week New York program ArtBound Initiative offers, because at the time that I was applying, I hadn't been in school long enough to be eligible for the Berlin or Hong Kong programs they offer. I really wanted to go through and have this experience so I went to New York for the summer. ArtBound Initiatives offers an 8-week and 12-week internships. I chose to be in New York for eight weeks due to familial concerns, but upon reflection, I would highly recommend going for the full 12 weeks.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My university had directed me to ArtBound Initiative and provided me with information concerning how to earn college credit over the time I was to spend in the program.

The ArtBound Initiative representatives were very hands-on in helping me organize the portfolio and resumé that I was to submit to them and that they would then be passing on to my potential internship placements. ArtBound Initiative also provided counseling sessions that helped narrow down what kind of internship I was going to have. These sessions enabled me to realize that I wanted to work with a studio artist with them in their studio.

ArtBound Initiative offers many different internship placements so I felt that the counseling sessions were very helpful. Through them, we were able to customize the experience to what I wanted and thought was best for me. ArtBound connected me with two studio artists who I was going to be working with, giving me their contact information. I contacted the artists, discussing the logistics of the internship, and then debriefed ArtBound about what was decided.

ArtBound Initiative also assisted me in finding housing for the summer. The representative sent me a few listings of apartments that were available near where my internship sites were, and I went through them and decided what would work best for me and my budget.

I went through the New York program and thought about how to get there as well as how I was going to get around the city during my stay, and how I was going to eat. Because I'm from Ohio, I drove into the city with a family member who helped me move into my apartment and then left.

For me, the process of traveling to and from the city was relatively painless. The day after I arrived in the city, I met with an ArtBound Initiative representative who debriefed me on New York City life in general and some of the events that they were organizing throughout the summer.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Have a good idea of what you want to get out of your internship, but also feel free to go and explore everything that's going on in the city you are in. Going for 12 weeks gives you more time to really get involved with your internship and the city.

I spent the first two to three weeks in New York getting used to the pace of the city and the artists I was working with. After that, I was able to have a lot of fun and find some really interesting things and meet some really great people.

Also, don't be afraid. Go full boar, jumping straight into the thick of things, and see what happens. For me, this meant trying to go to gallery openings every night there was one, and talking to the people there, or going to an event and stay after things start to wind down a bit just to see what happens next.

Part of not being afraid is going and getting lost in the city (which I did multiple times). Getting lost is honestly the best thing you can do because it’s during these times I found the most interesting things and learned the most about the city. I remember one time, I got lost to the point of tears, but I did find my way back and was surprised by the general goodwill of people.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The average day/week looks different for every participant. My days/weeks involved a combination of studio work (like preparing canvas, mixing paints, and taping off edges), administrative work (organizing project files, sending out emails, organizing contact information, and researching grant and residency opportunities), along with doing some legwork and trying to find new clients and galleries for the artists I was working with. This is what I did, but a friend I made in the ArtBound program had a different experience with what she was doing because she took an internship that was more involved on the arts administration side of things.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear in life is heights, so I didn't wander over to the edges of roofs on tall buildings and look over the side.

Kidding aside, going into the internship, I was afraid of having to talk to people I didn't know and going to work with the artists I was placed with in their studios. An artist’s studio is a personal place where an artist formulates his/her ideas. Walking into a studio is like walking into someone else's mind, and that's a hard thing for me to do because I don't know if I'm welcomed there or not, and I wanted to be an asset to the artists, not an impediment.

Part of me overcoming my fear of being a nuisance was just jumping right in and getting the work done that I was assigned to do and trying to stay busy so that things ran smoothly and progress was made. I tried my best, and I think it worked out alright because the artists and I got along.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Bio

After Studying Graphic Design and Communication Design at Suffolk Community College and Glasgow School of Art, Ena began her Berlin internship through ArtBound Initiative in January 2018. Upon completing her internship with the gallery, Bernheimer Contemporary, she has decided to make Berlin a more permanent home. Ena has now become involved in ArtBound Initiative as a Program Advisor, introducing the program to incoming participants.

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite travel memories was studying Water color painting in Thailand. My old teacher was a retired professional Thai Dancer and he taught me to paint through movements and rhythm in a way I had never learned before. He combined smiling and laughter and integrated them flawless with craftsmanship and seriousness.

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How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

My personal and professional growth since I began working for ArtBound Initiative has been leaps and Bounds. We are a close nit team, even though we are spread across the world. The founder inspires confidence in all of us and goes out of her way to connect with us. I found that since I have joined ABI I am more focused, more dedicated and more passionate about the work i do then I have been in a long time This is because of the great services we provide our participants and the hard work of the team.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I am still new to the team, so I do not have a story yet from a return student, but I do have a favorite memory of the current participants. A great part of ABI is that we will all meet up occasionally for dinner and more. One day we all got together for a light dinner and then went to an outdoor movie together. We were able to discuss the cinematography as well as all the different artist techniques and plot falls while laughing over popcorn. It was both informative and fun for all of us.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

For this question its not if I could... because I already have. Just before I became the program Advisor, I was placed in an internship in Berlin through ArtBound Initiatives Berlin program. It was exciting to experience another art capital first hand as a local. ArtBound initiative made that happen for me and made my transition into Berlin's Art-scene and lifestyle seamless.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The support you get from the company is genuine. What makes this company unique is their dedication to their participants. The founder is active and supportive with every participant and employee. We purposely keep our numbers small so we can guarantee that each participant gets the time, resources, and support they deserve to launch their career. And we continue to support and connect them after they are finished with the program.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Our dedication and our Global reach is one of the biggest factors to our success as a company. I have mentioned our dedication to our participants in a previous question but we are also dedicated to maintaining strong connections with the companies we pair our students with. We are always looking for and connecting with top tier companies and actively maintaining our connections, for our current and potential participants. Day in and day out, country by country we do the leg work, to insure their success.

Jana Nowack

Program Coordinator

Laura Bennegadi

Co-Founder and CEO

About ArtBound Initiative

ArtBound Initiative is dedicated to emerging creative professionals. Our mission is to encourage connections between participants, industry leaders and global companies. Strengthened by our network of over 250 companies, ABI provides the opportunity for personalized work experiences in highly insular industries. Placements are currently available...

Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI

Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI

ArtBound Initiative

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Alumni Interviews

Elena Kay Herren

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Staff Interviews

Ena - Meghan Lefeber

Bio

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?