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: 4.9 (72 reviews)

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4.90 Rating

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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 14, 2024

Wish List

101 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.

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Program Reviews

4.90 Rating

based on 72 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Intern

5 rating 90.28%
4 rating 9.72%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.9
Support 4.95
Fun 4.7
Housing 4.45
Safety 4.85

Good for Students, Building your resume

Showing 57 - 64 of 72 reviews

Artbound Initiative has given me the fantastic opportunity of interning at The Studio NYC, a very reputable animation and design studio based in New York. The staff from Artbound were dedicated to providing me with the best opportunity based on my interests and career goals. Even before my application, the staff were happy to answer any questions about the program. During this internship I was able to grow and learn professionally, which will broaden my prospects in the workforce and allow me to present a very competitive resume and portfolio. Additionally, Artbound provides a network of other creative people to connect to within this program, which makes the experience doubly as valuable as an internship alone. Furthermore, this network of people become your friends while overseas. Living alone in a new city can be daunting, so having this group is a wonderful thing.

Overall, I have had a truly exceptional experience working with Artbound Initiative. They really help guide you through the process of getting an internship in a field you will enjoy, as well as offering professional advice and insights into the creative industry as a whole. This is a wonderful and personalised experience for each participant, and I highly recommend it!

I first learnt ABI from my school and had my NYC internship here, and I'm so glad I made this as this is my best internship experience so far (among four of them)! The team invites cultural exploration with other participants and shows you around in the city with museums and cultural heritages. This brings all participants together and keep us included in the city, as it can be rough to know nobody in a new place.

It is awesome to be here as you're building your professional network with other participants in the fields here with great potentials. Explore people around you to get your horizon broadened with different conversations! The team also recommends accommodation for decent places to stay in the city! I'm satisfied with the experience here as they made my internship here reassured! I have nothing to complain here frankly saying.

The gallery's entrance where you can grab a quick bite and chill

The group visited the gallery and appreciated different artworks by world renowned artists

ABI participants spent an afternoon picnicking at the East River State Park and overseeing the Manhattan skyline

Through the Art Bound Initiative programme, I was able to intern at a wonderful production company in New York - I learned so much and had an amazing summer. I 100% recommend to anyone interested in furhterting their careers in any of the creative industries the programme offers. Without the help of Art Bound, who was there to help me every step of the process and during my time in New York, I would definitely not have been able to intern at such a prestigious company and gain the experience and knowledge I now have. My time as an intern has directed my career path and I have also met such great people I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Being able to spend my summer in New York was fantastic and I definitely want to return in order to continue my career there. Overall it was a fantastic opportunity and am so thankful for the organisation and to Jean Doumanian Productions for taking me on.

What would you improve about this program?

My only issue is with the cost of housing however it's inevitable that living is going to be expensive in New York!

Artbound Initiative helped me prepare for, and secure, an internship at Chimney Group in New York City. The preparation process was flawless. I got industry related advice to help update my resume and demo reel to a professional level. They tailored the internship to align with my career aspirations and placed me in a working environment where I was able to work on projects with other artists.

I gained invaluable experience while working on a feature film and various commercials and made great industry connections. I was able to grow as an artists, and after completing my internship, I feel confident and job-ready.

The ArtBound program has been an incredible experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to break into the global creative industry.

Artbound has given me such an amazing internship as a graphic designer at Paperwhite Sutdio, a design agency based in Brooklyn, New York. They showed their dedication in making sure I have the best suited internship for my own career goals. With this internship I have been able to utilise my strongest skills and learn new ones in the graphic design industry that I wouldn't have been able to get anywhere else. I believe this has given me an advantage in the disign industry in reaching my own career goals. I have also have been able to make such a strong network with other inerns, alumni and professionals within the design industry who have made such a strong impact in my life.

Overall, I wouldn't have been able to do have such a valuable internship without Artbound Iniative. They were able to help me throughout the entire process and gave so much advice and insight into the creative industry that I will utilise throughout my entire career.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

Some of the most surprising things I was able see, was that nearly everyone I met who lived in New York were involved in the creative industry, from either design, fine art to music.

Exploring Williamsburg earlier on in my internship.

Myself and other interns at Williamsburg Smorgasburg

Working in New York has been a dream and ArtBound Initiative made it come true! I'm interning in a boutique creative agency in Manhattan that works for luxury brands. My main task is to deliver digital campaigns by creating social media posts, motion graphics work and assist with other visual communication needs. ABI assisted me in finding housing, making professional connections and life-long friendships. There is also monthly event where we can connect with the alumni and visit art gallery together. This internship experience not only help me with my professional growth, but also exposed me to different culture and social aspects. This experience help me in growing myself personally and professionally. I would recommend ABI for fresh graduates or students that would like to expose themselves to the world as this will be a life-changing experience.

What would you improve about this program?

It would be amazing if the program can organise more meet ups with the alumni

The connections that ABI provided me on a personal and professional level have been invaluable. I don’t know how I would have begun to navigate moving to a new city without the support of the ABI program. Through the community of alumni and current interns, I have made incredible, genuine friendships with like-minded people.

ABI connected me with an internship opportunity that I would have not been able to find on my own. In my time as an intern for SCOPE, I have grown as a designer and an individual. I now feel equipped and confident as a professional creative in a global context, and am excited to carry the skills I have learned through my internship with me into an exciting career.

The Artbound team were friendly and helpful and want the best outcome for every individual in the program. It is a very personalised experience which I am so grateful I took part in.

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

Moving to a new city was extremely daunting, but ABI connected me with a group of other international interns and locals right away. We quickly built strong friendships and the city didn't feel so lonely after that!

At the American Museum of Natural History

With ArtBound's assistance, I was lucky enough to intern at Printed Matter, Inc. in New York, a non-profit dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of artists’ books, independent publishing and more. Definitely worthwhile if the program is financially feasible for you. From start to finish, ArtBound was focussed on making sure I got the most out of this experience. They provided expert advice throughout the entire visa process, honest and productive portfolio feedback, and a solid community to access during my internship. ArtBound acts as a great source of knowledge and support, but it's important to be independent and make the experience your own. Limited healthcare options (mostly because of US insurance policy) so if you're interning in New York, make sure you understand what your insurance does and does not provide and for how long.

What would you improve about this program?

More social events and more insurance options if possible.

View from the New Museum, one of the first galleries that I visited with a fellow ArtBound intern

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...

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?