Internships
Gain real-world experience and prepare for a fulfilling, sustainable career in the arts.
Build Your Skills
An internship is one of the most direct ways to translate your interests and coursework into real-world experience. Through professional internships, you develop skills, learn how creative and cultural organizations operate, and begin building relationships that can shape your career after graduation. Additionally, the School of Art strongly encourages students to earn course credit through internships.
Knoxville offers a wide range of opportunities through its community of artists, galleries, museums, arts organizations, and media production companies. For students interested in working beyond the region, undergraduate internship and travel awards can support placements in major art hubs.
Current students interested in completing an internship should contact their faculty advisor or reach out to art@utk.edu.
Internship Resources
Below are some local, state, and national organizations that offer internship, apprenticeship, and related work opportunities for art students. As this list is not comprehensive, students are also encouraged to speak with a faculty mentor about their professional goals and internship interests.
Art Education
Students who earn a BA or BFA in Studio Art with a Minor in art education can go on to earn an MS in art education in just one year through UT’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. This professional post-baccalaureate program is designed to prepare students to work in diverse settings, to meet the needs of individual students, and to become leaders in the field of art education. Enrolled students complete one year of graduate coursework, while completing a year-long professional teaching internship at a local school, as part of the degree requirements.
Ceramics and Sculpture (3D)
Local
State
National
- Anderson Ranch Arts Center
- Archie Bray Foundation
- Clay Art Center
- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
- Penland School of Crafts
- Watershed
International
Cinema Studies and Time-Based Art
Time-based Art and Cinema Studies Students have interned at a range of companies across Tennessee and beyond, from Hollywood talent agencies to feature films to advertising and production companies. Such positions have helped lead students to careers in the film and television industry. Eligible students can also secure positions at UT media outlets, such as the Daily Beacon and Tennessee Athletics.
To learn more about interning and professional development as a Cinema Studies or Time-Based Art student, log onto the Canvas page below:
Museums and Galleries
Painting and Drawing, Photography, and Printmaking (2D)
Funding Support
- Apply for the School of Art’s Residency/Internship Scholarship.
- Check the VOLintern program for paid on-campus internships. ·
- Apply for the Center for Career Development’s Impact Internship Grant, if applicable.
- The Center for Career Development sometimes may have funding to support students pursuing unpaid internships, or they may be able to connect students to funding. Reach out to career@utk.edu or make an appointment with a career advisor to ask about available options.
- If payment is not an option, you may still be able to negotiate non-wage benefits, such as transportation support, meal coverage or discounts, access to professional development opportunities, formal credit in public-facing work outputs, or structured mentorship meetings.
Student Testimonials
Bella Thomas-Wilson, BA in Public Art and Media (College Scholars Program)
Putting on my Gallery 1010 show helped me feel a lot more confident in my abilities, from the big things to the little things—I definitely feel a lot more prepared for a curatorial career after having done this exhibition.”
Adele Ferguson, BFA in Studio Art
Working with Megan this semester has been so incredible! Getting to paint on-site with her on several mural projects has given me hours of hands-on experience. This internship has given me a great deal of insight into what it’s like to work as a professional muralist.”
Peyton Hockett, BA in Art
Interning at Cattywampus Puppet Council has been incredible for me this year. They provide so much accessibility and independence to work at my own pace and allow me to problem solve first, which feels like a real learning experience!”
Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration Events
