INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Southern Exposure’s Internship Opportunities
Southern Exposure’s internship program is a vital part of the organization’s operating structure. The goal of the internship program is to provide opportunities for training within a non-profit visual arts organization. The internship program allows participants to assume professional-level responsibilities, receive training and guidance from gallery professionals, and understand how a non-profit arts organization functions. We view the program as an extension of our education and outreach services that help to expand and diversify community interaction. Interns should be interested in working in a non-profit arts environment, possess strong communication skills and have computer skills.
ALL INTERNSHIPS are unpaid and require a minimum of eight hours per week and approximately a 6-12 month commitment (unless otherwise stated in descriptions below).
Summer internships are only available for the Mission Voices Summer (MVS) Internship. See MVS Intern description below for more information.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS: As of 05/14/12: Southern Exposure is currently accepting resumes for the following positions (scroll down for full descriptions):
- ARCHIVE INTERN
- INSTALLATION (weekly and on-call) INTERN
- PHOTO DOCUMENTATION INTERN
- MISSION VOICES SUMMER INTERN
- JUNE VIDEO DOCUMENTATION INTERN- MACHINE PROJECT
- VIDEO DOCUMENTATION INTERN
- CURATORIAL INTERN
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Aimee Shapiro at aie@soex.org, or call Southern Exposure at 415-863-2141 for more information. A SoEx staff member will respond within 7-10 days.
Internship Descriptions:
ALTERNATIVE EXPOSURE INTERN
Under the supervision of the Associate Director, the AltEx intern helps receive and organize applications to SoEx’s Alternative Exposure grant program and prepare submissions for review by a panel of jurors. The AltEx intern also helps implement outreach strategies for this program and communicate with artists about their proposals by mail and phone. This is a great opportunity to learn about the process of applying for grants and running a grants program. To learn more about specific goals of the Alternative Exposure program visit: soex.org/alternativeexposure. The skills needed for this position are a proficiency in writing, attention to detail, ability to work independently, a strong interest in contemporary artistic practices and a working knowledge of FileMaker, Microsoft Word and Excel. (Duration: June/July 2012 - January 2013)
ARCHIVE INTERN
The archive internship is ideal for someone who is interested in learning about preserving Southern Exposure’s history, learning about the alternative arts space movement and conducting archival research. The archive intern will work with SoEx staff members to secure archival documents, catalog items in the archive and eventually make accessible to the public the organization’s rich 38-year history. The position involves securing in-kind donations of materials and supplies to create the archive, performing organizational research, and organizing papers and photographic documentation. The candidate must possess excellent organization and research skills as well as a proficiency in Photoshop and Microsoft Excel. SoEx seeks candidates who can commit six to eight hours a week for at least a one-year period.
ARTISTS IN EDUCATION (AIE) INTERN
The AIE intern works under the supervision of the AIE Program Manager to help with coordination and administration of AIE programs, publications, and exhibitions. Additionally, the AIE intern will work to help create an archive of all past AIE programs. The intern also helps research community organizations, design and implement community outreach strategies, and tracks outreach efforts. The intern will help to identify and target community groups, schools and neighborhoods that would be interested in upcoming educational programs, exhibitions and events through publicity and promotion, and active invitation. Southern Exposure seeks an AIE intern with an interest in arts education, curriculum development, project development, public programming and outreach.
AUCTION INTERN
The auction intern works closely with the Associate Director and fundraising committee on all aspects of SoEx’s Annual Fundraiser and Art Auction. The intern will learn how to organize a major event from beginning to end. Responsibilities may include seeking business donations/sponsorship, coordinating auction artists, creating and maintaining excel spreadsheets to track all donations and communications, catalog production, event production and entertainment, installation, coordinating volunteers, decoration design, publicity and marketing, webpage preparation and maintenance and membership tracking. Some evening hours will be required for committee meetings, with additional hours the week of the event. Skills needed for this position are an outgoing personality, attention to detail, eagerness in making connections in the community, creative thinker, problem solver, and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and FileMaker Pro.
COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
The communications internship is ideal for someone interested in press relations, outreach and audience development. Under the supervision of the Development and Communications Assistant, the communications intern compiles records of all press coverage SoEx receives, continually updating press contact information and maintaining the press database. The intern will also prepare press kits and materials, working with the documentation intern and the staff to prepare and organize images for distribution. The intern should know and understand SoEx’s artists and projects, occasionally helping to write and edit copy for published materials such as press releases, announcements and mailings. He or she will work with volunteers to help circulate our print materials to organizations in the neighborhood and throughout the city. The intern will draft calendar listings and event postings for each public project and exhibition and post them to all relevant sites. The communications intern will also help Southern Exposure maintain relationships with gallery visitors and volunteers, keeping our mailing lists up to date and organizing volunteer information. He or she will also assist in Southern Exposure’s ongoing social networking effort and archive project and in the development of a new soex.org website, to be launched in 2012. Skills needed for this position are a proficiency in writing, attention to detail, organization, ability to complete projects independently and a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and FileMaker. Html knowledge is a plus.
CURATORIAL INTERN
Under the supervision of Exhibitions Program Manager, the curatorial intern receives, organizes, and prepares artist materials for curatorial committee review. The curatorial intern also attends and takes minutes at monthly curatorial meetings. Due to high demand for this position, previous Southern Exposure interns are usually promoted to this position because they have an intimate knowledge of the organization's mission, structure, and administrative/computer system. Skills needed for this position are a proficiency in writing, attention to detail, ability to follow through with long-term projects, working within a committee structure, knowledge of contemporary artistic practices and a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Photoshop. This position requires a one-year commitment.
SOEX OFFSITE CURATORIAL INTERN
Under the supervision of Exhibitions Program Manager and the Executive Director, the SoEx Off-Site Curatorial Intern receives, organizes, and prepares artist submissions sent in to the Off-Site program for SoEx's curatorial committee to review and eventually select an artist for the award. The Off-Site Curatorial Intern attends and takes minutes at all review meetings and will work with the Exhibitions Program Manager and committee to help develop the project, prepare artist contacts, and communicate with artists about their proposals by mail and phone. Due to high demand for this position, previous Southern Exposure interns are usually promoted to this position because they have an intimate knowledge of the organization's mission, structure, and administrative/computer system. Skills needed for this position are a proficiency in writing, attention to detail, ability to follow through with long-term projects, working within a committee structure, knowledge of contemporary artistic practices and a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Photoshop and File Maker Pro. This position requires a one-year commitment.
GENERAL/ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN
The general administrative intern works with all staff members to support various project-based tasks. This includes grant research, assisting with installations, mailings, distribution, soliciting donations and volunteers, and other duties related to the administration of a nonprofit arts organization. Southern Exposure seeks a general administrative intern that is self-motivated and flexible. This internship is a great introduction to Southern Exposure and often leads to the interns participation in more specialized projects.
GRANT WRITING/FUNDRAISING INTERN
The Grant Writing/Fundraising intern works with the executive director in all aspects fundraising through grants and donor relations. The intern will be an active participant in researching and completing a variety of grants from private foundations to government sources. The intern will help conduct research, update the grant calendar, organize grant files, and assemble support materials for grant applications. The intern will also write, edit and assemble a variety of grant materials on deadline, including narrative, budgets, and other application materials. Additionally, the intern will assist with fundraising through individual donor relations and will provide assistance with special events, correspondences, and related work. Skills needed for this position are a proficiency in writing, an attention to detail, ability to work independently on individual projects for collaborative review, ability to understanding forms and directions, good with working with deadlines, summarizing questions, ability to assess needs and solutions and a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and FileMaker Pro.
*INSTALLATION INTERN
The installation internship is ideal for someone interested in installing artwork, construction and fabrication processes, designing exhibitions and facility maintenance. Under the supervision of the Exhibitions Program Manager, the installation intern works directly with Southern Exposure artists to install and strike their shows, create and install signage and maintain the gallery's appearance. This intern will assist with the inventory and organization of all gallery materials and supplies, including the maintenance, labeling, purchase and in-kind donations of tools, paint, technical equipment, pedestals, tables, etc. Past experience with installing artwork and painting and preparing walls is preferred. Basic knowledge of tools and hardware related to exhibition installation and the ability to endure mild physical labor is a must. As part of the SoEx team, all interns are expected to provide general support to the Programs Manager and staff in daily tasks if requested.
* MISSION VOICES SUMMER (MVS) INTERN
Mission Voices Summer is an eight-week summer arts program that gives young people the opportunity to exercise leadership skills and participate in their community by exploring relevant social and personal issues through visual and performing arts. The MVS intern will work with the Artists in Education Program Manager to help with coordination, administration and final installation of the program. The intern will also help with publicity, in-kind donations, outreach and support for the final event of the program. Skills needed for this position include an interest in community arts and organizations, working with youth, and event planning. Being bi-lingual is a plus.
*MONSTER DRAWING RALLY INTERN
The Monster Drawing Rally intern works primarily with the Exhibitions Manager and the Artists-in-Education Manager to coordinate all aspects of the annual Monster Drawing Rally [MDR]. The main responsibility of the MDR intern will be to serve as the primarly liaison with the artists. Other responsibilities may include: sending out event postings and calendar listings, organizing necessary supplies, helping to coordinate volunteers, uploading photos and text to the SoEx website, and data entry. The MDR intern must be available at least one day a week from the beginning of April through July, and must absolutely be available to serve a key position at the event on June 8. Skills needed for this position are: excellent organization, good people skills, the ability to work under pressure, a general appreciation for contemporary art (and particularly drawing), enthusiasm, and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Filemaker Pro. Experience with Photoshop and web programs a plus.
*PHOTO DOCUMENTATION INTERN
The Photo Documentation Intern works with the Exhibitions Program Manager to document Southern Exposure’s exhibitions, education programs, events, projects and performances. This position requires someone who has exceptional photography experience including a working knowledge of photographing in daylight, tungsten, and cross-illuminated environments. Subject matter includes gallery installation shots, artwork details, publicity images, crowd images during events and receptions, and live performance documentation. Responsibilities include processing digital images of current exhibition programming for our website, press purposes and our digital archive. Proficiency in Photoshop is required. A working knowledge of Illustrator and In Design is a plus and access to a Digital SLR camera is preferred. This position requires some evening and weekend shifts as well as 12-20 office hours per month.
*VIDEO DOCUMENTATION INTERN
The Video Documentation Intern works with the Exhibitions Program Manager to document Southern Exposure’s upcoming series of exciting exhibition projects, performances and events. This position requires someone who has exceptional video experience and a serious commitment to the medium. A working knowledge of documenting in a variety of different lighting environments and recording sound at different levels is ideal. Responsibilities include setting up the gallery in advance of the event for video and sound recording, effectively documenting programming and editing material in a timely manner. In addition, the video intern is also responsible for logging, archiving, and uploading video to DVD and SoEx's website for distribution to relevant parties. Skills needed for this position include a proficiency in video editing software such as Final Cut Pro. Knowledge of basic web, print publishing formats and archiving databases such as File-Maker Pro are a plus. Access to a digital video camera and related equipment, as well as an editing studio and the ability to work independently outside of the gallery is preferred. We are looking to work with someone who has a flexible schedule and can be available on weekends and evenings.
*JUNE VIDEO DOCUMENTATION INTERN - MACHINE PROJECT
Southern Exposure is looking for an intern to assist in the documentation of an upcoming project in conjunction with the LA-based artist space Machine Project. This twenty-day project from June 11th through June 30th will present performances and events by twenty Los Angeles based artists along with work by twenty Bay Area artists in twenty different homes in San Francisco and the East Bay. Documentation will be shown at the gallery at Southern Exposure throughout the project, so all production will require a very fast turn around. This is an opportunity to work alongside the artist Emily Lacy on an intensely focused project, and get to know two innovative art spaces, and create work that will remain an important part of their archives. Responsibilities will include assisting with equipment, managing the flow of footage, assistance with shooting and fast-paced editing, and creating a system of output for daily uploads. This project will require a significant time commitment from June 11th through July 6th. This position requires someone who has exceptional video experience and a serious commitment to the medium.
Emily Lacy's work for Machine can be seen here: http://vimeo.com/machineproject/videos
This internship will be extended to include the documentation of Southern Exposure’s future series of exciting exhibition projects, performances, and events. These responsibilities include setting up the gallery in advance of the event for video and sound recording, effectively documenting programming, and editing audio and video material in a timely manner. In addition, the video intern is also responsible for logging, archiving, and uploading video to DVD and SoEx's website for distribution to relevant parties. Occasional technical assistance with video, audio, and computer installations for programming may be required. Skills needed for this position include Mac skills, familiarity with video and audio equipment, and a proficiency in video editing software such as Final Cut Pro or IMovie. Access to a digital video camera, editing software, HTML skills, and the ability to work independently outside of the gallery are a plus. This position requires some evening and weekend shifts as well as 12-20 office hours per month. A six-month or year commitment is preferred.
* Available positions are listed at the top.
