During my STEP project, I completed a summer internship in Columbus with the arts non-profit Global Gallery. I worked as the events management intern and helped to facilitate and create new arts events in the community.
At the beginning of my internship I didn’t have much actual understanding of how arts management worked, or what went into running and managing a non-profit. I had never booked artists or musicians, had to use professional language to network, or been supervised in a managerial position. But during my internship I was able to do all these things and more.
I’m walking away now as a further developed arts professional who can say they’ve worked together with many local artists and musicians, and who has helped to create new and exciting events that engage and serve the entire community. I’ve learned how to communicate m
ore professionally, how to bring new ideas to my supervisors and company, and what it takes to maintain non-profit operations.
As I wrote earlier, this internship was the first time I was really in a professional managerial position. I had never in the workplace had so much responsibility. And when it comes to coordinating events and all the minute details that go into that, I think sometimes the responsibility can be overwhelming. Initially I felt terrified, that I wouldn’t pick up the role fast enough and I would let myself or my boss down. But after the first event, which was one of our weekly local musician performances, I was so excited and eager to learn that I barely felt the nerves anymore. That first event, in which I was the main contact for the musicians, really helped me to get a good understanding of what would be asked of me both in the internship and in my future career.
Local Band Six Feet Apart at Global Gallery
As the summer event season continued, my direct supervisor moved out-of-state which increased my own personal responsibilities. I was asked to run the weekly events as the main manager and contact in addition to working with my new direct supervisor to create new events. This change in leadership was a key time for me to work on my professional language and how I communicate not only with my supervisors, but also with musicians and artists when covering bad news or difficult topics.
Musician Joey Viola at Global
Finally, I was able to connect a musician friend to my resource (the performance series) He had only played in front of a real audience a handful of times, so he wasn’t seasoned or a big name. But I was so excited to give him this opportunity to come to Columbus and play for a larger crowd and create some new professional relationships for himself in the Columbus arts community. I think through this event I was able to see firsthand the kind of impact you can have on someone’s career as a professional in a managerial position, which makes you feel very humbled and excited to continue to do so.
All of these moments of growth have helped me to develop as a professional in the arts. I will carry the lessons from this internship with me into my career as the foundation for my future as an arts manager. I am beyond grateful to have had this opportunity and to have been able to apply my education directly to the Columbus community as well as learn so much working knowledge.