Working in the Arts: The New York Experience is a three-week intensive program for select university students designed to offer valuable experience for those who have an interest in working in the arts. The program includes mini-internships at leading arts organizations in Manhattan; educational sessions with guest speakers from within the industry; and the opportunity to attend performances and exhibitions. 

The program was first offered to twelve students from DePauw University. The students worked 30 to 35 hours per week in unpaid internship positions from January 7-24, 2008. The students’ interests and abilities were matched with their host organizations’ needs. During the three weeks, students were placed at the following organizations: Dance Theater Workshop, The Public Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Lois Greenfield Photography, Eliran Murphy Group, WNYC, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Alan Wasser Associates, The Araca Group, Sara Meltzer Gallery, and CCR.

During their stay in New York, the students attended The Public Theater’s production of David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face, the Broadway production of Spring Awakening, a performance by the Parsons Dance Company, and presentations by Dance Theater of Harlem’s Arthur Mitchell and artist/film director Julian Schnabel. Guest speakers included Broadway producers Hank Unger and Beth Williams, musicians Fred Johnson and John Moses, choreographer David Parsons, photographer Lois Greenfield, and artist manager Edna Landau.

Participants and advisors for the first year of "Working in the Arts" (2008)