July 7, 2015
The [Intern]al Perspective: Advice for Young Artists
Photo courtesy of A. O’Brien Photography.
If you’re reading this and are a current or future undergrad student in the Los Angeles County area that is pursuing a career in the arts, then I implore you to look into applying for an internship through the LA County Arts Commission (LACAC) program for the summer of 2016.
Now, applications do not open until spring next year, but I believe it is to your benefit that you mark your calendars and apply for a professional arts internship as soon as you are able to. Because of this experience so far, I have been exposed to an immense amount of talent, dedication, and artistry that I otherwise would have only dreamed of experiencing. It has been extremely beneficial to my work ethic and artistic expression to be able to work closely with a professional nonprofit theater company and witness the inner workings of every aspect that goes into creating art.
Cornerstone is special because we approach the development of productions in an alternative way by actively involving community members here in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles and in the communities where we have established institutes. As someone who is freshly new to the Cornerstone family, it has been a great pleasure getting to know these artists that are onstage and offstage. Being able to work for the Communications Department has offered me opportunities to engage with representatives from other theater companies, as well as actors, stage managers, technical theatre artists, etc. And it all has extended beyond Cornerstone.
Executive Director Laura Zucker addressing 130+ summer arts interns on the morning of July 1st, 2015, Arts Summit Day.
On Wednesday, July 1st, the LA County Arts Commission invited every single intern out to Culver City for a day to interact with one another and participate in a variety of workshops with professional arts managers. It was really exciting to witness another 130 young artists such as myself working in professional positions around LA county. Little did I know, two friends of mine from my college also had internships through the LACAC as well as a friend from high school. The amount of new people I met encouraged me that the future of the arts is held within capable and creative hands. I’m grateful to the LACAC for providing us with this wonderful opportunity and the opportunity is very much open to you if you so choose to take it. I highly recommend that you at least consider applying to a few internships through the LA County Arts Commission next year.
The dancers of Jacob Jonas The Company encouraged all of us to engage in a movement activity that got everyone up on their feet.
Written by Joseph Reyes, Cornerstone’s Communications Intern. Joseph is studying Theatre Arts and Business Management at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. This internship is made possible by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission Summer Internship program.
