Visual Arts Internships and Their Effects on Career Ambitions of Adolescents

Cassandra E. Gonzales Spring 2014

Main Question
How do internships and mentor programs influence high school students' thinking about careers in the arts?

Subquestions

Why do high school students participate in extracurricular internships or mentor programs (especially in the visual arts)?

How do high school students describe their family's support of careers in the arts?

How do high school students perceive careers in the arts?

Literature Review

Methodology
Interviews and surveys conducted with:
current participants in the Pratt Scholars program past High School Interns at L.A. County Museum of Art [current college students]

Methodology
Personal Life History

interview with parents examination of my life experiences with visual arts and mentor programs

Life History

parents support of high academic achievement. took my brother and I to a lot of events that celebrated academic integrity.

my family at the Latino Book and Family Festival

When I was 10, my dad took my brother and I to meet Ellen Ochoa after a lecture at Cal Tech. She was the rst Latina to become an astronaut.

Life History

CTY/CAA Summer Program attended college prep. high school with minimal art. expectations to attend traditional liberal arts schools. introduction to Elizabeth Morin Department of Cultural Affairs. (first mentor)

me at 14 when I attended CTY at Lafayette College

introduced me to working at Self-Help Graphics

Broad Findings

Individual Student Profiles

Bailey

LACMA High School Intern career aspirations: curator Studies at Eugene Lang academic goals: BFA/BA (BAFA program at Parsons) mother - studied English step-father - studied acting

Joanna

LACMA High School Intern studies at Parsons " I always loved fashion, but since I had never taken any art classes, I wasn't sure about following my passion. But through the internship, I was able to meet with the Mulleavy sisters (Rodarte) and Kate gave me an advice that allowed me to take a big leap. " "now, I am following a career path that I genuinely enjoy. Just thinktwo years ago I was thinking of pre-med or law, and now I'm an aspiring designer working on her portfolio!"

Anna

Pratt Young Scholar attends Midwood High School heard about program through her art teacher's suggestion that she apply.

"He stated that I might be able to get into a professional art college"

career aspirations: fine artist or musician academic goals: MFA "My family didn't say much about the program. They support my every movements since I was young" "They were pleased with my decision (to apply to be a Pratt Scholar). I wouldn't say they are excited since they want me to focus on medical, but they're happy that I can make my own decisions" "I know that being quiet isn't going to work out in the future. With this program, I learned to open up a bit more"

Findings

students who participate in visual arts internships/mentor programs became more aware of the realistic opportunities to pursue professional careers in the arts regardless of a student's background or experience with arts previously positive progression in parent approval of visual arts careers.

Findings

Students whose families supported them academically, were more likely to participate in internships/ mentor programs and therefor became more aware of visual arts careers. students who participate in one internship/ mentor program are more likely to gain the social and academic skills necessary to pursue job opportunities and professional experiences.

Recommendations

Further inclusion of parents in visual arts internships and mentor programs will encourage students to involve parents in their career choices and ultimately their professional world.

Recommendations

Art institutions should strive to include a social/ professional practice component to internship and mentor programs. More culturally specic research is needed to examine the effects that internships and mentor programs have on adolescents.