Internships are one of the best ways to build professional connections, test an industry, and gain real, hands-on experience before you graduate.

VCUarts students find internships in their own way: through independent research, faculty mentors, alumni networks, postings on The Lamp Post, and Handshake, VCU’s job and internship platform. Search opportunities open to VCU students and filter by “Internship” to narrow your results — then focus on roles that match your major, interests, and career goals.

How it works

Step 1: Meet with your academic advisor to plan the right year and semester for your internship

Step 2: Find your opportunity through research, networking, faculty, The Lamp Post arts student blog, or Handshake

Step 3: Prepare a professional application, portfolio and LinkedIn profile: a resume and job materials that reflect your passion, experience, creativity and goals

Step 4: Enroll in a for-credit internship course specific to your major and department

Internship guidelines by department

Review the department-by-department list of internship courses.

To learn about requirements, and to apply for an internship, review the internship guidelines

Registering for the ARTE 493 Internship course requires an override which is provided to students after a completed internship application is approved by the departmental internship supervisor and chair. Applications must be approved prior to the start of the internship, at least one week prior to the first day of classes.

To learn about requirements, and to apply for an internship, review the internship guidelines

Registering for the ARTH 493. Museum Internship or ARTH 693 Graduate Museum Internship requires an override, which is provided to students after a completed internship application is approved by the departmental internship supervisor and chair. Applications must be approved prior to the start of the internship, at least one week prior to the first day of classes.  

Internships give you a hands-on opportunity to test-drive different career fields and discover the kind of work that matches your personality and interests. As an intern, you’ll collaborate on real world projects, sharpen practical skills for your resume, and build a professional network that can open doors to future opportunities.

To earn internship credit in CINE 493  Film Internship (1-3 credits), follow this step-by-step roadmap before, during, and after your internship.

Special Note: May be repeated up to a maximum of six credits

Internships give you a hands-on opportunity to test-drive different career fields and discover the kind of work that matches your personality and interests. As an intern, you’ll collaborate on real-world projects, sharpen practical skills for your resume, and build a professional network that can open doors to future opportunities.

To earn internship credit in COAR 492: Communication Arts (1-6 credits), follow this step-by-step roadmap before, during, and after your internship.

Prerequisites: Senior standing and a 3.0 GPA (or permission of the department chair.  May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.

The Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising encourages all students to complete an internship.  An internship is one of the best experiences a student can have during his or her undergraduate studies.  Internships provide hands-on, on-site learning and help students build their professional networks.  Internship opportunities are available all over the U.S and the world, and include experiences in areas such as product development, design room assistant, buying or merchandise management assistant, forecasting, and technical design. 

To request and override and learn more about internship opportunities, contact Hawa and Jenni.

To learn about requirements, and to apply for an internship, review the internship guidelines

The following credit-bearing internship courses are available to students in the Fine Arts Department based on major:

CRAF 493. Internship
PAPR 493. Internship for Painting and Printmaking
SCPT 493. Sculpture Internship

Registration requires an override, which is provided to students after a completed internship application is approved by the departmental internship supervisor and chair. Applications must be approved prior to the start of the internship, at least one week prior to the first day of classes.

Overrides to GDES481 are restricted to gdes majors enrolled in at least one regularly scheduled upper-level (300–500 level) course. Students must have completed the first two semesters in the program, with minimum 3.00 gpa in the major.

To request a graphic design practicum agreement which outlines the requirements, restrictions and registration procedures, contact the coordinating faculty Jamie Mahoney at mahoneyjb@vcu.edu.

Students in the BFA and MFA programs are required to complete an internship for credit as part of the program curriculum. BFA students are eligible to complete an internship for credit after completion of IDES 431 Business Practices and their junior year. Students must enroll in IDES 493 during the semester in which they are employed as interns. MFA candidates are eligible after completing the first year in the program and must enroll in IDES 693.

Download the Department of Interior Design Internship Work Contract (PDF)

BFA Internship Coordinator, Department Chair
Roberto Ventura, rlventura@vcu.edu

MFA Internship Coordinator
Kristin Carleton, carletonkr@vcu.edu

The IDES Internship Contact List is a list of architecture and design firms and design-related employers that have recently hosted students from our programs. Due to the changing nature of professional work environments, some contact information might have changed. Verify a firm’s contact information by checking the firm’s website or call/email the firm’s contact directly.

Internships give you a hands-on opportunity to test-drive different career fields and discover the kind of work that matches your personality and interests. As an intern, you’ll collaborate on real-world projects, sharpen practical skills for your resume, and build a professional network that can open doors to future opportunities.

To earn internship credit in KINE 492  Internship (1-3 credits)  follow this step-by-step roadmap before, during, and after your internship.

Special Notes: 

  • May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
  • It is highly recommended that the student has completed at least 24 credits in KI courses and have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 in the major.

Interested students may apply to the Music Department for participation in Music Internship (APPM 493) via the music internship application. Applications are reviewed on the basis of GPA, instructor recommendation(s), professional promise, and demonstrated interest and competence in the area of study.

Internships give you a hands-on opportunity to test-drive different career fields and discover the kind of work that matches your personality and interests. As an intern, you’ll collaborate on real-world projects, sharpen practical skills for your resume, and build a professional network that can open doors to future opportunities.

To earn internship credit in PHTO 495 Photography and Film Internship ( 1-6 credits) follow this step-by-step roadmap before, during, and after your internship.

Special Notes: 

May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits.

Students who have identified professional internship opportunities in theatre and/or dance who wish to receive academic credit should complete this application to enroll in either DANC 493 (Dance), THEA 493 (Theatre Undergraduates) or THEA 593 (Theatre Graduate Students).

Applications are reviewed on the basis of the proposed internship, GPA, instructor recommendation(s), professional promise, and demonstrated interest and competence in the area of study.
 
Students must possess a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 with a minimum major GPA of 3.0 and must have completed a minimum of 60 credits. Questions should be directed to performing arts advisor Janel Miley (mileyjr@vcu.edu).

Funding your internship

VCUarts Internship Support Grant

The VCU Foundation Arts Internship Grant Program helps make unpaid or low-paid internships possible. Eligible students receive a $400 starter grant for upfront costs, then $20 per hour worked, up to $2,800 per year. Applications opened September 1 and review of applications begins October 1.

VCU Internship Funding Program

Undergraduates, don’t let your funding needs keep you from taking advantage of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Up to $5000 in funding will be awarded as a direct deposit. It can be used to supplement the costs for your initial travel to your internship, daily commuting via public transportation, housing, childcare, professional attire, supplies, and other expenses.

Internship Opportunities: Fine Arts

Browse a handful of recent opportunities from Handshake, and log in for a full listing.

Internship Opportunities: Narrative Media

Browse a handful of recent opportunities from Handshake, and log in for a full listing.

Internship Opportunities: Design

Browse a handful of recent opportunities from Handshake, and log in for a full listing.

Internship Opportunities: Performing Arts

Browse a handful of recent opportunities from Handshake, and log in for a full listing.