The Works to Work Program – Paid Summer Work-Education Internships
Closing Date of Opportunity: March 18, 2025
Name or Organization: Works International Visual Arts Society
Contact Email: education@theworks.ab.ca
Website: https://theworksfest.wufoo.com/forms/2025-works-to-work-summer-internship-application/
Post Content: Deadline for applications: 11:59 pm March 18, 2025
Term: Full time from May – July 2025
Start date: May 2, 2025
Works to Work is a one-of-a-kind leadership and professional development program designed for emerging arts professionals. Participants complete in-class modules while working to deliver The Works Art & Design Festival in downtown Edmonton. The Works is currently looking for engaged, adaptive, challenge seeking individuals to join the team for summer 2025!
About the Festival
Now celebrating our 40th anniversary year, The Works International Visual Arts Society presents The Works Art & Design Festival—a unique, free event that showcases everything from visual art to cutting edge design, digital art, and new media technology. The Festival advances the development, awareness and appreciation of art and design in Canada and provides artists, designers, and the public a forum for exchanging ideas.
The Works to Work Summer Internship program is fast-paced, intensive internship that connects theoretical with practical learning. The internship begins in May and runs throughout the summer with in-class instruction and up to 450 hours of practical work experience. Participants benefit from working with experienced arts presenters and world-class artists. Several learning strategies are used throughout the program including site lectures, student instruction, hands-on demonstrations, professional exposure, guest lectures, group discussions, collaborative assignments, and peer mentorship.
As a work-education program, training, team-building, and mentoring sessions are a part of the internship to support capacity building and skill development for those interested in a career in the arts. We follow a “popular education” approach, where the skills and experiences of participants inform our learning as a team. Teachers and learners aren’t two distinct groups – instead, we all enter the space open to learning and prepared to contribute.
Placements are available in the following streams:
1. Exhibit Production & Technology: Oversee the physical aspects of 20+ exhibits and installations including venue preparation, artwork handling, install & dismantle, construction techniques, resource management, inventories, and special projects. Five positions available.
2. Curatorial: Administer and document festival presentations including curatorial research, registration, reporting, archiving, contracts, insurance, communications, curatorial intent, exhibit interpretation, and audience development. Work closely with the Production team to conduct artwork handling, exhibit install & dismantle. One position available.
3. Design: Assist with the design of The Works Art & Design Festival marketing collateral, apply festival campaign to print and web outputs including festival guide. One position available.
4. Marketing, Public Relations, Special Events: Develop and implement public and media outreach strategies, administer and deliver special events throughout the festival season including the media launch, artist events, stage presentations, and celebration events. One position available.
5. Volunteer Administration: Recruit, orient, schedule, and develop event and appreciation programs for The Works volunteers. Maintain and develop relationships with volunteer organizations and community supporters. Operate volunteer headquarters during festival. One position available.
To encourage ongoing skills development, Works to Work allows participants to return summer after summer to progress from the Assistant through to Lead Supervisor level in a particular stream.
This is an in-person work opportunity. Remote work is not available.
If your application is for a practicum or co-op position, please indicate this in your cover letter and email education@theworks.ab.ca after submitting your application to ensure that co-op deadlines are not missed.
For more information about the Festival, visit our website: www.theworks.ab.ca
To learn more about the internship program, visit www.theworks.ab.ca/education
Apply today! A cover letter, resume, and 2-3 references are required to complete the application form.
Questions? Contact Taiessa at education@theworks.ab.ca