Program: Contemporary Art
Supervisor: Vice President, Contemporary Art
Full-time/Part-time: Part-time
Paid/Unpaid: Unpaid
Deadline to Apply: Until filled
BRIC’s Contemporary Art program seeks curatorial and marketing interns for the fall 2015 semester. Curatorial Interns will assist with planning, research, writing, and administrative work for upcoming exhibitions. The Marketing Intern will work on general marketing projects to promote upcoming exhibitions as well as public programs. The Marketing Intern will also assist in the planning and execution of receptions, public programs, and the fall 2015 BRIC Gala. All interns will gain valuable experience in the administration of a non-profit cultural space. This internship is located at BRIC House, our downtown Brooklyn facility that brings our contemporary art, performing arts and community media programs under one roof.
Founded in 1981, BRIC’s Contemporary Art program is the oldest of its kind in Brooklyn. We presents rigorously curated exhibitions and programs focusing on emerging and mid-career artists whose work captures a rich cross-section of ideas, voices, and artistic media that reflect Brooklyn’s diversity. Exhibitions include thematic group shows and solo exhibitions in our 3,000 sf main gallery; and smaller projects presented around BRIC House. Given Brooklyn’s status as home to an extraordinary concentration of visual artists, our focus allows us to work with artists of exceptional talent and to curate exhibitions that are both local and global in scope. We also provide platforms for artists through an online artist registry (currently housing the portfolios of some 1,500 artists) as well as open-call emerging curator, media fellowship, and visual artist residency opportunities that involve a competitive selection process. We engage the public through artist talks, panel discussions, performances, and exhibition publications.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Curatorial Interns: Curatorial interns will conduct research on artists, write artist bios and assist with the preparation of texts and materials for exhibition catalogues, prepare loan forms and other administrative documents, and compile information for exhibition binders.
Interns will be assigned to work on upcoming exhibitions as well as on other initiatives of the Contemporary Art program:
Juan Sánchez: ¿What’s the Meaning of This? (Nov. 5 – Dec. 27, 2015), focusing on painting, printmaking, and video by the influential Latino artist
Creative Action: Artists in the Social Sphere (Mar. 16 – May 1, 2016), to will include the work of some eight artists or collectives whose creative projects examine such themes as racial and social justice issues, the environment, homelessness, and immigration
The BRIC Biennial, Volume II: Bed Stuy and Crown Heights (fall 2017), an ambitious survey of some 25 emerging and mid-career artists based in these neighborhoods
Projects related to smaller exhibitions may also be assigned.
Marketing and Events Intern: In addition to general marketing and administrative tasks, the intern will assist with preparation for the BRIC Gala, which will take place on October 27, 2015. Duties will include:
Coordinating and sending press releases and press materials; organize press clippings
updating press lists; preparing specialized press lists for 2015-16 exhibitions
Social media planning and content research
Website: updating and archiving website pages
Assisting with content and design of artist eblasts
Research for cross-promotional opportunities and outreach to those organizations etc.
Gala: assisting with production of Gala program, following-up on and coordinating experience auction items, assisting with e-blasts and website content for Gala
Image manipulation for multiple purposes.
All interns will
Divide their time between working in the gallery where they will also act as gallery receptionists, as well as in our offices.
Be responsible for general office tasks and occasional errands.
Work occasional evenings in order to assist at occasional public programs and events
Have the opportunity to write for BRIC’s blog and for our other social media sites.
About BRIC
BRIC is a BRIC is the leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn, and one of the largest in New York City. We present and incubate work by artists and media-makers who reflect the diversity that surrounds us. Hundreds of thousands of people attend BRIC programs each year, and hundreds of thousands more watch our web and tv based programs. In addition to making cultural programming genuinely accessible, BRIC is dedicated to providing substantial support to artists and media makers in their efforts to develop work and reach new audiences.
Our main venue, BRIC Arts | Media House in downtown Brooklyn, offers a public media center, a major contemporary art exhibition space, two performance spaces, artist work spaces, and a glass-walled tv studio.
Some of BRIC’s most acclaimed programs include the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival in Prospect Park, several path-breaking public access media initiatives, including BRIC TV, and a renowned contemporary art exhibition series. BRIC also offers education and other vital programs at BRIC House and throughout Brooklyn. Learn more at bricartsmedia.org.
Desired Education/Experience/Skills
Curatorial Interns:
Students majoring in art history or curatorial studies strongly preferred.
Good general knowledge of and interest in contemporary art and culture.
Excellent writing and research skills.
Marketing and Event Intern:
Proficiency with social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Familiarity with HTML, Content Management Systems (CMS), and email marketing programs is helpful.
Image digitalization skills.
All interns
Preference will be given to students who are entering their junior or senior undergraduate year; we will also consider MA candidates.
Familiarity with basic design programs including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Good phone and communication skills.
Highly organized and detailed; ability to keep track of information on multiple projects.
Knowledge of PC and Mac computers. Computer programs including, Microsoft Word and Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Photoshop.
Schedule
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10-6. Interns are asked to work 16 – 20 hours per week for a three month or semester period. BRIC House is located at 647 Fulton Street in downtown Brooklyn near multiple subway lines.
This is an unpaid internship; academic credit may be arranged.
How to Apply
Intern selection is highly competitive. Please send resume with brief cover letter to Elizabeth Ferrer at eferrer@BRICartsmedia.org. Selected applicants will be contacted for a writing sample and to schedule telephone interviews. These will be followed, if possible, by in-person interviews at BRIC House. The position will begin in mid to late September.