Summer Internship at 701 CCA

Summer Internship at 701 CCA

My summer spent interning with 701 Center for Contemporary Art has been a valuable learning experience. It was very rewarding to work with a nonprofit organization that emphasizes the importance of contemporary art and its role in the community. The ability to complete unique and wide-ranging projects within the organization is what I enjoyed most about the internship. It was exciting to be completing useful and necessary projects, rather than just busy-work. Throughout the internship, I have gained experience in many different fields relating to marketing, research, and gallery management. 

Installing Mana Hewitt: Persistence

My marketing projects included press releases, social media marketing, graphic design, and website development. One of my favorite marketing projects was designing a new business card for 701 CCA and fliers for our youth summer camps, as it gave me the opportunity to utilize my photoshop skills for professional use. I also was able to improve my marketing writing skills through writing press releases and email inquiries. I learned how to operate online softwares including MailChimp, SquareSpace, Submittable, and how to submit to local online calendars. Some of my other tasks included assisting in the completion of 701 CCA's timeline on our website and drafting social media posts.

The research aspect of my internship included tasks such as seeking artists to apply for opportunities within the organization and compiling exhibition-specific information. For our 701 CCA South Carolina Biennial call for artists, I researched artists to contact on both university websites and Instagram, as well as galleries throughout South Carolina, in order to reach a wide range of potential artist submissions. For our current exhibition, Mana Hewitt: Persistence, I researched each woman that she created a medal for and their accomplishments. This was a very interesting task as I was able to learn more about powerful women throughout history. I also archived press on several past exhibitions.

Mana Hewitt: Persistence Opening Reception

Gallery management is a hands-on experience where I assisted in exhibition install, design, and monitoring, as well as gallery events. I had never thought about all of the behind-the-scenes work that has to occur in order to maintain an art gallery, so it was an eye-opening experience to be a part of it all. I helped take down an exhibition, which included packing up all artwork and preparing the gallery for the next exhibition. Installing the next exhibition was exciting, as I was able to assist in the design and lighting of the gallery-wide exhibition. We held several events during my internship session, including an artist-talk in the loft with Jena Thomas and an opening reception for Mana Hewitt: Persistence - working these events was a fun opportunity to see the local art community in action. I also helped with our youth art-based summer camps. The youth summer camps gave me an opportunity to work with kids and aid in their creative growth.

Jena Thomas artist-talk featuring Muffin!

701 CCA is a volunteer based organization, with the executive direction being the only paid staff. Hannah Shepard, the executive director and intern supervisor, was extremely helpful and my mentor throughout this experience. During the internship, I was able to interact and learn from many different people involved in the art community, which was very interesting. While I have known I am interested in a career in the communications field, this experience has further opened my eyes to working with both a nonprofit and art-based organization such as an art museum or gallery. I am very thankful for my experience this summer at 701 CCA, as my appreciation and understanding of nonprofits and arts has grown exponentially.