LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY ART DEPARTMENT

 

 

INTERNSHIPS

 
 

The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) is a teaching museum dedicated to educating students about how their skills can be applied to the betterment of their community. Internships at the LCVA are an ideal opportunity for students to hone their skills while obtaining “real life,” on-the-job experiences. The LCVA encourages college students from any discipline to apply for an internship.

Internships are available with and without stipends in a variety of areas, including administration, marketing, public relations, development, collections management, exhibitions management, and education.

Questions?
Contact Emily Gresham
434 395 2648

Internships (no stipend):
Deadline for application: 2 weeks prior to each semester.
For internships without stipends students must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Internships are offered for 1-3 credit hours. Four hours of work per credit hour is required.

To apply for an internship, please send a letter of interest, resume (including current GPA), and 3 academic references (name, title, email, phone) to:

Emily Gresham , Curator of Education
LCVA
129 North Main Street
Farmville, VA 23901

 

Internship (With Stipend):
Deadline for application:
Each year the LCVA selects one student to receive a year-long Bishop-Wells Internship that carries a $1000 stipend.



PREVIOUS
INTERNSHIPS

 
 

First Bishop-Wells Interns Make Big Impact

 

Intern Terry Johnson

2005-06 marked the first year of the Bishop-Wells Internship program. In the summer of 2005 anthropology major Terry Johnson (Roanoke, VA) and history major Stephanie Martin (Virginia Beach, VA) were selected from a highly qualified pool of applicants to participate in a year-long internship at the LCVA.

Terry Johnson worked tirelessly in the LCVA’s collections management area. She was instrumental in the continuing organization of the collections storage area as well as the updating of the collection database and hard copy files. Perhaps most significant were her contributions to the success of two major projects: the Reflecting Centuries of Beauty: The Rowe Collection of Chinese Art exhibition and the restoration of Longwood’s beloved Joan of Arc (Joanie on the Pony) by Anna Hyatt Huntington. 

Terry wrote:
Working at the LCVA was a wonderful experience. Janet [Janet Lundy, Collections Manager] always provided an outline of what I could expect to be doing for the week and what upcoming projects I would be involved in. I learned not only how the collections department works, but also about the interactions of the different departments within the museum. I got to work with several of these departments to help prepare the Chinese exhibit for its opening. As I learned more about how the Visual Arts Center operated, I was given more responsibilities and less supervision in my tasks. I was taught how to handle and label artwork and  use the computer filing system, and even learned some basic art conservation with Sharon [Sharon Koehler, Certified Objects Conservator]. My internship allowed me a wide range of experiences within the LCVA. Everyone I worked with was friendly and very willing to help me if I had any questions about my tasks. The experiences I gained while working at the LCVA were enjoyable and useful.


Intern Stephanie Martin

Stephanie Martin was also a tremendous boon to LCVA operations. Her hard work, intelligence, and personable demeanor made her an outstanding ambassador. Her work was a key component in the success of the LCVA’s new program Have Art, Will Travel.  The program reached 38 classes and more than 800 second grade children and their teachers. Additionally, without Stephanie the LCVA would not have been able to deliver tours to the more than 2000 children who came to view the Chinese exhibition.

Stephanie wrote:
My experience as an intern at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts taught me so much about the running of a museum and historical education. I had the chance not only to help organize and run an outreach program but to go to local county schools and teach 2nd graders. I learned so much about Chinese art as well as working with young students. I also had the opportunity to help with the Kids’ Activity Room and give tours of the Chinese exhibition to Prince Edward Elementary School. I not only feel that this opportunity furthered my experience in working in a museum, but it has also made me excited about obtaining a job in historical outreach.

The Bishop-Wells Internship was established by virtue of gifts in memory of Barbara L. Bishop (Class of 1961, Art Department Faculty, Art Department Chair) and in honor of Dr. Carolyn Wells (Professor Emeritus of Biology; Chair, Department of Natural Sciences; and Vice President for Academic Affairs) by family, friends, and Longwood University alumni. The internship program recognizes the significant role that Bishop and Wells played in the establishment of the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts.

 

 

 

PREVIOUS INTERNS

Anthropology
Sarah Walker, Collections Research

 

Art—Studio
Kevin Bopp, Brochure Design
Melissa Goss, ART Kids Manual and Exhibition Calendar Design
Brian Jones, Brochure Design
Nathan Strumfeld, Web Page Design

 

Art—History
Jennifer Baker, Collections Research
Michelle McMillian, Collections Research
Ophelia Redmond, Collections Research

 

Business and Economics
Chris Bonham, Web Page Design

 

Communications Studies
Kari Goldstein, Assistant to the Registrar
LaKisha Page, Public Relations
Kim Schade, Public Relations
Erica Schmeits, Special Events
Mali Tyson, Event Planning
Justin Vanderspegiel, Development
Laura Veazey, Development and Marketing
Catie Wind, Administration

 

History
Lorin Seipp, Oral History

 

Sociology
Andi Graham, ART Kids
Adrianna Knapp, ART Kids

 

 

 

Andi Graham

During this past semester, I have had the privilege to work for the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts for the purpose of an independent study requirement. This opportunity has allowed me to gain hands-on experience within the research field. I was able to work with another student from Longwood University, Adriana Knapp, and together we conducted a qualitative study on the effects of the ART Kids program, also known as Apply, Resolve and Thrive, on past participants.

Throughout the process we were able to gain experience in research design, interviewing, and analysis of data. We conducted face-to-face interviews with past participants who are still in the Prince Edward County School System and who are not currently enrolled in the program. These participants were required to return a permission slip allowing them to participate in a brief interview about what they remembered from their experience, if it was negative or positive, what they learned about themselves, and what they learned from the program.

In reference to the research design, we not only formulated the design for our present study, but we have concluded our project with a design for a future research project that will be more beneficial for the LCVA, in terms of statistical significance and demonstrating a more thorough investigation of the effectiveness of the ART Kids program.

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Adrianna Knapp

Many of [the children] really get into their artwork. I had no idea how powerful art could be until I worked with the program. [They] generally take a lot of pride in their artwork.

 

 

Catie Wind

I am extremely grateful for my experience at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. I never realized how much work goes into making an organization run and how important it is that everyone work together. This experience has given me a new perspective on how amazing art really is and the importance of museums and galleries. I believe Longwood is very lucky to have access to a place like the LCVA and I plan on being involved with it in the future.

 

 

Justin Vanderspegiel

As the Development Assistant Intern for the LCVA I have performed an array of tasks that have allowed me to personally expand my abilities as a communications major. Over the course of the semester I was given the opportunity to develop a presentation to help gain support for the ART Kids program. I personally attended three ART Kids sessions to understand more about the program. I developed a PowerPoint presentation and sales pitch to specifically engage the Greek organizations at Longwood University. I contacted the presidents of eight organizations and set up meetings. Through these presentations I was able to raise $750 for the ART Kids program.

Although the ART Kids project took over as a primary focus, I did many other things. One was creating a large database using Excel software. This database was made up of all the visitors from 1999-2002. Another database calculated how many visitors resided in the LCVA service area. Normal day-to-day activities ranged from working on specific computer-related tasks, creating mailing lists, delivering proposals, or working at the front desk. These normal activities also allowed me to experience what goes on behind the scenes for the LCVA to be a success.

 

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Erica Schmeits

I learned a lot from this experience. I learned the importance of scheduling and who to talk to about making an event successful. I learned how to write a press release, organize a large event, and write letters to businesses and individuals for support. I also polished my presentation skills while presenting a PowerPoint lecture. Most importantly I learned how to work professionally with a team of people. I found that I enjoy event planning and all the work involved in it. I hope to make a career out of it after May 2004.

 

 

Kim Schade

During my time at the LCVA, I have grown to love the staff and its current interns. I am very sorry to leave, but I walk away with massive amounts of information, which will help me in the future. I also walk away with the satisfaction that I helped the LCVA, Longwood University, and South Central Virginia by giving everyone an extra hand in teaching people about art, which truly shapes our world.

 

 

Kari Goldstein

Throughout my time at the Center, I have noticed that everyone is a part of a team. Each person does a special part to keep the Center up and running. I have learned that with a positive attitude, things can get done more efficiently and effectively. Breaking down projects, whether it is an hourly time frame or day-to-day basis, can be done to lower stress levels and be more efficient. Organization helps with any task to be accomplished in the proper time frame.

 

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Longwood Center for the Visual Arts 129 North Main Street Farmville VA 23901 434 395 2206