Career Opportunities

ArtsBridge

UC Santa Cruz ArtsBridge, in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and ArtsBridge America, connects university faculty and scholars with K-12 teachers and students to foster creativity and learning. Through this partnership, undergraduate and graduate students are placed in public schools to teach arts disciplines, aiming to inspire youth, nurture teaching artists, and provide resources to classroom educators. ArtsBridge scholars receive monetary support and mentorship to teach approximately 16-24 hours over 10 weeks, gaining valuable classroom experience and exploring potential careers in education. Strong candidates recommended by faculty in various arts disciplines are encouraged to apply, with students responsible for their transportation to the host institution.

Arts Student Success

The Office for Arts Student Success, established by the Arts Division, aims to support the recruitment, retention, and career development of students while fostering an equitable environment. Through collaboration with academic departments and university offices, the division provides programs and services to enhance students’ academic and personal growth. Emphasizing inclusivity and diversity, the division is dedicated to serving underserved populations and promoting respect for cultural backgrounds, striving to improve equity experiences and success outcomes for historically underrepresented students in higher education.

Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS)

The IAS employs UC Santa Cruz students through paid internships and other work opportunities year-round. Student interns and staff receive hands-on training in gallery operations, installation, exhibition research, visitor experience, and more. Students across all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Audience Services for the Arts Division

The Arts Division’s Communications, Events, and Marketing Office (CEMO), hires, trains and schedules a student Audience Services crew to assist with events presented/produced by Arts Division units or other entities within Arts Division facilities, including front-of-house managers, ushers, ticketing crew and events assistants.

Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery

The Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery, located at Porter College within the University of California Santa Cruz, is a vital component of the Arts Division, offering diverse exhibition programming that enhances student learning across academic disciplines. Since 2015, the gallery has actively supported Porter College’s core curriculum through Creative Commons, providing first-year students with engaging art workshops. Through their gallery student programs, students gain practical experience in art handling, exhibition installation, and museum collections management, contributing significantly to the gallery’s daily operations and managing the Sesnon Underground, a student-curated exhibition space.

Museum Of Art And History (MAH)

Located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, The Museum of Art & History (MAH) serves as a vibrant hub for the community, hosting a diverse range of art and history exhibitions, visual and performing arts, festivals, educational programs, and cultural events in collaboration with various partners.

Santa Cruz Film Festival 

Founded in 2001 by Jane Sullivan and Johnny Davis, the Santa Cruz Film Festival has exhibited over 1,300 independent films by national and international filmmakers, as well as films and videos produced in the greater Santa Cruz County and Monterey Bay Areas. SCFF has volunteer and donation opportunities.

Santa Cruz Actors Theatre

The Actors’ Theatre, established in 1985, is a cornerstone of Santa Cruz’s theater scene, renowned for its cutting-edge productions and support for emerging and established playwrights. They offer volunteer and audition opportunities.

Motion Pacific Dance Studio

Motion Pacific offers opportunities for volunteering at various ticketed shows such as Majesty: A Queer Dance Party, max10, BBQueer, Santa Cruz Dance Week, and Stockings: A Holiday Cabaret. Volunteers can enjoy a backstage-type experience, receive a free drink ticket when applicable, and derive satisfaction from contributing to the organization. Volunteering is crucial for making shows more accessible and those interested can inquire via email.

AMC Careers

AMC Networks offers internship and career opportunities for passionate storytellers, who see their work as more than just a job. They take pride in crafting and sharing captivating narratives that resonate with audiences, featuring both fictional and real characters. Embracing diversity and inclusion, they recognize the importance of collaboration among individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives for ongoing success. As they strive to evolve as a premier storytelling destination, they invite others to join them in shaping the future of storytelling excellence.

Oscars Gold Rising

The Academy is committed to fostering emerging artists and enhancing access to the film industry for underrepresented groups. Their Academy Gold Rising program provides an intensive eight-week summer experience for college seniors, recent graduates, and young professionals, equipping them with essential skills, knowledge, and connections necessary for successful careers in filmmaking. Participants gain unparalleled access to industry insights and networking opportunities with Academy members.

Currents New Media

Currents represents a collective endeavor, involving our committed staff, exceptional interns, proficient installation crew, an extensive network of volunteers, partner venues facilitating festival events, and the diverse array of artists showcasing their work, both local and distant.

Disney Internships

Picture yourself collaborating closely with top professionals in your field, honing the skills acquired in classrooms, amid a network of renowned brands dedicated to crafting exceptional global experiences. Envision yourself embarking on a paid Disney Internship, a gateway to unparalleled opportunities.

LA County Arts Programs

The LA County Arts Internship Program, established in 2000, fosters the cultural sector by offering college students diverse opportunities to gain valuable skills relevant to careers in the arts and creative economy. Participants develop insights into nonprofit arts administration, the role of arts in communities, and acquire transferable skills for their future careers. The program, closely linked to The Getty Foundation’s Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship Program, extends its gratitude for The Getty’s support in enhancing educational components.

Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship

Paid summer internships at museums and visual arts organizations in LA for college students from backgrounds underrepresented in the arts.

Legendary Productions

Legendary Entertainment, a prominent media company, encompasses film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media), and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions, committed to creating and distributing content globally. With a portfolio of acclaimed media properties, Legendary has become a reputable brand known for delivering top-notch commercial entertainment, contributing to over $20 billion in global box office revenue from its productions.

LACMA: Los Angeles County Museum Of Art

Please review their website for updates on internship opportunities at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. They offer jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities. Unless otherwise noted, internship applicants must be currently enrolled in an academic program or a recent graduate (within 1 year).

Riot Games

As a Riot Intern, you can expect to nab honest mentorship from those around you. You’ll unlock access to career development courses to equip you for your journey ahead, spend time with leadership across disciplines to gain valuable insights, create lasting relationships with your intern community, and work with incredible teams to create meaningful experiences for players across the globe.