THE ABI PROGRAM
ABOUT ARTBOUND INITIATIVE
Launched since 2016, ArtBound Initiative (ABI) is a New York City based agency for individuals seeking professional advancement in the creative fields at an international level. We offer practical and academically relevant internships that allows our participants to become more competitive applicant to desirable positions in several creative industries upon completion of the program.
ARTBOUND INITIATIVE IN NUMBERS
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Interns placed
1000+
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Partner companies across our locations
300
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60%
of participants get hired after their internship
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Average online rating across 250 reviews
9.4/10
OUR ALUMNI GOT HIRED AT
OUR UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
ABOUT US
The ArtBound Initiative program prepares students and recent grads for their careers and connects them with internship opportunities with creative companies in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Melbourne, Sydney, and Virtual.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
THE ARTBOUND INITIATIVE ACADEMY
A comprehensive course to provide each participant with the skills and preparation for success in their internship and career.
This course includes:
2 Course modules
Additional video tutorials and prep materials
6 Live Sessions with Advisors & Industry Professionals
Certificate of completion
2 Course Modules include:
Module 1: Profile & Travel Preparation
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Live Onboarding Session with ABI advisors & fellow participants
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Live Interview Preparation with a Senior Recruiter
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Personalized Resume Feedback from a Resume Writer
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Personalized Portfolio Feedback from an Industry Expert*
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Recruitment Preparation Video & Materials
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Visa Preparation Video & Materials*
Module 2: Internship Readiness & Industry Coaching
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Live Industry Preparation Session with Industry Experts
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Live Internship Preparation Session with a Senior ABI Advisor
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Live Session, Post-Internship Planning with a Senior Recruiter
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Live Session to meet the cohort of other participants
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Online Brand & LinkedIn Video & Materials
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Internship Preparation Video & Materials
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Housing & Relocation Preparation & Materials*
*If Applicable
GUARANTEED INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT
With an expansive network of leading creative companies, ArtBound Initiative (ABI) provides access to creative industries that are notoriously insular. We are partners with 300 creative companies which allows us to provide participants a guaranteed internship placement tailored to their career goals.
The timing of the placement will vary from each participant. Previous internship placements include:
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THE ABI NETWORK
The ArtBound Initiative program is not only about an internship, but it's about a community. Newcomers can connect with our international network of 1000+ current and past participants through our dedicated networking app and meet during our monthly events.
DEDICATED SUPPORT
Every participant is provided comprehensive support throughout the program by our coordinator teams.
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Program Coordinators: This team supports the participants with onboarding, the ABI Academy curriculum & assignments, and the resume & portfolio final submissions.
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Travel & Placement Coordinators: This team supports participants with Visa preparation and application, housing and insurance arrangements. They also handle placement with our partner employers, and internship check-ins.
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In-City Coordinators: We provide a dedicated coordinator in each destination to facilitate an in-city orientation for all newcomers, and serve as an emergency contact.
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TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
We provide travel and logistics support for our participants, which include:
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Visa processing and insurance arrangements (international only)
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Housing arrangements (optional)
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ABI pre-trip information package, including ABI city guide to local creative scenes
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In-city orientation
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Monthly meetups & events
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On-site support & emergency contact
SCHOLARSHIPS
ArtBound Initiative is committed to making the program accessible to students around the globe. We have awarded over $60,000 USD in scholarships since 2016.
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Ambassador Scholarship - Up to $1000 off the program tuition
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Creative Diversity Program - The Creative Diversity Program is available for seniors or recent graduates in the United States from backgrounds traditionally excluded from the creative industries. This program will offer students:
1. A Full Scholarship for the ArtBound Initiative program (worth US$2250) which includes personalized coaching, events, networking opportunities and access to our international network of alumni.
2. A paid internship opportunity in New York City with one of our company partners.
Read more about our scholarships here.
INTERNSHIP TYPES
We offer internships in the areas below. Internship types marked with an asterisk (*) have limited availability.
ADVERTISING &
COMMUNICATIONS
Communications
Public Relations
Marketing
Advertising
Social Media Management
Content Production
Event Management
Project Management
Content Writing/Copywriting
Strategy
Photography*
Graphic Design
Motion Design
UI/UX Design
Content Creation
DESIGN
Branding
Art Direction*
Web Design*
Layout Design*
Marketing
Wholesale
Trend Forecasting*
Public Relations
FASHION
Editorial
Styling*
Talent Management*
ENTERTAINMENT
& MEDIA
Talent Management
TV Production
Film Production*
Theater Production
Script Development
Video & Sound Editing
VFX*
Music Business*
Music Publishing*
Magazine Editorial*
Photography*
FINE ARTS
Studio Art
Artist Studio Management
Arts Administration/Cultural Management
Gallery & Curatorial
Marketing
Graphic Design
Writing*
BUDGETING & PROGRAM TUITION FEE
Our local program tuition fee is USD $2250 and our international program is USD $3250, which will also vary based on the duration of the internship. For our international program, the tuition fee does not include visa, insurance, housing and flight costs.
FEES BREAKDOWN
PAYMENT PROCESS
Participants can choose either one of the following:
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PAY IN 30:
> 25% deposit
> Remaining balance after 30 days
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PAY IN INSTALLMENTS:
> 25% deposit
> 3 separate installments*
*Incurs additional 5.8% service fee
RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Traveling and living abroad always has a cost and participants should carefully review and consider if they have adequate financial resources before deciding to undertake an international internship.
Click here to view a detailed breakdown of the recommended budget needed for our international programs.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
ABI has instituted a limited cancellation policy in line with current international education provider standards from which it cannot depart. Cancellations must be sent in writing via electronic mail. Phone calls are not acceptable. No refunds will be made other than those specified below.
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100% Refund of Total Program Fee
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Applicable if the participant withdraws within 5 calendar days from the deposit payment date.
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If ABI cannot secure an internship offer within 15 days after the intended internship start date, provided that the participant has not changed their internship strategies (industries, destinations, start date) from what was agreed upon during admissions, unless approved by ABI in writing.
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50% Refund of Total Program Fee
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If the participant withdraws after 5 calendar days from the deposit payment date but before ABI schedules the first interview with a partner company.
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25% Refund of Total Program Fee
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If the participant withdraws after at least one interview has been scheduled but before the participant accepts an internship offer in writing.
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If a participant has been given five interview opportunities but fails to secure an offer due to lack of work ethic, unresponsiveness, or insufficient interview preparation, ABI reserves the right to discontinue the program and issue a 25% refund.
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No Refund
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If the participant accepts an internship offer in writing.
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If the participant fails to adhere to the Code of Conduct or other program requirements. In such cases, a written warning will be issued for the first offense, with termination and no refund on the second offense.
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If the participant is unable to secure necessary work authorization (e.g., CPT, OPT) or a visa, or if immigration authorities deny the visa application.
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Refund Deductions
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All refunds are subject to a US$150 administrative fee and a 4.2% transaction fee, deducted from the total program fee.
Refund Processing
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Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receipt of a written withdrawal notice from the participant.
PROGRAM DEADLINES & TIMELINES
APPLICATION PROCESS/TIMELINE
APPLICATION FORM
Submit our application form, along with the requested documents.
INTERVIEW
Meet our Head of Admissions to discuss your internship preferences and address any questions about the program.
APPLICATION RESULT
Our committee will review your application and notify your acceptance.
PROGRAM DECISION
If accepted, please confirm your participation within 7 days.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
We offer internships year-round and have a rolling admissions process. For our local and virtual programs, applicants should apply no later than 3 months prior to their internship start date. For our international programs, applicants should apply no later than 6 months prior to their internship start date.
As an example, below are the application deadlines for Summer in Australia and the US:
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Summer in the US (May - June start dates): Dec 10
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Summer in Australia (Nov - Feb start dates): May 10
HEALTH & SAFETY
We recognize that our responsibility is to ensure that programs are designed and operated with the health and safety of participants as the highest priority.
Following are some of the ways which help to manage risk, and prepare participants ahead of the trip and respond if problems occur:
MEDICAL REVIEW
Each participant is required to complete a Student Health Questionnaire to be reviewed by a staff member and to disclose any health conditions which may impact their time abroad.
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
Participants will undergo a pre-departure orientation, as well as an on-site orientation to prepare them for any safety or health problems that may arise. Pre-departure orientation includes information about health and safety issues.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
We require that each participant has an emergency contact listed on their application whom we can notify in case of emergencies.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Participants carry international medical and accident insurance coverage. Insurance is included in each program. Participants are covered for accidents or illness while enrolled in the program. The insurance includes a 24/7 hotline for emergencies.
SUPPORT SERVICES
PRE-DEPARTURE
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Comprehensive city guide about the destination
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CV/Resume Review
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Pre-internship training
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Visa & Insurance assistance
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Housing assistance
ON-PROGRAM
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In-city orientation upon arrival to provide tips on transportation and safety rules
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On-site support
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Monthly check-ins with our Program Coordinators
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Participants update monthly an Internship Journal for ABI to keep track of their progress
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Any complaints are taken extremely seriously and mitigated as quickly as possible by our Program Coordinators
ALUMNI NETWORK
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Offboarding orientation at the end of their internship
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Feedback survey for program improvements
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Participants will still have access, even after their internship, to our exclusive alumni network where we share job opportunities and events