John's Story: Virtual Creative Internship
This is John!
He graduated from Earlham College in 2023. During his studies, he aimed to gain more experience and decided to join the ArtBound Initiative program. After going through the coaching process, he was offered a virtual internship at IkonoTV, a unique VOD art streaming platform based in Berlin.
What would a normal day be like during your Virtual Creative Internship?
In my first project during my virtual creative internship, I focused on connecting my internship supervisor, Elizabeth, and her filming crew with direct Holocaust survivors to create VR footage for educational purposes. This involved reaching out to Speaker Bureaus, researching Holocaust museums, and coordinating with the Jewish Department at Earlham. Eventually, I connected Elizabeth M. with Elizabeth Edelstein, Vice President for Education at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC.
In my second initiative, I began researching news related to Climate Change with the goal of creating a 90-second video to inspire civic action. I delved into the topic - highlighting the alarming increase in Earth's temperature and the potentially disastrous consequences for humanity.
Some of IkonoTV's projects
What part of your internship experience did you enjoy the most?
The most rewarding aspect was definitely my conversations with my internship supervisor Elizabeth. We delved into the intersection of history, politics, and the role of art within this complexity. Our discussions often revolved around her concern regarding the lack of media literacy and comprehension among today's youth when it comes to global events that shape the future, from climate change to wars and other worldwide issues that require increased youth participation and voices.
Elizabeth frequently challenged me to think like an artist. What I mean is that artists, with their creativity, can capture someone's attention and convey a message in mere seconds, or they can embed a deeper and more insightful theme. Their aim is to make their work resonate meaningfully, eliciting emotional reactions and prompting introspection about our place in the world in response to their message. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the sources of inspiration that drive Elizabeth, as her work is dedicated to raising awareness about the world through art, with the aim of creating a transformative impact.
Some of IkonoTV's projects
What did ArtBound Initiative help you with the most?
I would say that ArtBound has provided me with a deeper insight into the creative world and a firsthand understanding of the industry. I also greatly appreciated the patience, grace, and extended hand of the ABI staff whenever I needed support or had inquiries and concerns. ArtBound opened my eyes to the possibilities of using what I've learned in this program as a launching pad to reach my full potential. Their features of alumni and other creatives on various social media platforms have been particularly inspiring.
I am grateful to have pursued and experienced this opportunity. From the bottom of my heart, all I have is eternal gratitude for all of the endowed wisdom, experience, and knowledge that comes from this wonderful organization.
John
Virtual Creative Internship | IkonoTV
Read more about ArtBound Initiative virtual internships here.
ArtBound Initiative is a fee-based global internship program for creatives. We prepare students for their careers through an online coaching curriculum and by helping them secure an internship in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Berlin, Melbourne, and Sydney. With an expansive network of leading creative companies, our program provides access to creative industries that are notoriously insular.
Questions? Contact us at info@artboundinitiative.com