Visual Arts Department Intern

TITLE: Visual Arts Department Intern (Temporary)

DEPARTMENT: Visual Arts

REPORTS TO: Visual Arts Program Manager and Director 

SALARY: $18.47 hourly

FLSA: Non-Exempt

HOURS: 40 hours per week/10 weeks (with some flexibility)

START DATE: 6/15/2026

END DATE: TBD - 400 hours total must completed by March 1, 2027

This is a grant-funded, short-term position   

Heart of Los Angeles (Heart of LA) provides underserved youth with free, exceptional programs in academics, arts, and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities.

Our Core Values are: Respect, Responsibility, Support, Positive Communication and Inclusion

This is an exciting opportunity to gain some experience in arts education, arts administration, and community-centered arts practices. At Heart of Los Angeles, we believe that art is a powerful agent of social change, and we foster the idea that our art studio is a community where everyone supports each other and embraces diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion.

POSITION SUMMARY

Heart of LA's Visual Arts Intern position is a 400-hour-long internship opportunity to (1) mentor HOLA youth in the arts, (2) create and share artwork or ideas about community arts practice, (3) assist Heart of LA's staff in workshops and special projects, and (4) be an active presence in the Heart of LA Art Studio. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide exceptional art mentorship to Heart of LA youth, ages 6-19
• Assist Teaching Artists during classes
• Support the creation of artwork for Heart of LA's Exhibitions and Special Projects
• Participate in organizational events, such as exhibitions, fundraisers, field trips, artist talks, and workshops
• Foster a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for Heart of LA's youth
• Contribute to the cleanliness and organization of the Heart of LA Art Studios
• Provide support to the Visual Arts Director and Coordinator
• Help with annual student evaluations
• Assist Summer Arts Programs
• Collaborate with Artists in Residence and public art activations 
• Work collaboratively with all of Heart of LA Visual Arts staff
• Attend relevant staff meetings, special events, and trainings
• Perform other departmental duties as assigned
• Ability to be a strong role model for youth during all working hours

QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduates (four-year or community college)
• Recent graduates may apply as long as they graduated between May 1 – December 1, 2026
• Students who have previously participated in the program are not eligible to participate a second time.
• Must attend school in Los Angeles  or be a Los Angeles resident 
• Students who are invited to participate in the program will be asked to provide verification of eligibility via college transcripts, driver’s license, and other documents to show enrollment status and/or LA County residence.
• Must pass CA DOJ background check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.  While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The building environment may not provide air conditioning and heat in all areas.  Outdoor work is expected in some cases.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.  The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

As an equal opportunity employer, HOLA values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace.  We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.  We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Salary : $18