Designing Creative Futures Internship Program 2023

• Ages 18+ 
• Reside in the Counties of San Diego, Los Angeles or the Bay Area (based on specified program)
• Formerly incarcerated, released within the past three years
• Interest in the arts* 
• Ability to commit to four month internship period
• Documented proof of COVID-19 vaccination

* Participation in Arts in Corrections program preferred

This program is made possible through grants from the Our Town and Locals programs of the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the County of San Diego, the Conrad Prebys Foundation and the Art For Justice Fund, a sponsored project of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

LOS ANGELES:

ONLINE APPLICATION

Designing Creative Futures is a paid job training internship program initiated by California Lawyers for the Arts for formerly incarcerated individuals who wish to pursue careers in the arts. This four month program offers the unique opportunity for returning residents to work closely with arts organizations through paid, part-time internships. Participants will learn a variety of skills associated with careers in the arts and gain mentorship from people who are leaders in their respective fields. Previous worksites have included, 18th Street Arts Center, the Actors’ Gang, InsideOut Writers, Jail Guitar Doors, Los Angeles Contemporary Archive, the Robey Theatre Company, Self Help Graphics, Southern California Library, Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural and Bookstore.

SAN DIEGO:

ONLINE APPLICATION

Designing Creative Futures is a paid job-training internship program initiated by California Lawyers for the Arts for formerly incarcerated San Diego County residents who wish to pursue careers in the arts. This four month program offers the unique opportunity for returning residents to work closely with leading San Diego arts organizations through paid, part-time internships. Participants will learn a variety of skills associated with careers in the arts and gain mentorship from people who are leaders in their respective fields. Previous worksites have included the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, New Village Arts, The Old Globe Theatre and Playwrights Project. Participants will be placed with a collaborating organization based on the participants’ interests and the organizations’ needs.

Over the span of four months, participants will have the opportunity to engage and gain mentorship from the organization’s staff in a range of careers — from teaching artists to technical roles and nonprofit arts administration. Throughout the internship period, participants will receive support and guidance from an education/career counselor to assist in securing full-time, permanent employment and/or additional educational opportunities. Additionally, participants will have access to monthly job readiness, personal and professional development, communication and conflict resolution training provided by California Lawyers for the Arts.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing, rolling basis.

Printable applications can be returned via email to: [email protected]

For more information, please click here