18th Street Arts Center

Since the internship has started the two ladies have played major roles in developing and implementing a new International Archive System, gathering text, images and information for our 2011 catalogue, and in the preparation of our upcoming Getty sponsored Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. from 1945 – 1980 exhibition, Collaboration Labs: Southern California Artists and the Artist Space Movement. In addition, Emily and Connie have volunteered at 18th Street’s large-scale summer ArtNight event and have helped organize several additional artist-in-residence events.

1) Why did you apply for an internship with 18th Street through the Chinese University of Hong Kong?

Connie: When I first visited 18th Street’s website, I was impressed by the center’s practice of combining art making and provoking public dialogue. As a lover and practitioner of art, I’m eager to learn about different people and understand how a non-profit organization engages in the representation of art and influences the community’s culture.

Emily: I think practical training is as important as classroom training for a master’s program, especially for cultural management.  An internship at 18th Street is like a finale for my two years of study, as well as a rehearsal for my work in the field of arts and culture. 18th Street has a mixed pool of artists around the world that practice various art forms, which allows me to broaden my horizon and learn more about the art scene in United States and also apply what I have learned about visual art and performance art administration.  More importantly, its mission “to provoke public dialogue through contemporary art making” is impressive and interesting me to see how it is translated into action.

2) What are you studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong? What was your occupation in your country?

Connie: My major is Cultural Management. This MA program trains us to be the next cultural mediators who interpret, communicate and define cultures. It’s so amazing that our department would like to offer us various opportunities to work in different cultural industries. After I graduate from The Chinese University of Hong Kong this summer, I plan to return to Beijing to start my career in cultural management.

Emily: I am studying to receive a Master of Arts in Cultural Management degree at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and I will graduate after I complete this internship. While in school, I worked as an Assistant Manager at the Tourism Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

3) Have you visited the United Stated before? If yes, what part did you visit and how long did you stay?

Connie: No, this is my first time visiting the United Stated and it has been incredible so far!

Emily: Yes, I visited New Orleans for about two weeks while I was in school.

4) What do you hope to learn from your experience as an intern with an established non-profit arts organization like 18th Street Arts Center?

Connie: I want to learn the process of curating an exhibition, how a non-profit arts organization operates daily and the strategies and methods of working with different artists and cultural institutions.

Emily: As an intern, I have been given several opportunities to try various aspects of the work at 18th Street Arts Center.  Therefore, I hope to learn how to manage and operate a non-profit arts organization from working with my colleagues that work different positions.  Also I would like to observe the differences between arts organizations in the United States and those in Hong Kong

5) What kind of new places or things have you experienced in the United States that are not available in your country?

Connie: I appreciate the optimistic and creative spirit I’ve witnessed while being out here. The exhibitions are more creative and diverse here, like the graffiti show at MOCA, Los Angeles. The artists reconstructed the typical neighborhood where those graffiti styles were born and made traditional pieces more three-dimensional by transforming discrete objects into multipart installations. The audience was given the opportunity to  tune in to what the artists wanted to express (the aesthetic, political and philosophical concerns) and have an immersed experience.

Emily: I think the well-established and large-scale art museums and galleries in the United States are unique.  Also, the close contact and communication with artists that I have experienced here is special too.

6) What have you learned thus far about the art world or working in the non-profit sector?

Connie: I had no experience before I came to 18th Street. People are so nice and patient here. They encourage me to explore my skills and participate in different projects. I’ve learned the design and preparation steps of a big event like ArtNight, the archives management of exhibitions and artists in residence files, coordinated the information collection for 18th Street’s year-end catalogue and how to collaborate with other cultural institutions.

Emily: 1) Opportunities: I have learn that there are various kinds of grants or funds supporting the local and international artists that help them develop their arts career in the United States and overseas.  I also learned there are ample opportunities and room for art making to grow more naturally and in a healthy way. 2) Organization: I’ve learned that the lack of human resources may possibly be an area that the non-profit sector is suffering in.  That is why a clear organizational structure and division of work, as well as the support from volunteers and/or interns are important to non-profits.  I especially enjoy the relaxing work environment and friendly relationship between colleagues that working in a non-profit organization provides. 3) Communication: Lastly, I learned that communicating with artists is an art, and it is important to manage both the artists’ and organizations’ expectations.  There should be a balance between providing the artists’ the best available assistance while letting them know the organization’s own limitations.

7) When your internship is complete, what new information will you take back to your country about living in the U.S., working at 18th Street or working within the arts field?

Connie: Their view on life and values, their pursuit of freedom and democracy, and their passion for artistic expression and cultural transmission.

Emily: I think the understanding of the United States’ arts scene and the experience of working at a non-profit arts organization are both valuable. Also, the creative ways to connect arts to the community (e.g. ArtNight, Artist discussions, etc.) or even the different ways they make it a part of their daily life (e.g. yarn bombing) are what I would like to take back to Hong Kong.

Do you think 18th Street should continue its partnership with the Chinese University of Hong Kong?

Connie: Definitely YES!

Emily: Certainly! I think the partnership between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and 18th Street Arts Center provides valuable opportunities for the students and arts administrators to work together. This opportunity also benefits both organizations in terms of experience sharing and the exchange of ideas.  It is definitely a win-win situation for both sides.