Joni Van Bockel and a friend during her time in Duluth.

Hi, I’m Joni Van Bockel. In June I left the Twin Cities to work and intern for the wonderful folks at the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. This internship has been an extremely valuable learning opportunity for me both as a professional seeking a career in the arts and as a young artist.

I have learned so much about the grant-funding system of Minnesota and about the importance of the arts in rural communities. This process has been helpful for me as I start applying for other art grants and programs for my own career. An aspect of the position I was surprised I enjoyed was working with ARAC’s social media pages, its been really enjoyable to use these platforms as a way to connect with and support the artists we fund. I love being able to share articles and success stories from the artists and organizations that we have funded. These success stories reinforce the need for the arts councils in Minnesota, to support artists in their careers and creative endeavors.

This position has also given me the opportunity to build my graphic design portfolio as I’ve worked closely with the staff to design a variety of print materials used to create more awareness of the Council and the work they do.

Grant Process Infographic, An Example of the work I’ve done as an Intern for ARAC.

Working with staff at ARAC has been wonderful as well. The folks that work here, do so because they care about the arts community in the Arrowhead Region. They’re dedicated enough to make long trips throughout the region to reach out to the community there and attend different art events. They’ve been really encouraging and supportive for me as well, giving career advice and encouragement as I pursue a career in the arts.

If you are interested in arts administration, marketing, graphic design, or learning more about grants, you should consider applying for the Media Relations Internship with Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. The staff treats its interns really well and, unlike most internships in the arts, there is a budget to pay for your time! I anticipate all that I have learned during my time with Arrowhead Regional Arts Council will aide me in whatever position I take in the future.
To learn more about the position and how to apply click here.