Education and art go hand in hand, helping us learn and express our creativity in amazing ways. As we work every day to provide educational opportunities to students in our Tri-County area, we also look for opportunities to invest in education in other ways.
That’s why each summer, I look forward to bringing in a new cohort of college students as interns. This year, we have the pleasure of hosting 14 talented interns as part of our 2024 Valade Internship Cohort and the Applebaum Family Philanthropy Internship Program, each bringing their unique skills and passion to various departments within our museum.
These internships are not just about learning; they are fully paid positions, which enable our interns to focus entirely on their professional and personal growth. And all interns this year are from the Tri-County area, ensuring that this program gives back to the people and places that make the DIA strong.
Internship positions are spread across several key departments at the DIA, including Volunteer Services, the Museum Shop, Donor Relations, Development Events, Accounting, European Art Curatorial, the Director's Office, Registration, Modern & Contemporary Art Curatorial, and Education Programs. Each intern works in a department that aligns with their academic background and career aspirations, providing them with hands-on experience and valuable insights into museum operations.
We recently asked our interns to describe their experiences this summer in one word. They answered:
“Immersive”
“Inspiring”
“Engaging”
“Amazing!”
It's a pleasure and a benefit to have these up-and-coming professionals contribute to our culture and business this summer.
At the DIA, we are deeply committed to fostering the next generation of museum professionals. Through our comprehensive internship programs, we aim to provide a nurturing and educational environment where interns can develop their skills, gain practical experience, and explore various career paths within the museum field. Our dedication to teaching and mentoring ensures that each intern leaves with a greater understanding of the art world and the vital role museums play in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
2024 Valade Undergraduate Interns
Shardé Ford is a rising senior at Oakland University studying Public Relations and Strategic Communication! She works on campus as a Digital Marketing Ambassador for the Annual Giving Department and co-founded the Women's Networking Program at OU. She is excited to learn about all the different programs, opportunities, and history the DIA has brought to her hometown! Art is life. Shardé is interning in the Volunteer Services department this summer.
Momo Taffe is attending Wayne State University for Fine Arts and Illustration. She has spent five years in retail and has a deep affinity and appreciation for Art and Merchandising. Through her demonstrated passion and experience, Momo will be a wonderful support to all visual projects in the Shop. Momo is excited to garner more behind the scenes retail knowledge through her Visual Merchandising internship at the DIA's Museum Shop. She is interning with the Museum Shop team for the summer.
Laine Lord is a student of Art History & Visual Culture and French at Michigan State University. Her experience includes curatorial intern roles at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, and as an undergraduate research assistant at the Archive of Malian Photography in East Lansing. Laine is the Donor Relations intern for the summer of 2024. While at the DIA, Laine is excited to learn about Development work and see how the museum creates and maintains relationships with donors.
Jahnavi Barla is studying Global Supply Chain Management and Business Management at Wayne State University. She previously worked as a building manager for the Wayne State University Student Center. She is excited to learn more about the internal workings of the DIA and how everything fits together. Jahnavi is interning in Development Events Department.
Blake Brown is an Accounting and Finance student at Central Michigan University. His previous work experience was last summer where he was a Tax Intern at Grant Thornton LLP. Blake is interning in the accounting department this summer. Through this internship, he is excited to learn more about the DIA and the museum's accounting process.
Sophie Shepps is a rising senior studying Business and Art History with a minor in Museum Studies at the University of Michigan. Previously a part of the curatorial team at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) and a gallery assistant at STAMPS Gallery, Sophie is excited to continue growing her curatorial skills and experience. She looks forward to learning more about the DIA’s collection and provenance research this summer. Sophie will be interning with the European Art Curatorial Department.
Carissa Hodges is a student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is majoring in museum studies, art history, and ceramics. Carissa is interning with the Director's Office. During her time here she is excited to learn more about community engagement within museums as well as art conservation!
Anna Gaudreau is a double major in Diplomacy & Global Politics and Art & Architecture History at Miami University (OH). At Miami, Anna is conducting research surrounding provenance practices and the repatriation of ancient Egyptian art. While at the DIA Anna is excited to learn more about the logistics behind museum collections. Anna will be interning in the Registration department.
Marco Cardamone is a senior at Wayne State University and Dean’s List Scholar majoring in History with a minor in Law. He is interning in the Modern & Contemporary Art Curatorial Department.
Maddie Price is studying Secondary Education at Central Michigan University. She is the President of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) CMU Affiliate. She's excited to explore and analyze the connections between art found at the DIA and classroom curriculum. Maddie will be interning in the Education Programs Department.
Applebaum Fellow
Jade Moore is a rising senior at Wayne State University, double majoring in business management and dance. While at WSU she has had a successful dance experience and contributed to various marketing projects involving the dance community and cultural organizations. She's had a marketing internship with Release Detroit, a dance and entertainment hub. Jade’s business and dance education has assisted her in many professional pursuits outside of school. She teaches at various dance studios in the Metro Detroit Area. She is a proud small business owner of Smooth Collection, offering various skin and beauty care products. Jade strives to learn and develop her skills, which is why she is excited about the opportunity to intern the Marketing & Communications department.
Our DIA Valade Internship Program interns and our distinguished Applebaum Fellows embody the future of the museum field. Their contributions this summer will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the DIA, and we are honored to be a part of their professional journeys.
