Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Expands Bloomberg Arts Summer Internship Program with New Programming with Thomas Jefferson University, 72 Interns, 34 Worksites & Seven Internship Mentors

Paid Summer Internship Program Cultivates Next Generation of Arts & Culture Leaders Through Bloomberg Philanthropies Grant

July 31, 2023 (Philadelphia)—The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (“Cultural Alliance”) announces the expansion of the Bloomberg Arts Summer Internship program in 2023 to cultivate Philadelphia’s next generation of arts and culture leaders. Welcoming interns from high schools throughout the School District of Philadelphia, the expanded program, supported through the generosity of Bloomberg Philanthropies, helps to connect rising seniors with arts and culture organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Now in its ninth year, the 2023 program welcomes 72 interns, 32 worksites, and seven (7) mentors, while also introducing new programming with Thomas Jefferson University to increase wellness and mental health awareness by using art therapy to further internships skills and best workplace practices.

“Through their participation in the Bloomberg Arts Internship program, cultural organizations throughout the city are able to offer meaningful experiences that help Philadelphia's high school students reach their full potential in safe, creative work environments,” said Patricia Wilson Aden, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. “Philadelphia’s creative economy generates 37,590 jobs each year. It is internship programs like this that provide the tools and realworld experiences needed to cultivate our next generation of leaders. We thank our partners from Bloomberg Philanthropies who help us to bring this experience to so many students in our region, and hope that this program continues expand, reaching more students and worksites each year.” The Cultural Alliance’s Bloomberg Arts Summer Internship Program has been offered to rising high school students since 2015 to provide:

• post-secondary education readiness;
• self-advocacy to help reach professional goals;
• self-actualization to recognize full potential;
• and public speaking skills to help speak confidently to varied audiences.

The internship program offers valuable, paid internship opportunities to rising high school seniors. In 2022, the internship cohort welcomed 48 interns and 19 worksites. Through continued funding by Bloomberg Philanthropies, this summer’s 2023 internship program has increased to 72 interns and 32 worksites. Throughout the eight-week program, interns work 35 hours per week in a structured schedule, which includes:

• Monday | Professional development day to focused on tools including public speaking needed in general work settings
• Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday | Internship workdays at worksites
• Friday | Offsite learning and mentor days to offer interns the chance to meet with one of seven (7) mentors to offer guidance throughout the program

The Cultural Alliance partners with Hello Arts, First Person Arts, Mighty Writers and Philadelphia Education Fund to offer its professional development curriculum.

New to the 2023 Internship is the addition of programming with Thomas Jefferson University. Students from the University’s art therapy concentration within the community and trauma counseling master’s program will meet with interns throughout the summer to promote personal wellness among the cohort.

“Working with Philadelphia high school students to provide psychoeducation around mental health and wellness is a great opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Rachel Brandoff, assistant professor and coordinator of the art therapy concentration. “Additionally, this is very much in line with our mission as a community-centered trauma counseling program. Art therapy students know that embracing the creative process is a powerful tool for coping with life stressors, and they are excited to share this with local youth.”

As an expanded program in 2023, the Cultural Alliance is pleased to welcome an additional 16 host sites, now totaling 32 Arts and Culture Partners as Summer internship workplaces for its 72 interns this summer. Partners include:

• 5 Shorts Project/ Sunkissed Media Project
• Academy of Natural Sciences
• After-School All-Stars
• Arden Theatre Company
• Asian Arts Initiative
• Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
• Christ Church Preservation Trust
• Crown Publications
• Esperanza Art Center
• Fam Frequency Productions
• Fleisher Art Memorial
• Glen Foerd
• Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
• InLiquid
• InterAct Theatre
• Johnson House Historic Site
• Legacy Center Archives, Drexel University College of Medicine
• Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
• Penn Museum
• Performance Garage
• Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus
• Rock to the Future
• SHARP Dance Company
• Taller Puertorriqueño
• Team Sunshine
• The Fabric Workshop and Museum
• The Rock School for Dance
• The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc.
• Theatre Exile
• Tiny WPA
• Yes! And... Collaborative Arts
• Your Agency, Inc.

The Cultural Alliance’s Bloomberg Arts Summer Internship Program is offered now through August 18, 2023. For more information about the Cultural Alliance’s 2023 Bloomberg Summer Internship Program, please visit: https://www.philaculture.org/bloomberg-arts-internship. Follow and engage in the continued conversation with Cultural Alliance through its social media channels at @philaculture on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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About Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance:

Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is the region’s leading arts and cultural advocacy, research, and marketing organization. Our mission is to “lead, strengthen and amplify the voices of a cultural community that ignites creativity, inspires people and is essential for a healthy region.” Our membership includes more than 450 organizations ranging from museums and dance companies to community art centers, historic sites, music ensembles and zoos. For more information on the Cultural Alliance, please visit philaculture.org.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed US$ 1.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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