Bloomberg Arts Internship Spotlight: Mark

This interview was conducted and photographed by fellow Bloomberg Arts Intern Zahraa W. for the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

What worksite were you paired with and what is the project that you are working on? 

I was paired with Glen Foerd and it is awesome up here. I have been here before the program so when I saw it on the list of worksites I knew that was where I wanted to work. My project for the summer is to complete a virtual accessibility tour of our building. While the first level of the house is accessible by a wheelchair or walker, the basement and the upper levels are not. 

What are some things that you learned while working on the project? 

Throughout working on the project, I’ve learned a lot about the house itself. I have also learned a lot of skills for filmmaking and business. I have gotten to explore the creative process behind filmmaking which has been my favorite part!

What were your expectations coming into this program? 

I mean, I had never heard of the program before, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. All I expected was a paid program that revolved around art. I definitely didn’t expect it to be as big as it is, which I’m glad it was. 

Were your expectations of the program met?

My expectations were definitely exceeded. I’m glad that the program is way more involved than I expected. I get paid to learn valuable things!

What did you most enjoy about the program? Or you can share a memorable memory from the program that you've had thus far!

My favorite part so far has probably been meeting new people and making new friends. I would have never met these genuine friends if it were not for the program. One memory that I have is of me and my friends going out to Chinatown outside of the program. 

How has the internship prepared you for your decision after high school? 

If anything, it’s made me more knowledgeable like the classes we take on Mondays like Post-Secondary Readiness. It’s definitely preparing me for the world after high school. I have gotten a lot of input from other people that I may not have gotten otherwise. For example, there are various careers that I never even knew existed if it weren’t for my worksite and even the cultural immersions that we do on Fridays. If nothing else, I know more now. 

Pictured: a fellow employee looking at some of the diverse artwork at Glen Foerd. 

What is your favorite art form? Did this play a role or contribute to your experience in the program? 

Filmmaking is my favorite art form and it definitely influenced my experience in the program. Going into the job fair, I knew that I wanted to do something in film so I’m excited that I got placed with this worksite as that’s what I’m doing here. 

What is one thing you learned about the art world or art industry throughout the program? 

I would say that one thing I learned is that it’s a small world or more of a community than a world. Like you could meet someone and then a while later you could be doing something completely unrelated and you’ll see that same face. It’s a very small world for networking. 

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.