APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP
Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts offers several different internship awards. As a way of simplifying the application process and increasing opportunities, we ask all applicants to complete and submit a common application form.
Once you follow the steps on this page and send in your application, you will then be automatically considered for all available internship awards, providing you meet the eligibility criteria.
Application deadlines
There are two deadlines to submit applications, depending on the timeframe of your proposed internship.
- November 15: For a Winter-Spring internship that will take place between January 1 and April 30.
- March 15: For a Summer-Fall internship that will take place between May 1 and December 31.
Overview
Discover how Concordia envisions and structures internships for students to get the most benefit out of their experiences.
Terminology around internships may vary across the university and host organizations, making it essential to establish shared definitions. An internship is a learning experience that bridges academic studies and professional practice. It provides students with the opportunity to gain work experience, develop skills, and reflect on their career goals in real-world contexts.
Application of academic knowledge: Students apply what they have learned in academic settings to professional contexts.
Skill development: Internships help build both technical and transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Career exploration: Students gain insight into various career paths and workplace environments.
Professional networking: Internships offer opportunities to connect with professionals in the field.
Increased employability: Practical experience strengthens students’ résumés and job prospects.
Confidence building: Taking on professional responsibilities helps students develop greater self-assurance.
Strengthened university-industry relationships: Faculty and programs benefit from closer collaboration with external partners
To ensure quality and consistency, we adhere to the following policies and frameworks:
- Eligibility requirements: Applicants typically maintain a minimum 3.30 GPA; however, this may vary by department. Also, students must complete relevant coursework (prerequisites), and secure full-time faculty approval for credit-bearing internships.
- Learning agreements: Mandatory contracts outlining roles, expectations, and evaluation criteria for students, supervisors, and host organizations.
- Assessment and reflection: Structured evaluations including mid-term check-ins, final presentations, and reflective journals.
- Risk management: Guidelines for safety, liability, and ethical considerations in off-campus placements. Concordia has developed an Internship Safety Assessment Process to identify potential hazards present in the workplace along with their associated mitigation methods. Learn more and contact Hugh Chang with questions.
- Equity and accessibility: Commitment to inclusive opportunities, with accommodations for students with disabilities. Learn more
Types of internships
The Faculty of Fine Arts supports a variety of internship models to accommodate different learning objectives and professional fields:
Internships for academic credit are integrated into degree requirements, allowing students to earn academic credit while gaining industry experience within a more formal experiential learning context.
Based on existing practices in the Faculty, courses that feature internships as the primary mode of assessment for the course typically consist of 140-200 hours depending on the host partner.
Non-credit internships are voluntary placements that provide professional exposure without formal academic assessment. These internships are typically flexible in structure to ensure they remain manageable alongside students’ academic commitments.
Global placements independently secured by students, offering cross-cultural arts experiences. These can be for credit or non-credit, depending on the department.
Contact your department
All applications should be submitted through the student’s home department. Students should contact their respective departments before applying for any questions.
How to prepare your internship application
Review the student internship guide and follow the steps in the checklist below to prepare your application.
- Confirm your eligibility for an award by following the links to specific internship awards:
Elsbeth McConnell Fine Arts Award
BMO Fine Arts Internship Program - Identify and confirm your faculty supervisor from your home department, who will co-sign the application.
- Contact your host organization to confirm their interest in the internship, to ensure that the organization is interested in hosting an intern, that they support your proposal, and that they have resources to host and supervise the internship.
- Obtain a copy of your current unofficial transcript. Include an email confirmation as proof in your application.
- Create a 1 to 2 page proposal describing your project, including the following information:
- Title of project and name of applicant
- Short abstract (100 words max) briefly stating your course of studies and background, the name of the host non-profit organization, and the intended project for the internship
- Projected timeframe, start and end dates, total number of hours and how they are spread out over time. If the project will take place over 2 different semesters please outline the calendar of work clearly
- Detailed description of the project outlining: Why are you interested in working with the host organization you have selected and how will you benefit from the experience, both academically and in relation to your career goals? Your proposal should clearly demonstrate an understanding of the needs and interests of the organization, and how the organization will benefit from the internship placement.
- Completely fill out the Internship Application form
- Prepare all application material into one pdf file.
- Submit your completed application by email to your respective department.
Internship guides
Review our internship guides to learn what to expect when you undertake an internship, how your host organization will support you, and how your faculty supervisor will evaluate your experience.
