McGroarty Arts Center received a grant from the Annenberg Foundation to hire low income high school students to assist with the administration of painting, drawing, ceramics, theatre, and poetry classes for children ages 5-12. The interns participate in the class’ culminating project, either an art gallery exhibition or public performance and help with basic class duties such as setting up, refilling supplies, keeping track of the supply inventory, taking attendance, and other tasks as needed. All interns receive college and job coaching from Arts Center staff as part of the internship.

Objectives of the program are to involve interns in their community, build leadership, critical thinking, decision-making and professional skills, and to introduce them to the large variety of scholastic paths in higher education and creative employment opportunities in the arts. No previous experience in the arts is necessary, although the intern should have an interest in visual or performing arts, arts education, arts administration, history, public art, museum studies, and/or education.