ISLAND 2010 Internship Program
The Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design (ISLAND) is seeking one self-directed and contagiously curious intern for the summer of 2010. The ISLAND intern will work in and around the Village of Bellaire in North- west Lower Michigan (50 miles NE of Traverse City) for between 8 and 16 weeks from June to October.
A typical ISLAND intern is interested in plenty of the following: alternative building, animals, architecture, art, arts administration, construction, community organizing, computers, ecology, farming, film, food, gardening, homestead- ing, outdoor work, manual labor, music, philosophy, radical hospitality, radical domesticity, reading, renewable energy, resilience, small non-profit work and sustainable living.
ISLAND Interns are equally at home with a tool belt and a laptop. Interns have real responsibility on a mix of projects both challenging and prosaic. Expect a few fresh blisters, and expect that others will be counting on you, and not just to bring them coffee.
Intern Responsibilities
Interns will work closely with the ISLAND directors and staff, and will assist with all aspects of organizing and operating ISLAND’S programs. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Assisting with ISLAND’s four major projects for 2010: the Central Lake Community Kitchen, The Central Lake Garden After School Project, the Artist Residency Program and the CRAFT Program. Interns will be expected to take on just about any task associated with these programs, from vacuuming to facilitating a stakeholders’ meeting;
- Assisting our events coordinator Yvonne, with promotion, fundraising, volunteer coordination and solving a wide range of logistical problems related to ISLAND workshops and events;
- Managing ISLAND’s outreach projects. Affiliated work includes database management, media relations, produc- ing web content, updating social media sites and writing;
- Assisting with the ISLAND library;
- Assistance in organizing the weekend Board of Directors and Advisory Board retreats; å Presenting or teaching workshops;
- Attending any workshops or events held during the internship.
In addition, interns are expected to gain literacy in the related literature, art and philosophy that supports ISLAND’s mis- sion. The ISLAND internship will include unpaid reading, viewing and other study assignments.
ISLAND internship program 2010—SPECIFIC DETAILS
The earliest start date is June 1. The internship will last a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 16 weeks, ending no later than October 1. Interns are expected to work a minimum of 14 hours per week and a maximum of 21 hours per week. A typical work day is either a 3.5 hour half-day or a 7 hour full day, plus breaks and lunch.
Interns are paid $8.50 an hour. ISLAND has a strong slate of events during this internship time; interns are strongly encour- aged to attend as many of our events as possible. Time at events is not paid (but almost all events are free).
At least 70% of intern hours are to be worked as 6+ hour days in Bellaire/Antrim County; rustic overnight camping with no amenities is available on the ISLAND property if needed, but additional housing is not provided. The schedule is flexible week-to-week as long as hour minimums are met, a schedule is created 10 days in advance, and schedules are adhered to.
It is ISLAND’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified adults without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, or veteran status.
Intern requirements
- Age 18 or older;
- Minimum 3.2 GPA. Preference will be given to interns who have completed some college;
- Some knowledge of ISLAND’s core areas – sustainable living, art and design, including food and farming;
- Some previous work experience;
- Unfortunately, we are unable to support interns who are allergic to cats or dogs.
To Apply
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 10th, 2010.
- Complete the application;
- Include with your application:
- current resume
- cover letter
- three references, including at least one from an academic source.
- On a separate sheet of paper, answer any three of the following questions. The total essay length for all three answers must be 1500 words or less.
- What do you hope to gain from an internship with ISLAND?
- What book has had a powerful influence on how you live your life?
- What artist has profoundly affected how you see and think about the world?
- What do you think your community will look like in 50 years?
- What is the role of art in addressing environmental problems?
You can submit your application by email to brad@artmeetsearth.org or by mail to ISLAND, 5870 Cottage Drive, Bellaire, MI 49615. Electronic files must be .doc, .PDF, .RTF, .JPG or .TXT. No WordPerfect or Google Docs please. A handful of applications will be selected for a follow up interview.