Resources for the Arts

Professional organizations can be a great way to connect with other professionals as well as find postings for positions in your field. Read more about connecting with professionals on our networking page.

Professional organizations, whether you join, participate in functions they sponsor, or explore their websites, can be valuable resources throughout your career development. Consider them for career exploration, networking, finding job postings, and for continued professional development.

In many ways, a professional society is an instant network: You’ll be with others who have the same general career interest. Additionally, you may be able to learn more about your field and potential employers from other members. Consider volunteering at or attending an organization’s events. They often offer special discounted rates for volunteers and students. Conferences are a great way to make connections and to learn about important trends and issues that impact your career field.

Professional organizations by field can also be accessed through What Can I Do With This Major.

Find professional organizations and employment resources applicable to different School of Education disciplines under each section. Links are researched by the Career Center, but the Career Center is not responsible for the content or postings.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Art

Professional Organizations

Employment and Internships

  • American Advertising Federation’s Madison chapter has a job bank that lists local advertising opportunities. They also sponsor internships and scholarships for students.
  • American Alliance of Museums showcases information and postings for employment opportunities related to museum professionals.
  • Art Institute of Chicago offers a variety of employment and internship opportunities at a highly renowned museum.
  • Art Jobs has open listings for jobs in a variety of artistic fields.
  • Big Shoes Midwest features marketing, advertising, design, and communications-related jobs and lists of professional organizations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.
  • Creativehotlist.com is a valuable resource for the creative job search and includes job postings.
  • HOW Magazine is a comprehensive online business center for graphic designers, including a job bank.
  • GYST features specific career advice and professional practices for artists.
  • Lands’ End offers internships and full-time employment in graphic design as well as other creative avenues.
  • National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. It is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts.
  • Quad/Graphics is an international printing and publishing company headquartered near Milwaukee, which offers Wisconsin-based and international opportunities.
  • Smithsonian Institute features employment, fellowships, and internships.
  • WECAN is an online posting and hiring system used by more than 500 Wisconsin K-12 schools and districts.

Dance

Professional Organizations

 Employment and Internships

  • The American Ballet Theatre, based in New York City, offers internships during fall, spring, or summer.
  • American Dance Festival offers internship positions during its summer performance season.
  • Dance Place provides their interns hands-on experience with the staff and faculty at Dance Place, a nationally recognized community arts organization.
  • Hubbard Street Dance Company provides interns interested in dance and arts management the experience of working behind the scenes in one of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies.
  • Jacob’s Pillow Dance offers internships for those interested in arts administration or production.
  • The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., offers internships for college students and graduates interested in arts management.

Theatre and Drama

Professional Organizations

Employment

  • Directors Guild of America offers a competitive training program to become Second Assistant Directors.
  • Playbill, a magazine for the theatre, features a searchable list of open positions for the theatre community.