VPA INTERNSHIPS! 

The arts and culture sector can have a larger impact on your city’s economy (in terms of GDP) than other industries like tourism and transportation — National League of Great Cities

OKCPS Visual & Performing Arts Internship Program

Overview

• Program Requirements

  • 11th and 12th grade OKCPS VPA students can receive VPA internship credit for one semester or for a full year. 

  • Students can leave up to 2 hours a school day for internship/work study and/or

  • Students can complete the internship using a flexible schedule. 

    • Ex: working on a weekend or weeknight, working on a holiday, meeting or working virtually, etc. 

• Canvas Course & Portfolio Requirements

  • Internship students will complete assignments and portfolio tasks in the VPA Internship Canvas Course as well as in a physical portfolio which will be a major part of their Internship grades and completion. 

  • Assignments may be given by the Internship teacher as well as by the Internship Provider. 

  • The VPA Internship course must be taught or co-taught by a VPA teacher. 

• VPA Internal Internships

  • These internships do not require the students to leave OKCPS. See details below.  

• VPA External Internships

  • These internships require a partnership between OKCPS and an internship provider. Providers are first come, first served.

  • See details below. 

VPA Internal Internships

*VPA Pedagogy Programs - All VPA teachers at the HS level could offer a Pedagogy Class that is dual enrolled with Internship. Or a dual enrollment of Internship with whatever upper level course they offer now. The students, when possible, would teach not only other high school students but also middle school feeder pattern students. All Pedagogy interns would be expected to complete a portfolio and meet regularly for review and guidance. Interns would also be introduced to college and university planning and assistance. See some examples below:

• Band/Orch/Choir/Dance - The class would be similar to a teaching techniques class at the university level. They will perform peer instruction for others in the class that are younger or new to their art form. The interns would also be required to travel and teach at their feeder middle school(s) a few times throughout the internship. These students will also assist with any site or district event or project that takes place. 

• Visual Art - Pedagogy students would be responsible to help with the art studio duties, work as mentors and peer tutors to other students, and provide assistance across the department. They would help maintain and conserve material use, and learn how to request materials that need attention. They will also assist and lead portions of any up and coming mural projects and any outdoor or across the district project that takes place. 

  • We also have a unique opportunity for visual art interns to assist at the new OESS STEP site for 18-21 year olds learning digital art forms such as designing and printing t-shirts, cups, etc. 

  • Contact: Kiley Smith - Coordinator STEP Academy.  

*Drama/Theatre/Film Technical Programs - These technical programs are one of the best ways to train the students and prepare them for the technical theatre workforce, theatre managing, or otherwise. The DTF teachers at the HS level could offer a Theatre Management, Technical Theatre, Stagecraft, or Film & Video Production III or IV classes while also being dual enrolled with Internship. 

• Students would work as site auditorium assistants or work as site social media or film project managers, but also train in micro credentialed workshops. 

• For technical theatre and film, the exams listed below may be integrated in the internship:

  • BACKstage Exam | United States Institute for Theatre Technology (usitt.org)

  • eSET | United States Institute for Theatre Technology (usitt.org)

  • OSHA 10-Hour Training Courses & Online Certificates (360training.com)

VPA External Internships

University of Oklahoma

• Learn about the music pathways available. What does a music degree mean and what can you do with it?

• Would meet with an education GA to discuss topics, review assignments, etc. 

• Opportunities to work with the New Horizons adult band in Norman. 

Oklahoma City University 

• Learn about the music pathways available. What does a music degree mean and what can you do with it?

• Would work with current undergrads and studio professors/industry professionals. 

• Examples of work opportunities include but are not limited to the OKC Philharmonic staff, Lyric Theater staff, the El Sistema groups at OKC First Presbyterian Church, and much more! 

University of Central Oklahoma

• Learn about the music and dance education pathways available.

• Would work with current undergrads and the education department. 

• Examples of work opportunities include but are not limited to the UCO Jazz Lab staff, the El Sistema neurotypical and neurodiverse vocal group in Edmond, and so much more!

UCO-ACM

• Learn about the music and sound engineering pathways available.

• Would work with current students and the school staff.

• Opportunities to work live venue events and studio recordings. 

Artspace at Untitled - 

• Visual arts, non profit leadership, visual art education

• Internships vary within the organization.

OK Contemporary - 

• Visual arts, non profit leadership, visual art education, museum curation

• Will work with us to determine how many they can take a semester at a time. 

• Internships vary within the organization.

Factory Obscura - 

• Visual arts, non profit leadership, visual art education, program management

OKCMOA -  

• Visual arts, non profit leadership, visual art education, program management, film, and other departments

OKC Philharmonic - 

• Will work with the Society of Strings adult learners ensemble and/or in the non profit office setting. Internships vary. 

OKC Ballet - 

• Professional ballet company, non-profit organization, class accompanist

Oklahoma Opry -  

• Music Education, Sound Engineering, Non Profit Leadership

Larsen Music -

• Instrument Repair Technician, Piano Technician/Tuner, Luthier

The Tuneful Tech -

• Instrument Repair Technician, Luthier

House of Clay - 

• In house clay manufacturer, paint, glazes 

Perpetual Motion Dance - 

• Professional dance company, non-profit organization, physical therapy

Painted Sky Opera - 

• Professional opera company, non-profit organization, music education

Lyric Theatre - 

• Professional acting and musical theatre company, non-profit organization, music education

Area Film & Video Studios - For advanced Film & Video Production III and IV students in grades 11 or 12 only. 

Area Live Theatres - Theater Technical students could work live productions and events such as Lyric Theatre, the Civic Center, etc. 

Live Venue Sound Engineering - UCO Jazz Lab and ACM, Oklahoma Opry, Toucan Audio, CNS, Encore, Miller, Cory’s Audio