Prospects.ac.uk

Creative internships

AuthorJemma Smith, senior editor
Posted on

Ready to turn your creativity into a career? Creative internships give you the chance to learn from industry professionals, gain hands-on experience and build vital connections

What are creative internships?

Creative internships are short-term work experience placements, typically undertaken by university students, recent graduates and early career professionals who want to learn more about, and gain skills in, a particular creative field.

'They provide real-life experience and give you first-hand insight into an organisation and role,' explain Elli Whitefoot, assistant careers, employability and enterprise manager, and Sylvia Jen, careers and enterprise information technologist, at Leeds Arts University.

'They allow you to build connections and develop your portfolio, which are crucial for success in the creative industries. Internships of this nature also help you understand what specific roles involve, so you can make informed decisions about future career choices.'

Mel Rodrigues, CEO of Creative Access, adds 'Just as importantly, you begin building a network of professionals who can champion you, advise you, and open doors throughout your career. Maintaining professional relationships is crucial in this industry, and internships help you start building those connections early on.'

Learn more about internships in general.

How long do they last?

This really depends on the sector, organisation and type of internship - placements can range anywhere from a month to a year. That's a pretty broad range, so to break it down:

  • Internships of 4-12 weeks are usually completed by current students during academic holidays such as the summer or Christmas break.
  • 6-12 month programmes are usually undertaken by graduates straight after graduation or those at the start of their career before they commit to a full-time, permanent role.

What types of creative internships are on offer?

Opportunities span a range of sectors, including:

  • advertising
  • art
  • craft
  • design
  • fashion
  • games
  • music
  • publishing
  • TV and film
  • visual and performing arts.

You could intern at:

  • an animation studio
  • advertising or design agency
  • a fashion house
  • gallery
  • museum
  • theatre
  • TV studio.

Gain an overview of the UKs creative arts sector.

Creative roles often merge with other industries so take a look at:

Art and design internships

To find art or design-related work experience, look to organisations like:

  • Christies - based in London, they offer a six-month internship programme for those with a genuine interest in the art world.
  • Disney - runs a 12-month graphic design and illustration internship in their London office.
  • HLabs - provides internships in graphic design and illustration, as well as other fields such as marketing, production and project management.
  • Studio Seventeen - this Nottingham-based design agency offers a graphic design internship, which could last from a week to a couple of months.
  • The Animation Guys - provides internship placements in motion graphic animation and as a junior 3D artist.
  • United in Design - offers a range of year-long and six-month internships.

If you want to get into the design industry, consider taking part in design competitions. For example, the New Blood Awards from Design and Art Direction (D&AD) are open to those aged 18 or over and enrolled on a relevant higher education course, as well as recent graduates.

If you're looking to break into the UK gaming industry Lucid provides creative internships to university students and graduates.

Fashion internships

Competition for fashion design internships in the UK is fierce, probably because they're so hard to find. Experience in fashion retail is valuable, as you can learn about the various styles looks and brands customers prefer. Online retailer ASOS takes on interns in their commercial and customer department, while H&M also offers a fashion design summer internship. However, you'll need to conduct some research to unearth further opportunities. Industry-specific job boards advertise vacancies, so look to:

Attending industry exhibitions and events, such as The Good Clothes Show, Graduate Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and student shows, is a great way to gain experience and make contacts.

Discover 5 ways to get into fashion design.

Museum internships

For conservation experience or experience in museum settings, check out:

  • Icon - the internship programme offers emerging conservation professionals the chance to develop their careers and gain practical experience.
  • Royal Museums Greenwich - provides students with conservation placements.
  • Tate - their internship opens up opportunities for working in the arts sector to people from all backgrounds.
  • University of Cambridge Museums and Botanic Gardens - runs temporary, fixed-term internships designed to provide interns with experience to prepare them for a permanent job within the museum industry.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) - offers paid opportunities that provide hands-on museum experience.

Find out how to get into museum conservation.

Music internships

If you'd like to break into the music industry, explore the opportunities offered by:

  • Larp - runs internships for aspiring composers, music producers and mix engineers.
  • London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) - provides a number of intern and work experience opportunities to young composers and orchestral musicians, including the LPO Conducting Fellowship, Foyle Future Firsts and the LPO Young Composers Programme.
  • Sony Music - offers year-long, full-time internships based in London, in areas such as digital, promotions, visual creative and artist relations. Sony also runs the A&R Academy, where you will experience a masterclass in discovering and developing new and existing artists.
  • Spotify - runs the Global Summer Internship Programme across business, product and technical teams.
  • Young - the Young Artists Internship supports engaged fans of music and culture on their journey to learning more about the music industry. No previous experience is required for this full-time position based in London.

Learn more about Careers in music.

Theatre internships

If you'd love to build a career in the theatre sector, check out the following work experience opportunities:

  • Masterclass - offers paid opportunities to work alongside theatre professionals on West End and commercial productions in costume, wigs, hair and make-up, lighting or stage management.
  • Saltmine Theatre Company - the faith-based touring theatre company offers a limited number of internships each year to provide an insight into the world of theatre. You'll work alongside actors, writers and directors.
  • The Old Vic - provides paid placements for 18-30 year olds in front-of-house roles, as well as backstage functions including costume, set and staging and stage management.
  • The Pleasance Theatre Trust - offers internships of up to two weeks in teams such as front of house, box office and technical.

TV and Film internships

Our media and internet job sector houses information on jobs in the film industry and how to get media work experience, but here’s a brief look at TV and film internship opportunities.

  • Channel 4 - runs a range of opportunities from the 12-month Production Training Scheme to week-long work experience placements.
  • ITV - taking place virtually over a 6-12 month period, ITV, and the TV companies that produce the broadcaster's entertainment and documentary programmes, provide schemes made up of masterclasses, CV clinics and mentor support. You'll also get the opportunity to apply for a week's in-person experience.
  • The BBC - offers short, paid placements in teams such as BBC Sport, Radio 1, The Proms, World Service and BBC Creative. These experiences could open doors to other roles within broadcasting.

How competitive are internships in the creative arts and design sector?

You've probably heard the phrase 'getting your foot in the door' in relation to creative jobs but that's easier said than done. The demand for internship opportunities in the creative industries far outstrips supply.

'Formal internships and placements at large organisations are very competitive,' say Elli and Sylvia. 'While you shouldn't be discouraged from applying, it's wise to explore smaller companies that may offer more personalised training and development. These experiences can be equally valuable.'

If you find a formal internship programme you'd like to apply for make sure you do so as early as possible. If you're struggling to find opportunities that suit your career goals, you could try to create your own by contacting employers speculatively. Learn more about speculative applications and how to ask employers for work experience.

The creative industries have built up a bit of a reputation for a lack of diversity - traditionally for people who are Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group, or for those from a lower socio-economic background, creative opportunities have been sparse and competition for jobs and internships particularly tough.

However, more recently, work is being done to increase diversity in the sector, break down barriers to entering creative professions and eradicate exploitative internship practices. For example, Creative Access is the leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries, supporting people from underrepresented groups (diversity, ethnicity, socioeconomic background) into creative careers.

'Creative Access exists to help ensure opportunities are communicated widely, and that candidates have all the information they need to build a strong application,' says Mel. 'Historically, many creative internship opportunities were circulated through informal networks, and were less visible to those without existing industry connections. We work with employer partners to widen the doors to the industry, ensuring that talent from all backgrounds has a fair chance to develop and thrive. Diversity and representation matter, and by working closely with inclusive employers, we can create pathways that reflect the rich range of perspectives the creative industries need.'

Creative Mentor Network also focuses on supporting 16-25 year olds from lower-income backgrounds to develop careers within the creative sector through:

  • education
  • mentoring
  • workshops.

What are the benefits of completing a creative internship?

  • Real-world experience - as an intern you'll gain first-hand experience of industry practices, tools and workflows, as well as curate an understanding of how creative projects are moved from concept to execution in a professional setting. This experience will give you excellent examples to use in future job interviews.
  • Skill enhancement - employers often cite a lack of relevant skills, such as specialist technical knowledge, IT skills, creative thinking and problem solving, as the reason they struggle to fill creative vacancies. Internships are a great way for you to build practical and subject-specific skills and knowledge, as well as soft, transferable skills such as collaboration, communication, time management and commercial awareness.
  • Portfolio development - by working on real projects you'll have tangible work samples to add to your creative portfolio, particularly important if you want to break into an art or design career. Read up on putting together a creative portfolio.
  • Networking opportunities - you know what they say, 'it's not what you know, but who you know' and in the creative sectors connections really pay off. Internships give you an excellent chance to network within your industry and the contacts you make could lead to future job offers, mentoring or freelance opportunities.
  • Increased employability - as discussed, finding internship programmes in the creative industries isn't always easy. So if you manage to get yourself onto a scheme, whether it's a formal opportunity or something you've set up yourself by applying speculatively, it could give you a competitive edge over other candidates. It also demonstrates to employers your tenacity, passion and proactive nature - all highly desirable attributes to recruiters.
  • Confidence boost - in an industry where knockbacks and rejections can feel like a personal slight against your creativity, internships are the perfect way to hone your craft, receive feedback and boost confidence in your abilities before embarking on the job hunt.

What do creative internships involve?

Creative internships are designed to expose interns to the full creative process while supporting organisations and teams with practical tasks. They're hands-on, project-driven, and usually combine learning, collaboration, and practical production work.

As a creative intern you'll likely be involved in:

  • administrative or organisational support
  • building a portfolio
  • contributing new ideas during brainstorming or project-development sessions
  • handling real client or internal projects (with supervision)
  • learning industry software, tools, and workflows
  • supporting senior creatives such as designers, writers, editors, and directors.

'Internships should include mentorship, training, or space to learn and develop,' add Elli and Sylvia. 'They should foster professionalism and help you build on your skills and experiences. Importantly, they should offer meaningful, hands-on work rather than just menial tasks like making the tea.'

Tasks and duties will vary depending on your employer and the type and length of your internship.

As a graphic design intern you might:

  • create infographics or social media posts
  • design brochures, posters or newsletters
  • develop mood board or style guides
  • edit assets using Photoshop, Illustrator or Figma.

Animation or game artists may:

  • collate reference materials or style inspiration
  • construct models (under supervision)
  • create character sketches or environment concepts
  • test games and report bugs.

Editorial or publishing interns will likely:

  • draft articles, blog posts, social media posts
  • complete editorial admin duties
  • proofread or fact-check copy/manuscripts
  • research topics for more senior editors.

For some real-world context, for those looking to develop their careers in the art world the internship at Christie's allows you to get involved in:

  • archiving
  • managing libraries
  • research
  • setting up exhibitions
  • writing catalogue notes.

On the fashion design internship at H&M you'll learn from industry experts through working in one of the organisation's product teams. During your time, you'll explore the design process and method, gaining hands-on work experience by working with design software, materials, colour libraries, trims and prints. 

The Foyle Future First programme at the LPO enables early-career orchestral musicians to:

  • play alongside professionals in LPO rehearsals
  • hone technique through lessons with a principal LPO player
  • perfect audition skills
  • watch LPO rehearsals and behind-the-scenes preparation
  • play side-by-side with an LPO member in chamber orchestras at the Royal Festival Hall.

Where can I look for creative intern opportunities?

'Reach out to people working in the roles or sectors you're interested in,' suggests Mel.

'Ask for advice, or request a shadowing opportunity. Starting small is a great way to gain momentum, so consider roles like runner positions or assistant jobs. Volunteering can also give you practical experience and help you build confidence. Every project you take part in, no matter how small, contributes to your understanding of the industry and builds the connections that will support your long-term career.'

How can I make my application stand out?

Your internship application will be one of many that creative employers receive so you need to make sure it stands out for all the right reasons.

Tailor your application to the role and organisation that you're applying to. Generic CVs, cover letters and portfolios won't impress, especially in an industry as competitive as the creative arts. Learn more about how to write a CV and cover letter and take inspiration from our example internship cover letter.

To really set yourself apart from the crowd, focus on and highlight the skills and attributes that creative employers most seek, such as:

  • adaptability
  • creative thinking
  • curiosity
  • genuine passion for your field or discipline, not just competence
  • initiative
  • organisation and project management
  • problem-solving
  • resilience
  • teamwork
  • technical ability and digital literacy.

Demonstrate these skills using real examples in your cover letter, or through the project work you include in your portfolio.

'Highlight why the role and organisation interests you,' advise Elli and Sylvia. 'Also, build your professional network using platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals and organisations. Not only does this demonstrate genuine interest in the company and its work but it is a great way to keep up to date with upcoming opportunities too.'

Mel adds, 'employers want to see not just talent, but enthusiasm and motivation. Showing that you understand their mission and want to contribute to it can set you apart immediately.'

Will a period as a creative intern help me get a job in the industry?

Relevant work experience is essential for a career in the creative industries and it's often the thing that makes your application stand out when you apply for roles.

The skills you gain as a creative intern, the portfolio you develop and the industry connections you make will all help towards securing a job.

However, while they're a vital first step, internship opportunities rarely guarantee you a job upon completion. This is especially true for short-term schemes, which are usually undertaken by those who are just looking to try out certain roles, build skills and connections. Some longer-term internships may lead to a job offer, but if this is the end goal it's best to confirm with employers whether this is a possibility before making your internship application.

If you feel work-ready and that you have all the experience you need, you'll have better luck landing a permanent job by applying for graduate schemes or getting stuck into job hunting. Learn more about how to get a creative job.

Find out more