Since the arts management began to be established as academic programs in Korean universities in the mid 90’s, the effectiveness and efficiency of university-based arts management education programs have been critically examined. One of those critic...
Since the arts management began to be established as academic programs in Korean universities in the mid 90’s, the effectiveness and efficiency of university-based arts management education programs have been critically examined. One of those critical issues has been the lack of field training in arts management programs. The importance of internship has been emphasized to solve this problem. Although increasing number of arts management programs are recently incorporating internship in their curriculum, and many cultural institutions began to develop formal or informal internship programs, there are much to be done for effective operation of internship. In this study, the attitudes, needs, and opinions of both supervising institutions and students who participated internships were examined, in order to propose implications for enhancing educational effectiveness of internship. As a research method, a questionnaire survey was administered on 30 students (including 12 graduates and 18 undergraduates) who took the internship course required by Curatorial Studies Program at Dongduk Women’s University in Korea and 21 arts institutions (mainly visual arts organizations) which have utilized interns to some degree. The main questions sought from both institutions and students included the ideal lengths of internship, form of internship management, satisfaction level of utilization of internship, the knowledge, ability, and attitudes of prospective professionals desired by current professional workers. Also main barriers to internship and suggestions for internship were examined. The result of survey provided meaningful implications to be considered for effective internship. First, internship should be a requirement of university-based arts management programs. Also, at least 6 months of internship are needed for meaningful training. The fact that professional and responsible attitude of interns were considered more important than specific knowledge and skills by professional staff implies that university education should pay more attention to general competencies as future professionals. Both student-interns and institutions thought that more effective supervision from university is needed even after the arrangement is settled. To enhance excellence and effectiveness of university-based arts administration education programs, more comprehensive partnership should be developed between universities and arts institutions.