The Detroit Institute of Arts is strongly committed to creating educational experiences where students can learn and grow at the intersections of art and community. The DIA’s summer paid Internship program offers important learning and professional development opportunities for the participants, and is a good example of how the institution works with the community to make our society a better place to live and learn. We are grateful to Molly Valade and Mark Valade for supporting the paid internship program at the DIA, as well as for the support from Applebaum Family Philanthropy for our collaboration through the Applebaum Internship program.

This month, I’d like to shine a light on the nine outstanding interns who have been working throughout the organization for the past three months.

An internship is a key experience in a student’s life; a time to, as one student said, “take the reins of your education to improve your skills and employability for a successful future.” Over the course of 12 weeks, our interns rose to the challenge of learning about, and integrating themselves into, the inner workings of the museum across multiple departments.

Please take a few moments to read what each had to say about their roles and experiences here this summer!

Adriana Viscomi, Donor Relations & Stewardship Intern, Development 

Adriana Viscomi is studying Marketing Management & Communications at Albion College.

What was your greatest accomplishment during your internship?

I think the opportunities I’ve had to speak with many individuals about the research project I completed during my internship, and more importantly, to have had the chance to build strong relationships with them, have been my greatest accomplishment. I focused on learning how other museums acknowledge their major donors, and brought those learnings back to the DIA. 

Ava Dobos, Exhibitions Intern (Applebaum), Exhibitions Department

Ava Dobos is a University of Michigan student studying German translation and museum studies.

Why did you choose to intern at the DIA?

Not only did this opportunity align with my professional and academic goals, the DIA played a pivotal role in my introduction to arts and culture in the area. As an avid visitor and community member, I've always valued the mission and vision and was excited to participate in the efforts that bring these ideals to life.

Ben Kirchoff, Curatorial Intern, Modern and Contemporary Art

Ben Kirchoff graduated from Wayne State University with a BA in German and Global Studies. He is starting a master’s program in German Studies this fall at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

What was the most interesting thing about your work?

Working with the letters and German texts. Not only was it interesting to see how these artists—whose pieces we value so highly to this day—lived and worked, but it was also awesome to see how this information was being used to plan an exhibition. It really shows how much work goes into these exhibitions and displays and makes me admire the work being done here even more. 

Brenet White, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Intern, Talent and Culture

Brenet White is Wayne State University graduate with a BA in Media Arts and Studies.

What was your greatest accomplishment during your internship?

The project you’re reading now: planning and developing the intern spotlight article that highlights my coworkers and honors their hard work throughout the summer program. I discussed this project with my director in the first week of my internship. I’m excited to showcase and build the journalistic skills I learned as a university student.

DaJanae Grayer, Curatorial Intern, Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous Americas 

DaJanae Grayer is studying art history at Wayne State University.

What was the most interesting thing about your work?

My work mainly involved researching ancient African art and contemporary artists and designers. I compiled research on their works and a bibliography of sources about them. Learning more about the contemporary art scene of Africa and using the DIA’s research library to conduct research was extremely interesting.

Nick Mangrum, Accounting Intern, Accounting Department

Nick Mangrum is a finance student at Wayne State University.

What advice you would give to future DIA interns?

Take a moment to pause and observe your surroundings. Time flies, so create meaningful connections with your peers, embrace your curiosity by asking plenty of questions, and remain eager to explore and learn throughout your journey. These experiences will enrich your time at the DIA and contribute to your personal and professional growth.

Ruhi Hoque, HR Intern, Talent and Culture

Ruhi Hoque is studying Human Resources Management and Global Supply Chain at Wayne State University.

Why did you choose to intern at the DIA?

I wanted to get my foot in the door at an organization and environment I already loved. As a Wayne State University student, I love to visit the DIA when I’m on campus, as well as explore midtown Detroit. By working at the DIA, not only did I know I could gain valuable experience in HR, I could also learn more about my community as a whole. Also, who doesn’t want to see pretty art on the way up to the office? 

Sarah Campbell, Development and Events Intern, Development Department

Sarah Campbell is studying Women in History, Egyptology, and Marketing at Taylor University.

What did your work consist of?

Major development projects and events, including the July New Members’ tour, the Associate Member Lunch and Learn, Tannahill Tea, and more. I have been working on two major projects: the Affinity Partner project and the Reciprocal Membership project. The Affinity program offers discounts to DIA members at local businesses if they show a DIA membership card. The Reciprocal Membership program allows exchanged membership benefits at over 150 museums globally.

Stephanie Vettese, Research Library & Archives Intern, Research Library & Archives

Stephanie Vettese is a graduate student studying Information Science, specializing in Digital Archives, Library Science, & Preservation at the University of Michigan.

What was your greatest accomplishment during your internship?

My greatest accomplishment, and the one that I’m most proud of, was connecting people to the information they’re seeking. Interacting with scholars, curators, artists, and researchers from various disciplines fosters an exchange of ideas and perspectives. This intellectual synergy creates a culture of continuous learning and sparks new insights and approaches to understanding and interpreting the collections. While my role may be small, I am proud to have contributed to the preservation and dissemination of human creativity and knowledge. The DIA’s Research Library & Archives is a place where passion, history, and the pursuit of understanding converge to create a profoundly enriching and rewarding experience for those fortunate enough to work within this thriving space. I’m lucky to be one of those fortunate people.

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The DIA team had a wonderful experience working with this group of students; let’s honor their hard work. All of us here at the DIA wish them great success in their academic and professional lives ahead!

The DIA IDEA Director Carla Tinsley-Smith coordinated the creation of this blog in direct collaboration with the DIA interns. Janet Ozzard edited it. I am grateful to all of them for their excellent contributions.