IDEAL Summer Internship

IDEAL: Internship for Diverse and Emerging Arts Leaders

The Internship for Diverse and Emerging Arts Leaders (IDEAL) program contributes to building an equitable future for arts leadership by providing opportunities to undergraduate students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in arts leadership. Each summer, five interns are placed in a paid eight-week internship at Arts Host organizations across Wake County and paired with a mentor from the community. During that time, interns participate in professional development and networking activities as well as build a cohort that will serve as a strong foundation for their growing careers. Selected Arts Host organizations are matched with an eager and passionate student intern, connect with a cohort of local arts organizations and community mentors, have access to a robust calendar of professional development and networking opportunities, and provide an immersive learning experience for their IDEAL intern. This program is fully funded by United Arts.

The 2025 IDEAL summer internship program will run from June 2 through August 1 and includes:

$4,500 pre-tax stipend per intern
Work placement at an Arts Host organization in Wake County for 24 hours per week for 8 weeks
Additional professional development activities and networking opportunities
Individualized mentor pairing in interns’ arts-specific field of interest
A local cohort that will serve as a strong foundation for interns’ growing careers
Learn more about the IDEAL internship experience by watching the Information Video for Interns

IDEAL 2025 Cohort

Kiara Azamar, Appalachian State University
Arts Host: Artspace
Mentor: Julianne Miao, Nasher Museum
Kiara Azamar was born in Raleigh, NC, and raised in Apex, NC. Kiara is studying Art Management with a minor in Nonprofit Organizations at Appalachian State University. After graduating in December 2025, Kiara plans on working in local galleries and with local nonprofits.

Liese Devine, Meredith College
Arts Host: Arts Together
Mentor: Jade Packer, Nasher Museum
Liese Devine is a student at Meredith College, double majoring in Studio Art and Art History. Since her experience working at the NCMA, Liese is determined to keep arts programming at the center of her career in any way possible. After graduation, Liese hopes to attend graduate school to study arts education further.

Esha Macha, North Carolina State University
Arts Host: Arts Access
Mentor: Lauren Garcia, NorthStar Church of the Arts
Esha Macha is a North Carolina State University student majoring in Graphic and Experience Design and minoring in Business Administration. She is extremely passionate about gaining insight into the UI/UX, graphic design, and marketing fields. She aspires to leverage design and business to create sustainable, inclusive, and accessible experiences within the arts sector by bringing diverse voices together.

Cindy Ortiz, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Arts Host: Carolina Ballet
Mentor: Alexandra Landeros, El Pueblo, Inc.
Cindy Ortiz was born and raised in Guatemala. She is currently a student at UNC Greensboro pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts with a concentration in New Media and Design, as well as a minor in Business Administration. Cindy will graduate in December 2025 and is looking forward to learning new things and engaging with others in the arts administration community.

Lexi Ray, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Arts Host: PineCone
Mentor: Dr. Tamara Brothers, NC Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources
Lexi Ray was born and raised in Raleigh, NC. She is a senior at UNC Greensboro, double majoring in Performance (with a concentration in Popular Music & Technology) and Arts Administration. She plans to graduate in the fall of 2025. In her free time, Lexi enjoys producing music, cooking, and spending time with loved ones. After graduation, she hopes to build a career in both the music and nonprofit industries while also pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

IDEAL 2024 Recap

Want to know more about past IDEAL cohorts? Check out the IDEAL Alumni page!

If you have any additional questions or accessibility requests, please feel free to email Community Arts Coordinator, Kelly Schrader, at kschrader@unitedarts.org