Internships & Fellowships

At California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE), we are committed to making the arts industry accessible to all. Through our Internship and Fellowship programs, we provide valuable learning experiences and develop professional skills, fostering pathways to careers in the arts. We believe in the transformative power of education in its various forms and strive to serve our community by offering opportunities to diverse learners of all ages and backgrounds.

Our programs are inclusive and collaborative, partnering with numerous local institutions and programs that serve a wide range of populations. Whether you’re a student looking to gain hands-on experience or a professional seeking to expand your skills, our Internship and Fellowship opportunities provide a pathway to meaningful learning and growth in the vibrant world of the arts. Join us and be part of our commitment to fostering talent and creativity within our community.

Academic Internships & Externships

Our Academic Internship & Externship program is designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences in a supportive and supervised environment. Students work alongside professionals in their chosen field, receiving guidance and mentorship throughout the program.

What Our Internships Offer:

· Explore Career Opportunities: Gain an insider’s perspective into your potential career path, build your resume, and acquire valuable experience.

· Develop Hands-On Skills: Learn practical skills that are transferable across various disciplines.

· Network: Connect with professionals in your field and build lasting relationships.

· Find Mentors: Receive personalized mentorship tailored to your career goals.

Requirements: Candidates must be currently enrolled in a high school, college, or other learning environment and eligible for academic credit. Interns under 18 must have a work permit from their school. Additionally, California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation (CCAEF), will contact your school to develop a Community Partnership Agreement if one is not already in place. Students interested in completing an academic internship at CCAEF should apply here.

Our internship programs are in collaboration with the following academic institutions: CSUSM, Palomar College, Del Lago Academy, Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, John Paul the Great, and San Diego State University – School of Art and Design.

For schools interested in Academic Internships for your students, please reach out to our Human Resources Manager, BriAnn Guillen, at bguillen@artcenter.org.

If you’re not currently enrolled in a learning environment but seek professional experience in the arts, consider our volunteer opportunities here.

Educational Pathways for Professional Growth

California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation (CCAEF), collaborates with Hiring Our Heroes and Designing Creative Futures to provide paid workforce development opportunities for program participants.

Hiring Our Heroes connects the military community—service members, military spouses, and veterans—with American businesses, fostering economic opportunity and a robust, diverse workforce. This program empowers military spouses to expand their networks and gain valuable job experience.

Despite 80% of military spouses pursuing additional training or certification, they face a high unemployment rate of 22%, largely due to a lack of network following relocations. Military spouses, who are 92% female, closely reflect the diversity found in our active-duty military.

Designing Creative Futures is an internship program with a focus on the arts, specifically designed for formerly incarcerated individuals. This program provides returning residents with a distinctive chance to engage in internships with arts organizations, where they can learn a range of skills related to careers in the arts and receive mentorship from industry leaders.

To apply for these programs, candidates must be referred directly through the Program Managers of Hiring Our Heroes and Designing Creative Futures.