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ArtBound Initiative

ArtBound Initiative

4.81 Rating
172 reviews
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Why choose ArtBound Initiative?

ArtBound Initiative is dedicated to emerging creative professionals. Our mission is to encourage connections between participants, industry leaders and global companies. Strengthened by our network of over 250 companies, ABI provides the opportunity for personalized work experiences in highly insular industries. Placements are currently available in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Berlin, Melbourne, Sydney, and Virtual.

Website
www.artboundinitiative.com
Founded
2016
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Community Photos

Broadway Market
NYFW
Sewing machine at leather factory!
Grand Central Terminal
Exhibition Opening Organised by my Organisation
Louise Bourgeois Exhibition
View from The Summit
View of Manhattan from DUMBO
A photo of me, taken by Casey Kelbaugh during my internship with 1-54 Contemporary Art Fair.
On set for a music video
There are a lot of long hours, sitting at your desk, working on various assignments - for me it included script coverage, analysis, and working on pitch documentation.
Part of East Side Gallery
Ice skating rink in Winter Xmas Market
Music room in Sanssouci Palace
Office space at Picos
NYC

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Community Awards

  • Go Overseas Award
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Reviews

Default avatar
Alejandro Ivan
31
Male
Mexico
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Intern remotely with creative companies

Internship to one of the biggest production companies!

Apr 2, 2025

This program has truly transformed my life. I was searching for a meaningful opportunity to grow, to explore my potential as a filmmaker, and to take a bold step forward in my career. This was the perfect fit. It provided not only technical knowledge and creative skills, but also a strong support system and a sense of direction. I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences, the mentors, and the connections I’ve made. Applying was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and it has opened doors I never imagined possible.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The premier of an adaptation for a film to theatre running in the UK
Default avatar
Taurphan
22
Female
Thailand
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Creative Internships in Melbourne & Sydney with ABI

ABI Review

Mar 31, 2025

I liked how much support the ABI team gave me throughout this experience. The online community as well as my supervisors always felt like a reliable source I could go to when I had questions about my internship. The actual placement itself, the part that I was most worried about, went smoothly through their support.

The course that they provide gave me a lot of insight as to what it would be like to work in the industry. Although some of the things in the course seem like common sense, for example: knowing what kind of supervisor you may get, work culture etc; it did help me to think more about what things may actually be like.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
It's important to adapt depending on the work environment that you are placed in. For my work experience, I found that my supervisor gave me a very hands-off approach, where I had to find my own way to be useful as a part of their team. How I was able to overcome this was I tried my best to find my own spot on the workplace that worked harmoniously with everyone.
Pros
  • Cuts out the faffing about of having to find an internship.
  • You have a group of creatives that you can talk to with questions or concerns.
Cons
  • Expensive.
Default avatar
Salvador
23
Male
Netherlands
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI

I got an amazing internship

Mar 21, 2025

Artbound Initiative provided an excellent pathway for securing my internship, offering valuable support throughout the process. They helped match me with a role that aligned with my interests, ensuring I gained hands-on experience in script coverage, film production, and industry research. Their guidance in networking and professional development was helpful, making it easier to connect with industry professionals and build confidence in reaching out to managers and assistants.

Beyond securing the internship, Artbound was also supportive in practical matters, such as helping me transition smoothly when I needed to change apartments. The first housing they arranged was far from great but they made sure I got my money back. Their responsiveness and willingness to assist made a significant difference in my overall experience. Thanks to this program, I gained both professional skills and industry connections that will benefit me in my career. I highly recommend Artbound Initiative to anyone looking for structured, well-supported industry experience in entertainment and media.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I saw Barry Keoghan in the gym.
Pros
  • They get you a great internship.
  • They have quick and great support.
  • They have a great network.
Cons
  • It is expensive.
  • Visa costs are not included in the program.
  • Housing was a problem.
Default avatar
Giovanni
24
Male
Italy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Creative Internship in Berlin with ABI

ABI experience in Berlin

Nov 23, 2024

Hello!! I am Giovanni. After earning a bachelor degree in Engineering of Cinema and Media Communication at the Politecnico of Turin, I decided to have an abroad experience. I wanted to start an internship in the entertainment field and thanks to the ArtBound Initiative I had the possibility to do it in Berlin. So, in the Fall of 2024, I worked for a company called Film Base Berlin. It was one of the most incredible experiences in my life for different reasons. Thanks to the internship, I had the opportunity to work on a big movie set for the first time and it was really like a dream. After the ending of the shooting of the movie, I worked in the office of the company for the rest of my Internship. I had various tasks. My boss was starting the pre-production of a series. This part of the internship was really interesting because I learned how producers manage budgets for movies and series and how a project like this becomes reality starting from the concept.
As I said before, all this happened in Berlin and the only thing that I can say about this city is that it has helped me to enjoy what I was doing even more. The people I met, strangers at the beginning and friends now, created a perfect environment to live in the city in the best way possible. I’m going to leave Berlin with a lot of memories and with the awareness of being changed.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I wouldn't change anything of this experience. I think I have lived those three months in Berlin in the best way possible. I met people, that are now great friends, I worked hard on my goals and I came back with a lot of beautiful memories.
Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • working in an environment that it is your passion (For me the entertainment field)
  • The possiblity to build a network and start a career in the future
Cons
  • It can be hard sometimes being alone in a new country
Default avatar
Ruoyao
23
Female
China
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI

The most memorable experience in my life

Oct 22, 2024

The prior courses are really useful, even after I have finished the internship, I will benefit from it my whole life. I have been working with one of the most wonderful art centres in NYC, the supervisor was amazing and provided me with a lot of opportunities, I have also tried a lot of new things I've never done before here. It's one of the luckiest things to get a job here. NYC is also a fantastic place to spend your time, learn more, and meet more like-minded people, there are a lot of wonderful events there for you to meet.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Enjoy the journey, be more active and do not hesitate.
Pros
  • Wonderful events almost every night
  • Creative atmosphere
Cons
  • The city is really expensive to live in lol
NYFW
Broadway Market
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Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Elena Kay Herren

Program
Creative Internships in New York, Chicago & Los Angeles with ABI

Why did you choose this program?

I'm enrolled at the Art Academy of Cincinnati to earn my BFA. I chose ArtBound Initiative because a few people from my school had gone through them and had really good experiences. I was also considering another Study Abroad program, but chose ArtBound Initiative because I decided I wanted to spend my summer working towards being an artist than just as a student.

ArtBound Initiative, as the name suggests, is a program centered around the arts and works to connect young and emerging artists into the creative fields which are generally very insular. I felt that this program would allow me to access opportunities I would have difficulty finding otherwise.

I chose to go through the 8-week New York program ArtBound Initiative offers, because at the time that I was applying, I hadn't been in school long enough to be eligible for the Berlin or Hong Kong programs they offer. I really wanted to go through and have this experience so I went to New York for the summer. ArtBound Initiatives offers an 8-week and 12-week internships. I chose to be in New York for eight weeks due to familial concerns, but upon reflection, I would highly recommend going for the full 12 weeks.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My university had directed me to ArtBound Initiative and provided me with information concerning how to earn college credit over the time I was to spend in the program.

The ArtBound Initiative representatives were very hands-on in helping me organize the portfolio and resumé that I was to submit to them and that they would then be passing on to my potential internship placements. ArtBound Initiative also provided counseling sessions that helped narrow down what kind of internship I was going to have. These sessions enabled me to realize that I wanted to work with a studio artist with them in their studio.

ArtBound Initiative offers many different internship placements so I felt that the counseling sessions were very helpful. Through them, we were able to customize the experience to what I wanted and thought was best for me. ArtBound connected me with two studio artists who I was going to be working with, giving me their contact information. I contacted the artists, discussing the logistics of the internship, and then debriefed ArtBound about what was decided.

ArtBound Initiative also assisted me in finding housing for the summer. The representative sent me a few listings of apartments that were available near where my internship sites were, and I went through them and decided what would work best for me and my budget.

I went through the New York program and thought about how to get there as well as how I was going to get around the city during my stay, and how I was going to eat. Because I'm from Ohio, I drove into the city with a family member who helped me move into my apartment and then left.

For me, the process of traveling to and from the city was relatively painless. The day after I arrived in the city, I met with an ArtBound Initiative representative who debriefed me on New York City life in general and some of the events that they were organizing throughout the summer.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Have a good idea of what you want to get out of your internship, but also feel free to go and explore everything that's going on in the city you are in. Going for 12 weeks gives you more time to really get involved with your internship and the city.

I spent the first two to three weeks in New York getting used to the pace of the city and the artists I was working with. After that, I was able to have a lot of fun and find some really interesting things and meet some really great people.

Also, don't be afraid. Go full boar, jumping straight into the thick of things, and see what happens. For me, this meant trying to go to gallery openings every night there was one, and talking to the people there, or going to an event and stay after things start to wind down a bit just to see what happens next.

Part of not being afraid is going and getting lost in the city (which I did multiple times). Getting lost is honestly the best thing you can do because it’s during these times I found the most interesting things and learned the most about the city. I remember one time, I got lost to the point of tears, but I did find my way back and was surprised by the general goodwill of people.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The average day/week looks different for every participant. My days/weeks involved a combination of studio work (like preparing canvas, mixing paints, and taping off edges), administrative work (organizing project files, sending out emails, organizing contact information, and researching grant and residency opportunities), along with doing some legwork and trying to find new clients and galleries for the artists I was working with. This is what I did, but a friend I made in the ArtBound program had a different experience with what she was doing because she took an internship that was more involved on the arts administration side of things.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear in life is heights, so I didn't wander over to the edges of roofs on tall buildings and look over the side.

Kidding aside, going into the internship, I was afraid of having to talk to people I didn't know and going to work with the artists I was placed with in their studios. An artist’s studio is a personal place where an artist formulates his/her ideas. Walking into a studio is like walking into someone else's mind, and that's a hard thing for me to do because I don't know if I'm welcomed there or not, and I wanted to be an asset to the artists, not an impediment.

Part of me overcoming my fear of being a nuisance was just jumping right in and getting the work done that I was assigned to do and trying to stay busy so that things ran smoothly and progress was made. I tried my best, and I think it worked out alright because the artists and I got along.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Kania Putri P

Program
Creative Internship in Hong Kong with ABI
Job Title
Business Development
Kania joined the Marketing and Business Development team at ArtBound Initiative after previously having interned and worked at L’Oreal. She handles inquiries from leads, create and maintain relationships with new companies and universities, and help develop strategies to expand the network.
Kania Putri P wearing a scarf and glasses smiling

What is your favorite travel memory?

During a family vacation in Japan, I boarded a train alone to the city center of Tokyo to meet a Japanese friend whom we had bonded over when she did an exchange at my university. We had incredible fun trying on the traditional Japanese garment yukata, walking down the streets in incredibly small slippers, tasting local foods and sweets, and the heartwarming, spontaneous adventures that follow when you are happy and full and with a friend in a foreign city.

It’s a memory I cherish because as she is Japanese, we got to talk with some locals and it was endearing and sweet what some of them thought of my country and religion.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I’ve only been working at ArtBound Initiative for a few months and I have never felt like I belonged elsewhere. We’re a close-knit team – and even though some of us don’t live in the same continent, we are always supportive of each other.

In the past, I have struggled to find aspects of a job that I love – but when I came to work for ABI, I realise that I thoroughly enjoy helping people embark on the same journey abroad as I was once so lucky to have experienced.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I’ve not been working at ArtBound Initiative for long, but I have heard funny and heartwarming stories from students returning home from their internships. One student said that they’re frequently in touch with the other participants even months after their internship ended – getting lunch and dinner together and hanging out – it’s lovely to see how we helped connect these people and made friendships! One participant even shared a story of how he once met ASAP Rocky and Lil Pump when he was commuting for work!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I have been to some parts of Europe, but I have never been to London, even though it was the city I have been wanting to visit ever since I was in primary school, having read so many books by Enid Blyton! I would love to go for our London program!

If the opportunity ever comes, it will definitely be one of the most amazing experience I will ever have – to intern and live in one of my dream cities. I’d have scones and clotted cream and jam every day on my way to work!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our company is unique in the sense that we’re so tight-knitted that participants never felt like they are not welcome. We are always readily available when our participants need us – and that makes them more comfortable and allows for a more personal experience.

Looking at the growth the company has gone under in a span of a few months make me really happy and proud of all the contributions that we’re making to get to where we are so far. I’m glad that I’m able to grow with such a team that cares deeply for each and every one of us.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I’ve only been working for less than 2 years in my life but I believe that communication is an important key to being a successful company. It’s being sufficiently transparent, and honest that allows us to dig deep into a problem, and to find a solution together without feeling burdened. Communication helps foster a good work relationship – which in turn can really help in increasing productivity and morale. Another important factor would be our dedication for our students. Everyone at ABI has a passion for the experiences we facilitate for students abroad – we are dedicated to creating the best experiences we can for our interns, day in and day out, and I’m elated that I got to be part of this incredible team.