Performing Arts & Entertainment
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that position you to launch a career in the arts and entertainment, whether it be performing on Film/Television, in the Theater, in Comedy or Music and beyond – or supporting each of these from behind the scene in management.
At UChicago, you have the opportunity to meet leading figures in these areas, build experience through substantive internships, and develop your own distinctive portfolio of work in front of the camera or from behind it.
Explore this short video of an alumni in the performing arts and entertainment world, and the resources below to chart your path to a successful career!
Where will you go in Performing Arts & Entertainment?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Start your own theatre company
- Become a working actor or comedian
- Become a musician and composer
Interested in pursuing Arts & Entertainment Management?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Develop a career as a talent agent
- Become a television or film producer
- Work as a studio executive for a major movie studio
- Become an arts development professional
1-5 Day Long Experiences
Job Shadowing
Dive into the field through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at arts organizations such as the Shakespeare Theater, KMP Artists, Gray Talent Group, or Emerald Peak Entertainment through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
Career Treks
Immerse yourself in the world of entertainment by going on an arts-focused Trek:
- Film/TV: Creative Artist Agency, FX Networks, 21st Century Fox, William, Morris, Endeavor, A24 Pictures
- Theater/Comedy: The Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Daily Show, CBS
- Music: Warner Bros. Records, JMA Promotion
Specialized Programming
Gain specialized knowledge through programs such as JAMfest, Careers in the Humanities Day, and Taking the Next Step that bring students together with leading professionals in the field.
Month-Long Experiences
Micro-Metcalf Internships
Expand your skills with micro-internships, short projects that you can complete from anywhere, through UChicago's Micro-Metcalf Program. Possible Micro-Metcalf internships could be with employers such as Scrappers Film Group, Elephant Pictures, Full Spectrum Features, Windish Agency, Audible, or Stark White Talent.
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer through the Jeff Metcalf Internship Program:
- Film/TV: Kartemquin Films, 21 Laps, Red Wagon Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, A24
- Theater/Comedy: Court Theatre, The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre, First Floor Theatre
- Music: Warner Bros, Spotify, JMA Promotion, Capitol Records, Ear Taxi Festival
Student Organizations
Develop your own work and skills as part of student clubs (RSOs):
- Film/TV: Fire Escape Films, Doc Films, and Maroon TV
- Theater/Comedy: University Theatre, Off-Off Campus
- Music: On Record, the Coalition for Jazz Education and Performance, the Jazz X-tet, Center for Contemporary Composition, University Orchestra
Academic Year-Long Experiences
Kimpton Fellowship
Launch a fulfilling career in the field with a one-year paid opportunity with performing arts organizations such as Walt Disney Television through the Kimpton Fellows Program.
Graduate Programs
Learn about summer and graduate programs beyond UChicago:
- Film/TV: American Pavilion / Cannes Film Festival; MA and MFA Programs in Writing, Directing or Producing
- Theater/Comedy: MA and MFA Programs in Playwriting, Directing and Production
- Music: MA in Music Performance, Film Scoring and Composition, or Music Production
Grants
Apply for grants to support the development of your own work, or to fund self-secured internships during the academic year or summer. Grants can include Creativity Grants or Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Grants.
Visual Arts & Museums
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that position you to launch a career in the visual arts and beyond.
At UChicago, you have the opportunity to intern with working artists and at prominent arts spaces and auction houses, attend programming with today’s arts leaders, and learn what it takes to conceive, develop and launch an exhibition.
Explore the resources below to chart your path to a successful career!
Where will you go in Visual Arts & Curation?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Plan and execute art exhibitions
- Develop your career as a studio artist
- Become an arts educator
1-5 Day Long Experiences
Job Shadowing
Dive into the field through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at organizations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institute, or the Smart Museum through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
Career Treks
Immerse yourself in the international art scene by participating in a Trek visit to employers such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Hindman Auctioneers, White Cube London, Tate Modern London, or the Renaissance Society.
Specialized Programming
Gain specialized knowledge through programs such as JAMfest, Careers in the Humanities Day, Taking the Next Step, and Art Pass that bring students together with leading professionals in the field.
Month-Long Experiences
Micro-Metcalf Internships
Expand your skills with micro-internships, short projects that you can complete from anywhere, through UChicago's Micro-Metcalf Program. Possible Micro-Metcalf internships could be with employers such as Momus Podcast or the Renaissance Society.
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer with employers such as Hyde Park Art Center, Museum of Contemporary Art, Creative Time, Smart Museum, and Blanton Museum of Art through the Jeff Metcalf Internship Program.
Student Organizations
Join a UChicago Student Arts Advisory Board like Arts Liasons, Renaissance Society, or the Smart Museum.
Academic Year-Long Experiences
Kimpton Fellowship
Launch a fulfilling career in the field with a one-year paid opportunity with a visual arts organization such as the Evanston Art Center through the Kimpton Fellows Program.
Graduate Programs
Learn about graduate programs like an MFA in Visual Arts or a PhD in Art History.
Grants
Apply for grants to support the development of your own work, or to fund self-secured internships during the academic year or summer. Grants can include Creativity Grants, Seidel Scholars Grants, or Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Grants.
Gaming and Media Design
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that position you to launch a career in gaming and media design.
At UChicago, you have the opportunity to meet leading figures in the industry, intern with game-design companies, and develop your own work.
Explore the resources below to chart your path to a successful career!
Where will you go in Gaming and Media Design?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Conceptualize new gaming products
- Animate gaming environments and characters
- Work on the business and development side of a gaming company
1-5 Day Long Experiences
Job Shadowing
Dive into the field through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at design organizations such as Brick 101, Adobe, or Unity Technologies through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
Career Treks
Immerse yourself in the the world of game design by participating in a Trek to employers such as Industrial Toys, Electronic Arts, Iron Galaxy, Riot Games, or Gunslinger Studios.
Specialized Programming
Gain specialized knowledge through programs such as JAMfest, Careers in the Humanities Day, and Taking the Next Step that bring students together with leading professionals in the field.
Month-Long Experiences
Micro-Metcalf Internships
Expand your skills with micro-internships, short projects that you can complete from anywhere, through UChicago's Micro-Metcalf Program. Possible Micro-Metcalf internships could be with employers such as Caravan Studios.
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer with employers such as Industrial Toys, Riot Games, Iron Galaxy, or Gunslinger Studios through the Jeff Metcalf Internship Program.
Student Organizations
Develop your own work and skills by joining a student organization (RSOs) such as the UChicago Game Design club, or take advantage of the Media, Arts, Data and Design Center’s course offerings (MADD).
Academic Year-Long Experiences
Grants
Apply for grants to support the development of your own work, or to fund self-secured internships during the academic year or summer. Grants can include Creativity Grants, or Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Grants.
Architecture and Urban Design
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that position you to launch a career in architecture and urban design.
At UChicago, you have the opportunity to intern with working architects and publications devoted to urban design issues, attend programming with practitioners in the field, and learn what it takes to conceive and develop the built environment.
Explore the resources below to chart your path to a successful career!
Where will you go in Architecture and Urban Design?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Develop a career as a residential architect
- Engage in debates about the future of the built environment
- Become an architectural historian and author
1-5 Day Long Experiences
Job Shadowing
Dive into the field through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at an architecture firm such as Wight & Company through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
Career Treks
Immerse yourself in the world of architecture by participating in a Trek to visit employers such as Gensler, Chicago Architecture Foundation, or Rebuild Foundation.
Specialized Programming
Gain specialized knowledge through programs such as JAMfest, Careers in the Humanities Day, Taking the Next Step, and Art Pass that bring students together with leading professionals in the field.
Month-Long Experiences
Micro-Metcalf Internships
Expand your skills with micro-internships, short projects that you can complete from anywhere, through UChicago's Micro-Metcalf Program. Possible Micro-Metcalf internships could be with employers such as Civic Projects, Urban Design Forum, and Elemental Green.
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer with employers such as John Ronan, JFAK Architects, Art Institute of Chicago, or Chicago History Museum through UChicago's Jeff Metcalf Internship Program.
Student Organizations
Join a UChicago Student Arts Advisory Board like Arts Liasons, Renaissance Society, Smart Museum, or the UChicago Architecture Club.
Academic Year-Long Experiences
Graduate Programs
Learn about graduate programs in architecture and design like a PhD in SMarchS.
Grants
Apply for grants to support the development of your own work, or to fund self-secured internships during the academic year or summer. Grants can include Creativity Grants, Seidel Scholars Grants, or Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Grants.
Advertising and Digital Media
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that position you to launch a career in Advertising and Marketing.
At UChicago, you have the opportunity to intern with advertising and marketing firms, attend programming and networking events with their representatives, and learn what it takes to build a career in the field.
Explore the resources below to chart your path to a successful career!
Where will you go in Advertising?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Run data analytics on advertising campaigns for an advertising agency
- Develop an integrated multimedia marketing campaign with an integrated media firm
- Run social media campaign efforts for a digital media firm
1-5 Day Long Experiences
Job Shadowing
Dive into the field through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at marketing and advertising agencies such as Ogilvy through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
Career Treks
Immerse yourself in the international art scene by participating in a Trek to employers such as Chicago Advertising Federation, Ogilvy, and Digitas.
Specialized Programming
Explore the field and engage experientially with alumni through Career Advancement-sponsored programming with alumni, faculty, and upperclassmen including Q&A panels, RSOs like The Mark or Pareto Solutions, and events like Make Your Mark and Careers in the Humanities Day.
Month-Long Experiences
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer with employers such as Wong Doody, Wunderman Thomson, Starcom, and Digitas through the Jeff Metcalf Internship Program.