Combined degree student Em Mercure interned at BFAC this past spring. Read on to learn more about their experience…
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
Social Media Management & Front Desk Worker
How did you find this Internship?
I found this internship on Handshake.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
What I enjoyed most about my internship at BFAC was being at the heart of such a vibrant artistic community. There’s something special about a space where people from diverse backgrounds come together around their shared love of art. Working the front desk gave me the chance to meet everyone from professional artists to complete beginners, and I loved seeing how the center became a second home for so many of them. I also really valued the creative freedom I had with some of the social media management. Being able to document the energy of figure drawing sessions with photography of some of our events, and I was able to showcase the incredible work being created right in our studio was really fulfilling. Seeing the work and inspiration was really invigorating for myself especially since it aligned perfectly with my own artistic background in figurative art and anatomical illustration; I actually began a practice of weekly study due to this job. The event planning aspect was rewarding too. There’s something magical about transforming our space for a class opening and seeing people engage with the artwork from a figure study and connect with each other and their products. In a time when dedicated arts spaces are disappearing across Somerville, it felt meaningful to be part of an organization that’s creating a sustainable model for community centered arts spaces.
What did you find challenging about your internship?
The most challenging aspect of my internship was balancing the dual responsibility of creating engaging content and keeping up with new demands while also maintaining an authentic representation of BFAC’s artistic community. Since the center operates on a for profit model rather than relying on grants or donations, there was a real need to attract new members and class participants through our online presence, but I wanted to ensure our social posting never felt purely promotional or lost the genuine spirit of the space, and felt welcoming even to those who couldn’t afford a membership. Another challenge was coordinating events with limited resources. Since BFAC operates on thin profit margins, we often had to be creative and resourceful with event planning. This meant leveraging on support of our community as a whole and taking care of our tools, repurposing our materials, and finding ways to create impactful experiences without significant budgets using the space and operations we had. While this pushed me to be more innovative, it sometimes meant adjusting my vision to fit practical constraints. We talked about managing competitors, opening new avenues for communication, and I felt proud of some of the solutions we followed, including beginning a Discord chat and branching out to other forms of connection. I also found it challenging initially to navigate the different needs of such a diverse membership base. At the front desk, I’d interact with professional models, complete beginners to art, students, and community members just looking for a third space to connect for all sorts of careers. Each group had different expectations and needs from BFAC, and learning how to serve everyone effectively while maintaining the warm, inclusive atmosphere that makes the center special took time to master. I am shy, so this was challenging but I can hope my desire to help shone through.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
For anyone looking to make the most of an internship at BFAC or a similar arts organization, my biggest advice would be to fully immerse yourself in the community aspect. Don’t just focus on completing your assigned tasks, to take time to get to know the members, attend classes when possible, and understand what makes this space so important to the people who use it. The relationships you build will not only enrich your experience but also inform how you approach social media content and event planning. I’d also recommend being proactive about learning all aspects of the organization. At BFAC, there’s this beautiful intersection of art, business, and community building. Ask questions about their membership model, how you could be accommodated or best fit into that system (keep in mind an internship could open up a temporary free membership or new opportunities), observe how classes are structured, and understand the challenges of sustaining an arts space in today’s economy. This holistic understanding will make your contributions more valuable. Be flexible and ready to help in other facets. One minute you might be photographing a figure drawing session for the socials, or you can be troubleshooting the registration system at the front desk, and later you could be helping set up for a new inventive class. This variety is what makes the role exciting, but it requires adaptability and quelling one’s anxiety on perfect performance and the ability to make mistakes and grow from them. Finally, don’t be afraid to bring your own artistic perspective to the table. BFAC values creativity not just in the art being made but in how the center itself operates. If you have ideas for events, social media approaches, or ways to enhance the member experience, share them. In my experience, some of the most rewarding moments came from seeing my own initiatives come to life and contribute to this special environment, where you can find yourself a member of fellow local artists of all ages, skill levels, and walks of life.
