First step to believe on emerging artists

By Guadalupe Arévalo Gámez

September 12, 2021

As an administrative intern, during my spring internship with I AM Art House I worked on various administrative tasks. Throughout this last year, the most common activities have been the solo exhibitions of international artists. Because of this, the majority of my tasks have been related to these events. I helped record every exhibition, promoting the artists’ explanation of their own work by asking questions at the end of their exhibitions, translating some of the exhibitions to Spanish(to be able to reach to a Spanish-speaking audience trough YouTube) … My main duty, nevertheless, was to find and recruit Spanish artists that could be interested in joining the fellowship.

However, I have also conducted other exercises beyond administration that have enhanced my experience significantly. For instance, I was interviewed about my background and current experience as an administrative intern; I wrote a post for the journal of I AM Art House, I participated at the very interesting Networking Event, and attended a talk where the speaker invited truly helped me to understand the occasional failures in life. 

There are several good things that I am taking with me from this internship. At a professional level, I have learned that there are many ways I can help promote artists. I have particularly enjoyed the fact that they were all emerging artists because I felt that I was helping them build their first steps in their career. Being at I AM Art House has taught me more that just a few management and administrative skills. I have learned that this is exactly what I want to do with my work and my effort: to help others, namely Spanish artists to make their way into the art world. 

But there is more. At a personal level, I have also learned very precious lessons. I have completed internships in quite a few places, but never felt that I was actually contributing something valuable. But at I AM Art House, I experienced doing something good with my work, and saw that I could do anything that I proposed. Joyce never once doubted that I was capable of doing what she needed from me, and that is something that has truly changed my mindset and direction in life. It is very common, especially when you are an undergraduate student or a young adult, to think that you are never good enough, that you don’t have enough experience¸ that you won´t be able to do the job “right”. And what can I say? Sometimes this is true! But everything changes when your superior believes in you and has the patience to correct and lead you.