Career Connections:
Arts, Entertainment, & Creative Professions
about the field
The intersection of arts, entertainment, and creative professions represents a dynamic and evolving field where creativity serves as a catalyst for transformation. This field can harnesses the power of artistic expression—whether through visual arts, music, theater, film, or design—to address societal issues, inspire collective action, and amplify marginalized voices.
Artists and creative professionals are increasingly recognized not only for their artistic talents but for their ability to drive meaningful conversations and foster connections that transcend traditional boundaries. Whether through thought-provoking performances, immersive experiences, or community-based projects, the work produced within this space has the potential to challenge perceptions, promote justice, and encourage dialogue on complex topics like racial equity, environmental sustainability, human rights, and mental health.
In this field, creative individuals and organizations collaborate with communities to co-create solutions, raise awareness, and advocate for change. Through participatory art, public installations, cultural programming, and digital platforms, they create spaces for engagement, healing, and empowerment. At its core, this field is about harnessing the transformative power of creativity to build stronger, more resilient communities and create a more just and inclusive world.
internships & Opportunties
NATIONAL PARTNERS
The Bonner Foundation has partnerships with non-profit organizations and national agencies that provide opportunities such as internships, direct service, international experiences, summer placements, post-graduate fellowships, employment, and more to Bonner students, staff, and alumni in the Bonner Network. The following organizations have offerings in arts, entertainment, & creative professions:
Cultural Survival is an Indigenous-led NGO and U.S. registered non-profit that advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience, since 1972. For over 52 years, Cultural Survival has partnered with Indigenous communities to advance Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultures worldwide. We envision a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance.
Solutions Journalism investigates, and explains, in a critical and clear-eyed way, how people try to solve widely solved problems. While journalists usually define news as “what’s gone wrong,” solutions journalism tries to expand that definition: Responses to problems are also newsworthy. By adding rigorous coverage of solutions, journalists can tell the whole story. Solutions journalism complements and strengthens coverage of problems. Done well, solutions stories provide valuable insights that help communities with the difficult work of tackling problems like homelessness or climate change, skyrocketing housing prices or low voter turnout. We also know from research that solutions stories can change the tone of public discourse, making it less divisive and more constructive. By revealing what has worked, such stories have led to meaningful change.Their mission is to transform journalism so that all people have access to news that helps them envision and build a more equitable and sustainable world.
The mission of Write Away is to close the digital divide by creating opportunities for learners of all ages to use digital tools for writing and expression. Write Away believe that a digitally inclusive world is possible through strategic coaching and mentorship. Together, we can create opportunities, build virtual community, and access the tools needed for 21st century success. Write Away’s Digital Literacy Mentorship program takes action to address this issue. Write Away mentors coach and guide their mentees through a series of writing tasks aimed to promote digital literacy, provide opportunities for self-expression, and foster a love for writing.
BONNER GRADUATE SCHOOL PARTNERS
The Bonner Foundation has partnerships with graduate schools and organizations that provide special benefits (e.g., partial- and full-tuition scholarships, application fee waivers) to Bonner students, staff, and alumni in the Bonner Network. The following graduate schools have offerings in arts, entertainment, & creative professions:
The Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy is home to two internationally recognized graduate-level institutions at Carnegie Mellon University: the School of Information Systems and Management and the School of Public Policy and Management. This unique colocation combined with its expertise in analytics set Heinz College apart in the areas of cybersecurity, health care, the future of work, smart cities, and arts & entertainment. In 2016, INFORMS named Heinz College the #1 academic program for Analytics Education. Bonner Scholar/Leaders, alumni or staff interested in pursuing a master’s degree are encouraged to apply for admission to any of Heinz College’s master’s degree programs and will receive the following partnership benefits: Application fee waiver and a minimum scholarship of $30,000 (with further consideration for additional merit-based scholarship support).
The Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington, offers professional, interdisciplinary graduate degree programs in public affairs, environmental science, arts administration, healthcare management, and environmental sustainability. Graduates leave ready for leadership positions spanning public, private and nonprofit sectors, and are prepared to address the most pressing public issues that confront us both home and abroad. Every program shares the same goal – to prepare graduates to make a difference and be ready for a meaningful career. Bonner Scholar or Bonner Leader program participants and alumni who have successfully met the requirements of their scholarship/service who apply for any of the O’Neill School’s master’s degrees or dual master’s degrees receive the following partnership benefits: 1) Application fee waiver and 2) Award of 25% tuition remission.
The University of Virginia's School of Architecture’s educational mission is to shape a new generation of innovative leaders, thinkers, designers, and makers who are committed to being exemplary partners in creating the most just, compelling, and courageous of futures. The University of Virginia’s School of Architecture attracts students who are seeking to advance their educations in design and the built environment, while engaging with critical issues of spatial, environmental, and social justice. The UVA School of Architecture offers graduate degrees in and across its four departments: architecture, architectural history, landscape architecture, and urban and environmental planning. Bonner Scholar/Leaders, alumni or staff interested in pursuing a master’s degree are encouraged to apply for admission to any of the UVA School of Architecture’s master’s degree programs and will receive the following partnership benefits: 1) Application fee waiver and 2) A minimum annual scholarship of $5,000 (with further consideration for additional merit-based scholarship support).
bonner alumni in the field
Since 1990, the Bonner Program has graduated over 18,000 alumni who are continuing to make a social impact around the world.
Our 20th Anniversary survey (2010) indicates that about 65% of our alumni choose a career in government and non-profit sectors, often tied to their undergraduate service experiences. Nearly 80% still volunteer on a regular basis; over 90% voted in the last election. As Bonners take their service experiences into the professional world, they are leading social change through the lends of a service based education.
Many Alumni remain engaged in the Bonner Network by working for organizations that partner with the Bonner Program. Other Bonner Alumni work for organizations that seek out current Bonner students as interns and future employees. Furthermore, Bonner Alumni remain active by attending Bonner national conferences and sharing their expertise and passion for service.
To connect with Bonner Alumni, join the Bonner Alumni Network LinkedIn Group to find these alumni and many more.