Six students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were selected as recipients of the 2026 Arts Internship Fellowship to pursue summer internships built around arts organizations and the business of the arts. Students can immerse themselves in arts organizations domestically or abroad.
The Arts Internship Honors Fellowship was established in 2023 with a gift from Ginna JD ’90 and Roy Richards to fund individuals who seek to gain experience working in the arts. Internship sites offer real world experience and professional connections at a critical time in early careers. Students will hone their craft, learn valuable context, develop their business and arts management skills, and learn how critical funding streams support creative endeavors while being mentored in the field by distinguished practicing artists and arts administrators.
Since its initiation in 2023, the Arts Internship Honors Fellowship funded twelve undergraduates to participate in meaningful arts internships with filmmakers, publishers, local theatres, and production studios. The Fellowship now adds six dynamic students, increasing the number to 18 total fellows. A host organization from the first cohort shared their experience.
“We believe that in order to change the perception at large about of the value of our work, we need to make sure that our employees and interns are fairly compensated. The Arts Internship Honors Fellowship at UNC allowed us to do that last summer. We ended up paired with a talented and ambitious intern who was supported by the fellowship, enabling her to work alongside us on various projects without worrying about exploitation or setting a bad example for future workplace expectations and compensation.
Not only did our intern exceed our expectations, she was eager to learn, had an excellent attitude and became a trusted ally. Her contributions helped us move several ideas forward, and her perspective was key as we evaluated and evolved the distribution model for our work. We are so grateful for this opportunity (for us, and for our intern). The idea of paid internships in the arts is a huge step towards a more truly inclusive field, and we hope to continue partnering with you as the program grows.”
To be selected as an Arts Internship Honors Fellow, an applicant must provide convincing evidence of their interest in the arts and arts administration through an application, recommendation letters, and an interview. The proposed fellowship experience should enable students to embark on an immersive internship focused on learning and working in the arts.
We are proud to introduce the 2026 Fellows:
Emilyn Bishop (‘27) is from Raleigh, North Carolina and is double majoring in Media and Journalism with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations and Music. This summer, she will be the Corporate Partnerships Intern at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, North Carolina. Emilyn hopes to bridge her interests in being on stage with the business side of performing arts.
Wilma Casey (’27) is from Charlotte, North Carolina, is double majoring in Global Studies and Asian Studies with a minor in Astronomy. She has a passion for photography and this summer she plans to travel to Taiwan to advance her photography skills, working closely with a practicing professional photographer in Mandarin Chinese. Through this immersive experience, she will explore how visual storytelling intersects with international relations and the business dimensions of the global art industry.
Blythe Jaworsky (’29) is from Denver, North Carolina and is majoring in Business Administration. This summer, she will intern with Eddy Aesthetic in San Francisco, where she’ll gain hands‑on experience in fashion operations and merchandising. Through this role, she hopes to apply her business coursework to real‑world projects while deepening her understanding of the industry. She looks forward to building the knowledge and skills that will support her future career in the global fashion and business landscape.
Ian Jones (27′) is majoring in Communications: Creative Management with a double minor in Creative Writing and Writing for the Screen and Stage. He is from Dripping Springs, Texas, and looks to pursue narrative coordination and creative project management, as well as become a published author. Ian hopes to create immersive stories and experiences that inspire and bring joy to all. This summer, he will be interning at the Evanston Art Center in Chicago, helping instruct and organize multidisciplinary arts courses and events to share with the local community.
Ella Stern (’28) is from Miami, Florida and majoring in Business Administration with a Writing for the Screen and Stage minor. With the support of the Arts Internship Honors Fellowship this summer, Ella will intern with Project X Entertainment in Los Angeles, supporting script coverage, creative discussions, and development research. Through this fellowship, she hopes to strengthen her screenwriting craft, gain meaningful industry experience, and bring new skills back to UNC’s creative community.
Lydia Xu (’29) is from Apex, North Carolina, and intends to major in Environmental Health Sciences with a double major in Biology and a minor in Studio Art. Her academic and creative interests center on sustainability, particularly sewing, material reuse, and environmentally conscious design. This summer, she plans to work with Echoes of the Forest in Asheville, North Carolina, researching the environmental and community impacts of salvaged storm‑fallen trees while also collaborating with their marketing team on festival planning and sponsorship initiatives.
Read more about the Arts Internship Honors Fellowship here.
Arts Internship Honors Fellowship contact: Gina Difino, (919) 962-9680, Gina_Difino@unc.edu
Communications and Public Affairs: (919) 445-8555, mediarelations@unc.edu
