Real-World Experience

internships
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities

Explore the possibilities for your future career in the arts. 

de Laski Performing Arts Building
Visit your future
Visit your future

Discover all Mason has to offer. Schedule a tour or attend one of our events.

Be Treated as a Professional as You Become One

College of Visual and Performing Arts programs create artistic professionals ready to work upon graduation.

When you leave our stage for a new one, you won't enter the job market unprepared. As a student, you'll get real-world training that will impress future employers.

In the Fall of 2023, Mason Master of Art Teaching student, Emely Ramos, painted a 209 ft long x 7 ft tall mural featuring a series of iconic women throughout different periods of fashion for Tysons Corner Center, called Icons of Fashion. These notable figures are displayed in a runway format to showcase their memorable outfits. Tysons is the most "high-profile" client Murals at Mason has worked with so far, and the commission was only Emely's second (and the largest) mural she has done so far.
In the Fall of 2023, Mason Master of Art Teaching student, Emely Ramos, painted a 209 ft long x 7 ft tall mural featuring a series of iconic women throughout different periods of fashion for Tysons Corner Center, called Icons of FashionThese notable figures are displayed in a runway format to showcase their memorable outfits. Tysons is the most "high-profile" client Murals at Mason has worked with so far, and the commission was only Emely's second (and the largest) mural she has done so far.
In the summer of 2022, senior, Sonja Phillips-Thomas (Film and Music double major), interned at National Geographic Society Washington D.C. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/ George Mason University
In the summer of 2022, senior Sonja Phillips-Thomas (Film and Music double major), interned at National Geographic Society Washington D.C. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/ George Mason University.
Mason student Mirella Guzman-Escobar, studying Graphic Design at the School of Art, interned at House Creative Services, Chief Administrative Officer at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University
Mason student Mirella Guzman-Escobar, studying Graphic Design at the School of Art, interned at House Creative Services, Chief Administrative Officer at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

From master classes to internships, portfolio and audition training to off-campus work partnerships and entrepreneurship-based courses, you'll have access to experiences that will make your résumé sing. Students who take advantage of these opportunities discover they're qualified for many fulfilling careers, whether they follow a traditional path or blaze their own trails. 

We encourage all CVPA students to ask, "Did I make my education count for me?"

George Mason University rising senior Alexandra “Ali” Coburn is an arts management major who loves working on and off the stage.
Ali Coburn poses at Atlas Theater in Washington, D.C. where she works throughout the year. Photo by Ron Aira/George Mason University.

Arts Management major and rising senior Alexandra “Ali” Coburn loves working on and off the stage. In 2023, she was needing to complete volunteer hours for the Intro to Arts Management course and Erin Feng, the executive director of Capital City Symphony offered her an internship. Coburn’s responsibilities include creating content for their social media pages, various writing assignments, and designing their quarterly newsletter. Coburn designed the company’s first newsletter in five years. Read more about Ali's experience.

Behind The Scenes
Behind The Scenes

Mason Alumni work at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, a natural setting for more than 100 performances across all genres every summer.

Arts, Media, and Design Internship and Career Fair

CVPA’s annual Arts, Media, and Design Internship and Career Fair offers a special opportunity for CVPA students and alumni to network with the top arts, entertainment and media employers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. This expo-style event held each February is attended by recruiters from the top non-profit and for-profit arts, design, and media employers in DC, MD and VA. Previous years' recruiters have included:

  • Ford's Theatre
  • PBS
  • John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Torpedo Factory Art Center
  • Voice of America
  • Round House Theatre
  • Joy of Motion Dance Center
  • WETA
  • Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
  • the American Film Institute
  • Shakespeare Theatre Company

The event also includes a series of presentations and Q&A sessions on special topics related to professional development in the visual and performing arts. Past sessions have included sessions on crowdfunding and how to apply visual and performing arts degrees in sectors outside of the arts.

Mason student Jaques Lykes majored in Film and Video studies interning at House Creative Services, Chief Administrative Officer at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington DC. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University
Film and Video Studies major Jacques Lykes interned at House Creative Services, Chief Administrative Officer at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

Internship and Career Resources

No matter which field you're in, Mason and CVPA can provide guidance towards the perfect career path. Explore some of the organizations and services we have on campus that can help you get the experience you need, or discover exciting opportunities:

Film and Video Studies major Sami Saab interned at DC Camera. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Strategic Communications
Film and Video Studies major Sami Saab interned at DC Camera. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Strategic Communications

External Databases

Discipline-Specific Opportunities

Find more information about available internships and career options through our programs' websites: