Where creativity meets opportunity
Artists at Work
Artists at Work is Maine College of Art & Design's career development program for students and alumni, equipping them with the professional skills, career guidance, and real-world experiences needed to build sustainable creative careers. Through personalized advising and experiential learning opportunities, we help artists turn their education into meaningful professional opportunities.
With our close-knit community of 500 students, faculty and staff work one-on-one with you to achieve your personal and professional goals, both inside and outside the classroom. Throughout the four-year curriculum, students learn about how their studio practice can translate into making a difference and making a living. Our support doesn't end at graduation. We are here for all of our alumni. As their careers grow and change, we grow with them.
Career Outcomes by the Numbers
Artists at Work has grown internship participation every year and connects every senior with working professionals, backed by a dedicated stipend fund.
- 35.3% of the Class of 2026 completed an internship, up from 25.3% for the Class of 2024, a 10-point increase in two years.
- $3,500 internship stipend is available through the Abbagadassett Foundation to help offset unpaid or low-paid creative internships.
- Portfolio Day connects every senior with industry professionals, including past representatives from Walt Disney Animation, Adult Swim, and 20th Television Animation.
- Lifetime alumni access: Artists at Work support continues after graduation, with no cutoff based on graduation year.
Career preparation is embedded directly into the curriculum, not offered as an optional add-on. Every senior takes Professional Studio Practice, a required course that Artists at Work has historically managed, designed to help students translate studio practice into professional practice. Juniors work with Artists at Work through Junior Seminar, culminating in an exhibition at 49 Oak, and students across programs can pursue credit-bearing internships, apply to the BioDesign Challenge in New York, or participate in the Art of Business class alongside working artist-entrepreneurs.
Artists at Work Initiatives
49 Oak
49 Oak presents student work and hosts activities tied to classroom projects, from popup shops to exhibitions. During summer months, programming focuses on work created by the College’s alumni network.
Internships
We encourage our students to participate in internships as a means of gaining real-world experience and a better understanding of potential career paths. Internships can be taken for studio elective credit, and students may apply for a $3,500 internship stipend through the Abbagadassett Foundation.
Career Counseling
Artists at Work offers individualized career counseling to students and alumni. To book a meeting, email artistsatwork@meca.edu
Resources & Opportunities
We are committed to keeping our community informed of professional development opportunities, including grants, fellowships, residencies, and other resources that support artistic and career growth.
Portfolio Day
Portfolio Day offers students the chance to share their portfolios with a broad spectrum of professionals, from creative directors to independent artists, local publishers, and in-house teams. Past participants have included representatives from Walt Disney Animation, Adult Swim, and 20th Television Animation. Maine College of Art & Design holds an in-person Portfolio Day in the Fall and a virtual Portfolio Day in the Spring.
Job Board
The Job Board helps students and alumni find creative work opportunities, and gives employers a direct way to connect with Maine College of Art & Design talent.
Above and Beyond Grant
Our Above and Beyond Grant helps currently enrolled BFA, MFA, and MAT students access structured opportunities and experiences that take them above and beyond the College's classrooms and facilities.
Career Guide
Current students and recent graduates can use this guide to help kickstart a career. Each section outlines practical steps, tips, and tools that can complement your education as you explore professional opportunities.
Professional Development
Artists at Work staff and guest speakers will facilitate sessions on networking, grants/residency applications, resumes and CVs, financial planning, and more!
What Makes Artists at Work Different
Artists at Work is built specifically for artists and designers, not adapted from a generic career services model. Because Maine College of Art & Design is a small, single-discipline college, Artists at Work staff work one-on-one with students and can tune advising to each person's specific practice and goals in a way that's harder to do at a larger, multi-major institution. Support extends beyond traditional job placement to exhibitions, residencies, grants, fellowships, commissions, freelance work, and entrepreneurship, starting on day one and continuing for as long as a student remains a Maine College of Art & Design alum.
Artists at Work also creates opportunities directly, through Portfolio Day, 49 Oak, internship partnerships, and grants, rather than only responding to requests as students come in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Artists at Work at Maine College of Art & Design?
Artists at Work is Maine College of Art & Design's career development program for students and alumni, offering personalized career advising, internship support, and professional development. It's built specifically for artists and designers rather than adapted from a general career services model. The program is embedded directly in the curriculum through the required Professional Studio Practice course and Portfolio Day, and it continues to support alumni for life, with no cutoff based on graduation year.
How many Maine College of Art & Design students complete an internship?
Internship participation has grown steadily: 35.3% of the Class of 2026 completed an internship, up from 26% for the Class of 2025 and 25.3% for the Class of 2024. Students pursuing internships can apply for a $3,500 stipend through the Abbagadassett Foundation to help offset unpaid or low-paid opportunities.
Are internships required to graduate from Maine College of Art & Design?
No. Internships are strongly encouraged and supported by Artists at Work, and students can earn academic credit for qualified internships, but they are not currently a graduation requirement. Every senior does complete Professional Studio Practice and Portfolio Day, which are required and provide structured career preparation regardless of internship status.