Research & Insights / More Than an Internship: How BAI Builds Creative Leaders and Lifelong Connections

More Than an Internship: How BAI Builds Creative Leaders and Lifelong Connections

by Ally Keough

What if a summer internship goes beyond resume-building and instead builds confidence, community, and creative leadership? That is what Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) did for me.

BAI connects high school students with paid internships at leading arts and cultural organizations in their own communities giving hands-on experience alongside mentorship, real responsibility, and a place where our voices truly matter.

In Boston, BAI is built on Creative and Positive Youth Development meaning young people don’t just participate, they lead. Interns are invited to share ideas, take creative risks, and lead projects because our voices matter now, not someday. They don’t just learn how to work in the arts, but instead learn how to speak about their work, write about who we are, and step into every space with confidence. Along the way, interns build strong relationships with mentors, staff, and guest facilitators connections that often last long after the summer ends.

One of the most meaningful relationships I built was with Muadi B. Dibinga, BAI’s Executive Coach and founder of Own Your Story. Her workshops on self-affirmation and wellness helped me see myself differently as someone with a powerful voice and perspective. We stayed in touch long after the program ended. That kind of continued support is what makes BAI more than just a summer program, it's a community.

My Journey Through BAI

I applied to be an intern for BAI in the summer of 2021, when I was 17. At the time, I was just hoping for a fun, creative opportunity and I had no idea how deeply it would shape me.

Back then, I wasn’t sure how to connect my passion for mental health awareness with my artistic interests in a way that felt meaningful. But that summer, surrounded by a supportive team and a group of passionate peers, I started to figure it out. I was prepared to start my college career, while learning how to stay connected to my artistic routes.

Because of the mentorship and networking opportunities I received, I stayed connected with BAI long after my internship ended. In 2024, I returned as a BAI Alumni Council member, bringing the same energy and encouragement to the interns that I once received. The next school year, I also served as the BPS Arts Expansion Program Assistant at EdVestors balancing college life with continued work in youth development.

And now, in summer 2025, I returned once again this time as a BAI Program Assistant. It’s been a full-circle moment, supporting the next generation of interns with the same care and intention that once shaped me. I carry forward the values BAI taught me: collaboration, creativity, and presence. And I hope the interns I work with walk away feeling just as seen and supported as I did.

Youth Development in Action at BAI

What makes CYD and PYD real at BAI is that they show up in everything. It’s in how staff invite interns’ ideas, how they encourage creative risks, and how they treat young people like leaders not someday, but now.

Whether it’s bringing interns to Boston City Hall to meet changemakers, or showcasing their work at the Final Celebration, BAI helps students see the impact of their voices and creativity. Every part of the program is designed to help young people feel proud of themselves and what they can do.
For me, every stage intern, alum, and full-time staff deepened my understanding of what it means to lead with purpose. BAI showed me that I can be creative in any space I step into. And as someone planning to work in the mental health field, I now see how I can carry these values with me wherever I go.

Looking Forward

As I look ahead, my hope is that BAI continues to be a space where young creatives feel seen, heard, and supported where professional growth and artistic exploration go hand in hand. Because of BAI, I have been able to grow into a leader, a mentor, and someone who knows how powerful it is to give back to the same communities that supported you.

No matter where I go next, I’ll always be a proud BAI alum.