Hi, my name is Eliza, and I was the fall Fundraising & Events Intern at SNPT! I was drawn to this position because it combined my avid interest in the outdoors and art. As a Foreign Affairs and Economics major at UVA, I also was interested in experiencing work at a nonprofit organization and its intersection with a government agency.
As I near the end of my internship, I wanted to reflect on my time with SNPT. I learned some valuable workplace skills – everything from working in a tight-knit office environment to using Microsoft platforms! I learned the complexities of federal grantmaking, and how to navigate this process in innovative ways towards a cause. Additionally, I observed the dedication it takes to maintain intricate relationships with members outside of the organization, such as donors, constituents, and NPS staff.
The focus of my internship began by appreciating the critical role art plays in conservation efforts through the history of the National Park System. I cataloged and collected data on all of the artists and donated artwork from ten years of the Artist-in-Residence program.
I assisted in the planning and setup of SNPT’s annual Art in the Park event in Shenandoah and had the opportunity to meet several of the artists. I researched other Residency programs across the country and recommended several improvements going forward.
Finally, with the help of Ember Heishman, I created an online gallery showcasing digitized versions of donated artwork from the residency program on the SNPT website. Through this work, I hope to have increased the visibility of the messages conveyed by the artwork from the Artist-in-Residene program.
I was grateful to be welcomed into the SNPT team during my internship and would especially like to thank Emily Chiles for her role as my supervisor. The team’s commitment and excitement about conservation and increasing Shenandoah’s accessibility was inspiring every day of the job. I am excited to take the lessons I have learned into my future career interests and follow what the Trust accomplishes in the future!