Creative Business Internship: Artist Assistant at Joseph Ijoyemi

Main Duties

• The main duties of the Artist Assistant will involve supporting the development and delivery of a multidisciplinary art practice through a combination of studio assistance, creative support, research, and project coordination. This role offers practical experience within a professional artistic environment and an insight into the day to day operations of a working artist’s practice.
• Key responsibilities may include:
• Preparing canvases, materials, and studio equipment for painting and installation work
• Assisting with painting, drawing, sculpture, and other creative production tasks
• Supporting the editing and organisation of video, sound, and digital content
• Documenting artworks and studio processes through photography, filming, and archiving
• Taking notes during meetings, studio discussions, and project development sessions
• Assisting with research for exhibitions, commissions, funding applications, and collaborations
• Updating and maintaining website content, including WordPress uploads and edits
• Supporting exhibition installs, deinstalls, studio organisation, and artwork transportation
• Assisting with the planning and logistics of events, workshops, performances, and public projects
• Helping maintain a clean, organised, and functional studio environment
• Providing general administrative and organisational support where needed

The role is collaborative and flexible, offering the opportunity to contribute ideas, develop practical skills, and gain first hand experience of navigating the contemporary art and cultural sector.

I’m looking for someone who is proactive, creative, and comfortable working within a fast paced, hands on artistic environment. Ideally, the person will have strong drawing skills and confidence using Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. Experience with WordPress would be beneficial, and any understanding of music or sound software would also be an advantage.

Strong communication and organisational skills are important, alongside a positive attitude, initiative, and the ability to adapt and problem solve independently. The role would suit someone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the creative industries, particularly within areas such as art direction, exhibition making, content creation, research, and project development.

This opportunity may be especially suited to a graduate or emerging creative from a visual arts, fine art, design, or multimedia background who is looking to gain practical industry experience, expand their professional network, and contribute meaningfully to an active multidisciplinary art practice.

About me

I’m a multidisciplinary artist working across sculpture, installation, painting, sound, and film. My practice explores storytelling, cultural heritage, identity, migration, and social experience, often using archives, materials, and sound to reframe history and create new conversations around memory and belonging. I’m interested in how different mediums can come together to create immersive and thought-provoking experiences, often blurring the boundaries between visual art, sound, research, and community engagement.

Alongside my independent practice, I’ve collaborated with institutions including the Royal Museums Greenwich, Peabody, and other cultural organisations on public art commissions, exhibitions, workshops, and community led projects. I also work with brands and collaborators on projects that use art as a tool for communication, storytelling, and cultural connection. Much of my work centres underrepresented voices and lived experiences, creating spaces for dialogue, reflection, and shared understanding through contemporary art.

www.josephijoyemi.com

https://www.instagram.com/mrjosephyemiart/

What will the internship offer the student and what will they learn while they are with you? E.g. skills they could learn/develop and experience they could gain.

I will offer the intern direct insight and mentorship into the day to day realities of a multidisciplinary artist’s practice. You will have the opportunity to work closely with me across live projects, from preparing canvases, sketching, painting, and editing short-form content for social media, to participating in project meetings and supporting works from concept through to execution across sculpture, installation, and sound based practices.

The intern will develop practical studio skills while also engaging in research, archiving, and the behind the scenes processes of exhibition planning, documentation, and project development. There will be a strong focus on creativity, critical thinking, and understanding how to sustain and manage a professional artistic practice.

You will also gain valuable experience navigating the cultural sector, including liaising with institutions, supporting logistics, and understanding collaborative working processes. Throughout the placement, the intern will receive ongoing guidance and mentorship within an environment that is supportive, challenging, and encouraging, helping them build confidence in both their ideas and their own artistic voice.

Disability Confident Employer

We can confirm that we are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1-3) who can welcome a wide-range of disabled applicants within our level of training.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their race, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and caring responsibility. We are committed to offering a working environment where everyone is valued and feels appreciated.