The College hosted its inaugural luncheon celebrating the Wayne and Lucretia Weiner Arts Internship Program

The program funds internships for FAU Arts and Letters majors to work directly with nonprofit arts organizations – including museums, theaters, and music institutions – across Palm Beach and Broward counties. The luncheon brought together program benefactors Wayne and Lucretia Weiner, Florida Atlantic President Adam Hasner, student interns, faculty mentors, and representatives from participating organizations to recognize the launch of this collaborative effort.

Designed to bridge academic study and professional practice, the WLW Arts Internship Program connects students with hands-on experiences tailored to the needs of partner organizations. Internships are flexible in structure and duration, typically aligned with academic semesters, and may be extended when mutually beneficial.

“Our students pursue degrees in the arts as pathways to meaningful careers,” said WLW Arts Internship Program Director Kevin Wilt. “This initiative ensures they gain real-world experience while contributing to organizations that are vital to our region’s cultural life.”

Participating organizations benefit from dedicated student support in areas such as arts administration, marketing, production, and community engagement – expanding their capacity to serve audiences and advance their missions.

Situated in the culturally active South Florida region, FAU is uniquely positioned to serve as a central connector between emerging artists and a wide network of arts organizations. The WLW Arts Internship Program reflects a long-term investment in that ecosystem, supporting workforce development while enhancing access to the arts across South Florida.

The inaugural luncheon marked not only a celebration of current partnerships, but the beginning of a growing initiative aimed at fostering sustained collaboration between the university and the nonprofit arts sector. Organizations interested in participating are encouraged to connect with FAU to learn more about future opportunities.