Consider your time as a donation to an organisation you work for, an investment in your future relationship with them on which you can expect some kind of return, even if not financial, and even if not immediate.

You might get:

• Access to contacts within the art world, formally or informally
• Trust from the organisations you work with
• Increased reputation in the art world
• Experience working in different contexts
• In some circumstances, a voluntary position may lead to a paid post

Remember also that volunteers and interns are among the most important part of the art world, since without their labour most organisations would be unable to function.  You can still ask for a letter of agreement or contract to cover your internship or voluntary period, and can stipulate in this what the benefits to you will be at the end.

There is more information on good practice for Internships in this paper and an interesting conversation on how useful Internships can be on Artquest Money Talks blog.

• earn money
• profit
• volunteer
• fee
• working professionally