BOONE – Appalachian State University senior Maloree Sheets completed a semester-long internship with the National Endowment for the Arts this spring as part of the UNC in Washington Program at Appalachian. The opportunity has turned into a full-time job with the independent federal agency.

An art management major from Sparta, Sheets interned in the NEA’s Division of Music, Opera and Presenting. She helped with staff support in the selection of NEA grant recipients, including drafting project descriptions proposed by grant applicants, preparing archival materials, and meeting with representatives from other federal agencies. She has since accepted a full-time position as division specialist in the same area.

Sheets is the first student from Appalachian’s Department of Art to apply for and receive an internship at the NEA.

“This was a rare opportunity for one of our students to be placed in the largest governmental arts agency for grants,” said Dr. Jody Servon, assistant professor of art. “I am extremely proud of her accomplishments so far and expect a bright future for her.”

Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts. Believing that a great nation deserves great art, the agency brings art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities and military bases.

“I’m really passionate about the arts,” said Sheets, who plans a career in art development. “I really want to strengthen the presence of art in people’s everyday lives.”

While at Appalachian, Sheets worked at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts where she was introduced to art development by helping write a grant proposal with curators Hank Foreman and Brook Greene.

Sheets also worked for the university’s Catherine Smith Gallery and An Appalachian Summer Festival through the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs. She was the founding president of Appalachian’s Arts Management Club and consistently made the dean’s list.

Sheets graduates May 10 with a bachelor of science degree in art management with minors in art history and business. She is the daughter of Russell and Joan Sheets of Sparta.

The UNC in Washington Program provides an opportunity for upper-level students from The University of North Carolina’s constituent institutions to work and study in the nation’s capital for one semester while maintaining full-time enrollment status at their home institution. Students hold internships at Washington-based organizations such as political offices, governmental agencies, think tanks, non-profits, or advocacy and interest groups. In addition to the internship, interns also spend three hours each week in a class called The Washington Experience Seminar and pursue an independent study.

For more information, visit http://uncinwashington.appstate.edu/index.php.

###