TEEN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Participate in a spring apprenticeship program that can lead to a paid job teaching art this summer!
Background | Details | Eligibility | Gallery
Background
Since 2009, the Teen Apprenticeship Program (TAP) has offered high school students from New York City Public Schools an opportunity to obtain a paid internship teaching art to children in NYC summer camps.
TAP is an innovative way to explore careers in the arts and education, while learning how to lead younger children in art-making classes and enhancing your own creativity and art-making skills.
Details
The Teen Apprenticeship Program has two parts. During the spring, you will train as an apprentice with a Studio Institute artist instructor during weekly meetings held on Saturdays. You’ll learn the fundamentals of art making and prepare to lead classes for young learners. Instruction focuses on building your art-making skills, writing lesson plans, facilitating group conversations, and practicing teaching.
In addition, you will learn to develop good work habits and understand expectations of the workplace. Upon successful completion of the spring apprenticeship, you would qualify for a paid internship teaching visual art to elementary school children in New York City summer camps.
Hear what teens have to say about their summer TAP experience.
2025 Summer Partners Included:
Brooklyn: CAMBA, Center for Family Life (Sunset Park), Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Police Athletic League—and participating NYC high schools
Manhattan: Police Athletic League, Grand Street Settlement (Seward Park)—and participating NYC high schools
Queens: The Boys’ Club of New York, Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Sunnyside Community Services, Police Athletic League—and participating NYC high schools
Future Partners
Contact us at TAP@studioinst.org if:
You are a New York City public high school interested in learning more about this opportunity for your eligible students.
You are interested in having our high school interns work at your summer camp.
Eligibility
TAP is open to high school students from New York City Public Schools who are at least 16 years old. You should have an interest in teaching art to young children, ages 5–10.
Teens selected for this program must:
Be 16 years old or older by July 1, 2026
Have an interest in art
Have an interest in working with children
Commit to both the spring apprenticeship and the paid summer job.
No prior experience is necessary to participate.
The 2026 spring apprenticeship will begin in February and end in early June. Exact dates TBD.
Weekly sessions are typically held on Saturdays. Students who are selected can choose a morning slot (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) or an afternoon slot
(1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.). Sessions include Tuesdays in May.Teens earn $16.50 per hour working up to 25 hours per week in the summer. Summer internships will begin in early July and end in mid-August 2026.
(Note: Dates are subject to change.)
Key dates and information
2026 Teen Apprenticeship Program
Check back in November 2025 for information about the 2026 program.
Have questions?
Reach out to TAP@studioinst.org
TAP 2026 Mentor Positions
Please check back in Spring 2026 when applications reopen.
Gallery
