TEEN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Participate in an after-school 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 students from New York City DOE high 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.

2024 Summer Partners Included:

Bronx: Participating NYC high school: Bronx High School of Science 

Brooklyn: CAMBA, Center for Family Life (Sunset Park), Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Police Athletic League—and participating NYC high schools: Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences, Midwood High School, Brooklyn High School of the Arts, Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment

Manhattan: Union Settlement, Police Athletic League, The Boys’ Club of New York (Abbe Clubhouse), Grand Street Settlement (Seward Park)—and participating NYC high schools: High School of Art and Design, City College Academy of the Arts, High School of Fashion Industries, Richard R. Green High School of Teaching, Manhattan Academy for Arts and Language, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Churchill School

Queens: Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Sunnyside Community Services, Police Athletic League—and participating NYC high schools: Francis Lewis High School, Forest Hills High School, Townsend Harris High School, Queens Technical High School

Future Partners

If you are a New York City public high school interested in joining our Studio Institute partner community, we’d love to connect with you! Contact us at TAP@studioinst.org

Hear what teens have to say about their summer TAP experience.


 

Eligibility

TAP is open to New York City DOE high school students at least 16 years. 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, 2025 

  • Have an interest in art 

  • Have an interest in working with children  

  • Commit to both the spring apprenticeship and the paid summer job. 

Key dates and information

  •  No prior experience is necessary to participate.

  • Teens earn $16 per hour working up to 25 hours per week.

  • The 2025 spring apprenticeship begins February 13 and ends June 5, 2025. 

  • Weekly sessions will be held on Thursdays from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in February and March and on Tuesdays from the end of April to the end of May. 

  • Classes take place in-person at a site (TBD) in Manhattan.

  • Teens earn $16 per hour working up to 25 hours per week.
    Summer internships begin July 7 and end August 15, 2024.
    (Note: Dates are subject to change.) 

Please check back in January for more information about the TAP spring and summer 2025 program.

Have questions?

Reach out to TAP@studioinst.org