Since the summer of 2000, Metro Arts has provided area
teenagers (15-19 years old) with paid summer apprenticeships
in various arts disciplines. The goal of the program is to simultaneously provide opportunities for youth and enhance the community through the arts.

Program Overview

For five weeks, approximately seventy students work together in groups to complete art projects under the supervision and mentoring of professional artists. They learn the artistic techniques and applications of their particular genre, while developing personally and professionally, gaining patience and self esteem, and learning responsibility and teamwork. As one printmaking apprentice said of their experience in the Metro Arts program last year, “I got to do something that I love and got paid for it. It is an awesome opportunity to enhance one’s skills.”

Each group works in one of several genres, which change from year to year. Learn more about what participants will be doing this year and in past years:

2007 Projects

In 2008, the projects will be:

Mural Design

Apprentices will develop designs individually, then collaborate
to create a single design with the end result being a painted mural; designs not used for the mural will be used to decorate items for the Final Apprentice Showcase 

Percussion Ensemble

Apprentices will learn a variety of techniques to play many different types of percussion instruments, create their own percussion instruments out of household items and perform at various venues throughout the Quad Cities

Poetry Chapbook

Apprentices will study a wide range of poetry, develop an overall theme for their project, then write, edit, critique and assemble a high-quality chapbook of their work to be sold at the Final Apprentice Showcase and Quad City Arts; they will also read their work at various locations throughout the Quad Cities

Applied Arts

Apprentices will learn a variety of methods for combining fine art and functionality by applying art and design media and principals to everyday items including tote bags, clothing, blankets, and vessels; the items will be sold at the Final Apprentice Showcase and Quad City Arts

Sculpture

Apprentices will create models of potential sculpture designs, which will be sold at the Final Apprentice Showcase, then decide on one or two designs for the group to create full-scale.  The sculpture(s) will be assembled by the group and made from recycled or other “green” materials