Applications Now Open For Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program

​The 2025 Quad City Arts Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program is accepting applications through Friday, April 11. This program provides area youth ages 15-21 with five-week paid summer apprenticeships. These apprentices will create community arts projects that positively impact our community. This year’s projects include mural painting, mosaics, documentary filmmaking, and pop-up street performances. Interested applicants can apply online at www.quadcityarts.com/metro-arts.

This year’s Metro Arts program will start on Monday, June 9 and end on Thursday, July 10. Apprentices will meet for up to four hours Monday through Thursday. This year’s programs are meant to highlight accessibility in the arts with most of the programs geared toward entry level artists, where all supplies and equipment is provided by Quad City Arts and its partners.

“The Metro program strives to teach our apprentices both business and artistic skills, and to create works of art that engage the community in a meaningful way,” says Ben Gougeon, Events Coordinator at Quad City Arts and the Metro Arts administrator. “With a focus on public art, we can instill a sense of civic pride in our community and give our apprentices a lasting sense of ‘I made that. I have a stake here.’”

Metro Arts is also celebrating its 25th year in 2025, and plans are underway to celebrate the program on July 9th, including current students and alumni. “I talk with so many people around town who say, ‘I was in Metro! I did the mural on…’ The experience stays with our apprentices, and they will always leave a piece of themselves in the Quad Cities, even if they move away. It really does help to breed more engaged citizens who are willing to do the work to make
their communities a better place.”

More details about the Metro Arts 25th Anniversary Celebration and the specific projects will be available at a later date.

• DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECTS 
  Apprentices will work closely with independent filmmakers and educators to learn the art of documentary filmmaking and its process from start to finish. Apprentices will craft short form documentaries, from script to screen, exploring writing, filming, editing, and sound design. Using professional gear and journalistic practices, you'll grasp film design principles applicable to feature length documentaries and short form content creation, including helping document and craft compelling multimedia stories about the Metro Arts program. 
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• MURAL PROJECTS 
  Under local professional muralists, apprentices collaborate with clients to design and paint vibrant murals around the Quad Cities. Apprentices will get feedback from clients on design elements, then work as a team of artists to create two or more concepts to be presented. Once a design has been approved by the client, the apprentices will spend 4 weeks painting the mural on-site. Note: These projects are likely to be outdoors, and require apprentices to spend extended time in the elements, including direct sun, extreme heat, humidity, rain, etc., and involve lifting and possible work on scaffolding or lifts. 
  
  
• MOSAIC PROJECT 
  Apprentices will work alongside professional artists to design and install a portion of a large scale public mosaic. Learning about materials, design, and techniques, apprentices will also learn to work with clients and public stakeholders on the creation of public art. Note: these projects are likely to be outdoors, and require apprentices to spend extended time in the elements, including direct sun, extreme heat, humidity, rain, etc., and involve lifting and possible work on scaffolding or lifts. Apprentices may also be required to use sharp materials and tools. 
  
  
• POP-UP PERFORMANCE PROJECT 
  Working with artists in theatre, music, and dance, apprentices will design, rehearse, and perform multiple pop-up performances in public spaces around the community. Both small and large scale works will be created, and apprentices will learn and incorporate elements of street theatre, guerilla theatre, flashmobs, choral singing, and dance to create dynamic, spontaneous performances that engage the community. 

Apply Today