Applications Open: October 1st, 2024-December 1st, 2024

Selected Mentees & Mentors Will Be Notified: December 15th, 2024

CAL's mentorship program is designed to increase accessibility to meaningful engagement with the arts for underserved populations, specifically High School artists, in the Columbia area community.

This program runs from January-May 2025 with a culminating exhibition in July 2025. Throughout the program, selected students will attend professional development workshops to learn how to keep a good art practice, social media advice for their art and even framing & exhibiting artwork.

Selected student artists will also be paired with a working professional artist in their desired media category: Sculpture, Drawing/Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Fibers or Digital Media. Pairs will meet in person at least twice monthly to problem solving and time to make.

With the guidance and support of their mentor, each student is expected to develop a small portfolio of work which reflects their exploration of a concept or theme.

Admission to this program is based on a demonstrated passion for fine art production and a deep commitment to growing, learning, and furthering their goals as an artist. CAL aims to pair students with top quality professional artists in our community who are actively producing work and make a living in the arts.

Selected Mentees can only participate in the Mentorship Program one time to allow new participants each year. This program is for juniors & seniors in highschool in the Columbia area.

We believe a well-designed mentorship program can have a deep and lasting impact on students’ lives. The thoughtful pairing of an interested student with a caring adult who is passionate about their field can be beneficial for the student as well as the mentor. Working one on one with a caring professional artist, protégés gain self-confidence, commitment to task, and a feeling of creative accomplishment.  For the mentors, helping to nurture young talent can be highly rewarding and strengthen their own commitment to and engagement with community.

Please email Mary Sandbothe: mary@columbiaartleague.org with questions