Mentorship program: Student application

Thank you so much for your interest in participating in CAL’s Mentorship Program, 2025.

We hope to create an experience that is personally meaningful to each student and helps them to reach their own individual artistic goals.

Selected student artists will be paired with a working professional artist in their desired media category (Sculpture, Drawing/Painting, Printmaking, Fibers, Photography and Digital Media). 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.

The program runs from January-May and culminates with an exhibition in July in our South Gallery space. We offer professional development workshops that are mandatory for mentees twice during the program.

Admission to this program is based on a demonstrated passion for fine art production and a deep commitment to growing, learning, and furthering your 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. This is a unique apprenticeship opportunity, and student commitment and enthusiasm is paramount to the success of each mentorship ensemble.

Our success depends largely on pairing students with the right mentor. In order to help us make the best matches, please tell us more about yourself.

CAL's mentorship program is for students ages 13-17 and selected mentees can only participate ONCE to allow new mentees each year.

Please complete the form below

Name

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth

Email Address

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

School & Current Grade Level

Please indicate your desired media category from the following options

Painting and Drawing Ceramics and Sculpture Printmaking Digital Media

Please tell us what your art is about.

Why are you interested in particpating in the program? What do you hope to gain from this experience?

Please describe any challenges you face, as well as what supports you have, for acheiving your artistic goals.

I understand that by submitting this application I am committing to meeting with my mentorship group on a bi-monthly basis, at a minimum, as well as spending additional time outside of the studio in order to build my portfolio or undertake an independent project with the help of my mentor. I understand that these studio sessions and meetings are crucial and should not be missed unless absolutely necessary. I also understand that I am responsible for contacting my mentor ahead of time in the event that I will not be able to attend a meeting or studio session due to illness or emergency.

Do you have access to trasportation after school and/or on weekends which would enable you to attend studio sessions at CAL (207 S. 9th Street), or meet with your mentor at various locations around the Columbia area? (Answering "no" to this question does not disqualify you from participation in the program, but lets us know that certain accommodations may need to be made.)

Yes

No

Once you've submitted this form, the Columbia Art League education director will contact you via email to confirm its receipt and request 3-5 images of you most recent artwork. thank you so much for your interest in the program and we look forward to working with you!

*Please have at least one teacher or adult who is close to you fill out a recommendation form for you. *

Teacher Recommendation Form