En Español
This program offers Lane County middle and high school students apprenticeship opportunities in graphic, digital, and physical design. Students pair with a professional designer, working alongside their mentor to understand the profession, explore specific ways to approach design, and begin creating on their own. In addition to learning a creative practice, students also explore the business of a creative career, bolstering college and career readiness regardless of their chosen field.
The apprenticeship program:
- Pairs 3-4 students with an artist mentor, for a total of 25 after-school hours over a 10 week period for intensive, direct learning.
- Supports students in creating a hands-on project that can be presented or demonstrated at the end of the term.
- Introduces business aspects of a creative career.
- Provides students professional training opportunities through workshops and community talks with international designers.
Professional artists, designers, educators and arts organizations are working together to guide students who may be considering a career in design or another creative field. Whether or not students pursue these careers, the apprenticeship experience will help them cultivate workplace skills they can utilize in any profession.
Past mentors have brought experience in wood and metal design, fashion design, graphic design, digital projection, 3D rendering, ceramics, and electrical engineering.
Location
Apprenticeship groups will meet in Eugene unless otherwise noted in the mentor descriptions. Most groups will meet at 942 Olive St., the University of Oregon’s Innovation Hub. Other groups may meet at the mentor’s studio.
Weekly schedule
Weekly 2-2.5 hour meetings will be determined by the apprentices and mentors at the Kickoff event.
Pay What You Can
Our Design Arts Apprenticeship program provides invaluable experiences for students of all backgrounds, and accessibility is central to our program model. To avoid any barriers to participation due to cost, we ask that families assess the value of the program relative to their budget and make a financial contribution at the end of each term. This support from participants helps us maintain the quality and longevity of our apprenticeships for future students and families.
Important Dates for 24-25 Apprenticeship program
Fall Apprenticeship
- Applications due by: September 30th
- Kickoff Event (virtual): October 7th, 6-7 pm
- 10-Week Apprenticeship*: October 14th-January 10th (no meetings 11/25-29 or 12/23-1/3)
- Final Showcase: January 10th 5-7:30pm (at Spark on 7th in Eugene)
Winter Apprenticeship
- Applications due by: January 8th
- Kickoff Event (virtual): January 13th 6-7 pm
- 10-Week Apprenticeship*: January 20th-April 4th (no meetings 3/24-3/28)
- Final Showcase: April 4th 5-7:30pm (at Spark on 7th in Eugene)
Spring Apprenticeship
- Applications due by: April 7th
- Kickoff Event (virtual): April 14th 6-7 pm
- 10-Week Apprenticeship*: April 21st-June 27th
- Final Showcase: June 27th, 5-7:30pm (at Spark on 7th in Eugene)
This program is a partnership with the University of Oregon Department of Product Design and is supported in part by awards from the Oregon Community Foundation and WLS Spencer Foundation. In kind contributions are also provided by Opal Center for Arts & Education and Connected Lane County.