Teen Arts Mentorship
30+ years of providing creative opportunities to the teens of Santa Barbara County.
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The Teen Arts Mentorship Program is a county-wide, 30+ year old arts enrichment and career development program that offers students ages 13-18 the unique opportunity to work closely with industry professionals and master artists in a studio environment. Working in small groups, students spend over 30 hours producing a portfolio of work to be exhibited and sold in The Arts Fund Community Gallery or performed in a public venue.
Students acquire specific art-making skills, and exhibition and/or performance experience, and are introduced to the aesthetic styles and career choices of artists in our community. The master artists become role models and references for students as they consider advanced studies in the arts.
All Santa Barbara County high school students ages 13-18 are eligible to apply to one or more mentorships in their area.
Over 30+ years, we’ve worked with:
We believe all students should have access to mentorship, regardless of their race, gender, background, and socioeconomic status.
Teen Arts Mentorship Application
Mentorship applications are currently CLOSED. Questions? Email us at info@artsfundsb.org.
Check back soon for more information, and follow our Instagram @artsfundsb and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date!
Creative Expression with Typewriters
Thursdays 4pm – 7pm & Saturdays 10am – 1pm, 9/12-11/9
South County Mentorship with Simon Kiefer
Use vintage typewriters to express yourself with poetry/creative writing, and elaborate on your writing by incorporating visual elements.
- Explore the interplay of words and images;
- Create collages, chapbooks, zines, and more;
- Exhibit at The Arts Fund Gallery; and
- Perform your writing at the exhibit opening!
Expressive Figure Drawing
Mondays 4pm – 6:30pm & Fridays 4pm – 6:30pm, 9/16-10/25
South County Mentorship with Austin Raymond & Chiara Corbo
In this course we will learn to draw the human figure and form an understanding of how anatomy works. Participants will explore what makes a compelling piece by utilizing line weight, composition, and shading to elevate the figure into a work of art.
- Practice drawing from life with clothed models & capture realistic poses;
- Develop skills to convey emotion and dynamic action;
- Integrate traditional techniques with your own artistic voice; and
- Exhibit at The Arts Fund Gallery!
Why join a mentorship?
Arts improve academic performance
Students engaged in the arts have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, college-going rates and lower drop-out rates, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Arts Spark Creativity & Innovation
Creativity is among the top 5 applied skills sought by business leaders, with 72% saying creativity is of high importance when hiring. Noble Laureates in the sciences are 17% more likely to be actively engaged in the arts than their peers.
Teen Arts Mentorship Alumni Are
Creative | Collaborative | Risk-Takers | Lifelong Learners | Innovators
“Being able to communicate with a professional artist was an experience I never thought I would be able to have in high school, and The Arts Fund made it possible. This priceless program is a gem, and something l will always count as a major stepping stone in my creative career.”
2013 Teen Arts Mentorship Student
“I loved that we had a real hands on experience in a dark room, and that there was more trial and error learning, like my mentor wasn’t holding my hand through every step but was there to give instruction and advice.”
Alex Shennum, 2005 Photography Mentorship
“Without the Teen Arts Mentorship program, I wouldn’t be nearly as involved in Santa Barbara’s art community. It felt like being taken seriously as an individual and an artist, and showed that what I’d always thought of as a hobby had the potential to be my livelihood.”
Ceilidh Birkhahn, 2015-2018 Mentorship Student
“I honestly do not know what awaits me in the future, but I believe that I will still be creating art. After being part of this mentorship I feel more confident and inspired to pursue art on a more professional level. As I think about the future, I would love to be an art teacher and be able to inspire other young artists.”
Alexa Villela, 2018 “What’s Next?” Mentorship
As you know, I won two scholarships from the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. I am currently working on my non-profit organization, and I have been able to use some of the skills I was taught in the program to teach the residents of the retirement home that I am working with. […] So thank you for letting me be a part of the mentorship program!
Aiyana, 2016 Teen Arts Mentorship Student
“My experience was great, there are no words to truly say how happy I am with myself after the class ended. I am more motivated and informed about my options after high school.”
Keren Chi, 2019 Singing Mentorship
PAST MENTORSHIPS
3D Printing
Screenwriting
Singing in Theatre
Gallery/Exhibition Training
Landscape Painting
Abstract Painting
Japanese Woodblock Printing
Filmmaking
Darkroom Photography
Creative Writing
Ink Wash Drawing
Typography
Mural Design
Screenprinting
Classical Drawing
Collage Printmaking
Poetry
Drawing
Character Illustration
Assemblage
Metal Sculpture
Interactive Media
Kinetic/Robotic Sculpture
Watercolor Painting
Monotype Printmaking
Alternative Process Photography
Relief Printmaking
Stone Carving
Collage
College & Career Prep
And more!
2023 Mentorships
In 2023, The Arts Fund hosted 6 mentorships featuring students from 7 Santa Barbara County High Schools, serving over 60 students.
The mentorships included All Levels Hip-Hop Dance, Self Expression Through Painting, Musical Theater Ensemble, Page to Stage Poetry, Introduction to Music Production, and Traditional/Digital Art Mash-Up.
YOUR DONATION MATTERS
You can make a difference for The Arts Fund! Our generous donors help ensure that the arts continues to thrive in Santa Barbara County, and that students and professionals alike have the opportunities and resources to develop and share their passion for art and creativity.
Your donation helps create myriad opportunities to support local artists and businesses. By donating, you are directly investing in our youth and the future of a sustainable local arts community. Together, we can cultivate Santa Barbara County’s creative minds and continue to build a community on the foundation of empowerment, innovation, and success.
The Arts Fund offers a variety of donation options to suit your individual circumstances, from one-time individual donations to monthly payments to corporate giving. Read more on our support page, and make your donation count!