The City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture is seeking creative organizations, programs, and leaders to participate in the 2024 cohort of the Mayor's Creative Youth Corps (MCYC). MCYC is a pre-professional paid summer mentorship program aimed at youth interested in pursuing a career in arts and culture.
"We are looking for organizations and leaders who are interested in serving as host sites and leading professional development sessions for the MCYC," said a spokesperson from the Department of Arts & Culture.
As a host site, organizations will be paired with a mentee who will provide support to their summer programming or work. Additionally, host sites are expected to provide one professional development session for the entire MCYC cohort.
"We encourage organizations to consider hosting a mentee and providing a professional development session. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to Albuquerque's creative sector and support the development of talented young individuals," the spokesperson added.
The City will pay the MCYC youth a summer stipend for their work and commitment to the creative sector of Albuquerque. Interested organizations and leaders can submit their applications through the form found at http://tinyurl.com/yha73556. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2024.
High school students entering their junior or senior year, as well as recent graduates living in the Albuquerque metro area, will be eligible to apply for the MCYC later this spring. The program provides a safe and meaningful opportunity for creative youth to develop their skills, build a professional network, and prepare for their future careers.
In addition to their work at host sites, MCYC participants will collaborate on civic engagement projects focused on community building, arts access, and promoting youth voice.
"We believe in empowering our creative youth and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed. The MCYC not only offers mentorship and professional development opportunities but also allows participants to make a positive impact in their community," said the spokesperson.
The program will run from May 29 to July 26, with the exception of July 4. Those who are unable to serve as host sites but are interested in leading a professional development session are also encouraged to apply.
"We welcome individuals who are passionate about nurturing the next generation of artists and cultural leaders. If hosting a mentee is not feasible for your organization this year, we still encourage you to contribute by leading a professional development session," the spokesperson noted.
For any questions or inquiries, interested parties can reach out to Diana Delgado at [email protected]
Previous partner organizations that have participated in the MCYC include various City of Albuquerque departments, the Albuquerque Museum, Public Art, Explora, Railyards Market, Fuego Art Studio, Fourteenfifteen Gallery, FUSION, National Institute of Flamenco, T-Shirt Lab, The Children's Hour, Three Sister's Kitchen, Together 4 Brothers, and Working Classroom.
The City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture is excited to welcome new organizations and leaders to join the Mayor's Creative Youth Corps and contribute to the growth and development of Albuquerque's creative sector.
