Details
Grades 9-12
Free
Starts October, 2024
Mondays
High school students in grades 9-12 join a design team led by professional artists to create real-world art projects. Learn career skills and build community connections. Made for students interested in an arts career.
How It Works
Every Monday students meet at ECAT and learn how to create professional artwork for a client.
Clients hire ECAT students to create an art or design project. Students create and install the design to the client’s specifications while learning career skills.
Past projects have included community murals, photo exhibits, public sculptures and hanging art shows.
Program Details
There is no cost to attend the Teen Arts Career program.
Applications open September 16, 2024
Our classes are open to anyone in grades 9-12 living in Erie County, but we do give priority to Erie School District students with socio-economic need.
After completing the application form, a staff member will review your application and respond to confirm your enrollment. If you have questions, please contact us at art@eriecat.org.
Classes take place in the ECAT Wayne Building. Transportation is not provided.
Learn Design and Career Skills
Learn how professional artists and designers work with a client to create projects and solve problems. Learn to test your ideas with client feedback and design projects that clients will be happy with and pay you for.
Being a great artist doesn’t always mean people will hire you. Employers want to work with someone who communicates well, has real-world experience and knows how to work in a team. The Teen Arts Career program gives you that experience. In addition to art skills, you’ll learn budgeting, project management, art installation and how to build a portfolio.
You’ll also learn what it’s like to work in a creative field. Unlike working for yourself, working for a client means listening to what they want and solving their problems. This experience will help you plan your future career.
Past Project
East Ave. Community Mural
In a past Teen Arts Career project, students created a community mural.
Plan
Students first met with the building owner and learned about their needs. Students then researched the neighborhood, identified a community issue, developed a budget and created a project management plan.
Prototype
Students created multiple designs and received client feedback throughout the process until they arrived at the final design.
Install
Students created the mural on poly-tab panels then installed using a lift. Students learned how to plan, paint and install a mural from professional artists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is transportation to and from ECAT provided?
No. On days we go on field trips, ECAT transports students from ECAT to the field trip location, then back to ECAT.
Will food be provided?
Small snacks are available from 4-5 PM.
I have a job or other conflicts and will not be able to make it to every class. Can I still attend?
The Teen Arts Career program requires 85% attendance, meaning students can only miss 3 class sessions.
Request a class
Have a suggestion for class you want to take? Submit a request.
