Mentor Program Application | Garrison Art Center

2026 MENTOR PROGRAM

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We are currently accepting applications for our 2026 Mentor Program, which runs from December 8, 2025 – March 29, 2026. This program gives dedicated high school students an opportunity to be paired with a professional artist in the pursuit of furthering their development in an area of special interest. This unique pairing has enabled students to challenge themselves in a deeper exploration of a medium in which they already have proficiency and to gain insight from the professional life experience of their mentor. Please be reminded that this program is designed for students who can work independently and follow through on their commitment.

The program culminates with a group exhibition of the students’ work in one of the professional galleries of the Art Center. In order to give each student the desired amount of gallery space, we limit the number of accepted students. Students will be selected on the merits, strength, and clarity of their proposals. Our Mentor Program has become very competitive, so applicants need to be thorough in describing their interests and goals for this program. In the past we have accepted the following disciplines for the program: drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, pottery, photography, character development/storyboarding, textiles, mosaic, and collage. Students will be notified to let them know if they have been accepted into the program or not.

Students need to submit their application on our website no later than October 20. There is a non-refundable application fee of $30.

We launch the program at a mandatory “Meet and Greet” session on Monday, December 8, from 5 – 6pm on Zoom. This is a valuable meeting covering program information, timeline, and mentor/student introductions. Mentors and students must meet a minimum of 6 times during the 14-week period. Students are expected to meet up with their mentor with samples of their work and specific ideas to be discussed within the first week of the program.

Application and $30 fee due: October 20, 2025

Meet and Greet on Zoom: Monday, December 8, from 5 – 6 pm

Deliver work ready to hang: Tues March 10, 2026, between 10 am – 7 pm, and Weds March 11, 9 am -11 am

Exhibition: March 14 - March 29, 2026

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 14th, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

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2026 Mentor Program Application

First name

Last name

What are your preferred pronouns?

Email (please don't use your school email if possible)

Phone

Date of Birth

If accepted, do we have permission to use your name and images of you and your work for promotional reasons?

Yes

What city/town do you live in?

Grade

9th

10th

11th

12th

What high school do you attend?

Who is your art teacher?

Parent/Guardian Email

Parent/Guardian Phone Number

Use the space below to describe your project ideas including the medium/media you feel most competent using. Your acceptance into the program is based on the merits of this proposal and admittance is NOT guaranteed. Please be thorough in describing your goals. Remember this is not a project to learn something new but one for advancement of existing skills. If you would like to include images, please email them to education@garrisonartcenter.org

PROPOSAL

If I am accepted, I understand I must be responsible for initiating contact, cooperating with my mentor, following the program's timeline, and respecting the guidelines of the project.

Yes

Mentor Program Application

$30