In collaboration with the community, young adults, 14 through 19 years old, are hired for 6 weeks each summer and 12 weeks in the fall and spring to work as apprentices with some of the region's most notable artists.

Working with our partnering Arts Teaching Organizations and their Teaching Teams, we create a curriculum which teaches not only the artistic discipline, but also the business of being an artist. Working on commissioned artwork, apprentices have the experience of meeting their clients, preparing a project budget, and seeing their work installed.

Definitely not your average job, St. Louis ArtWorks is an innovative way for teens to gain life skills, boost self-esteem and pocket a hard-earned paycheck.

Artwork produced by the Apprentices is sold at a public sale, commissioned for public and private clients, and performed publicly. Apprentices take away a lasting set of experiences, as well as a resume and portfolio of real work and references.