• NYC Salt Mentor Program Application

    NYC Salt Mentor Program Application

    Thank you for your interest in serving NYC Salt. Your time and service to us is extremely valuable. Please fill out these questions so that we can process your application.

  • Program Overview

    The NYC Salt Mentorship Program pairs high school photography students with experienced creative professionals for a year-long, hands-on collaboration. Meeting twice a month after school at the NYC Salt studio, each mentor–mentee pair will work together to develop and produce a photo or video project from concept to completion.

    Through artistic coaching, shared exploration, and personalized guidance, mentors help students expand their technical skills, refine their visual storytelling, and build confidence in their creative voice.

    At the end of the program, each student will present their final work—either as a printed zine or a short video piece—showcasing their unique perspective. These projects will be featured in a public exhibition, celebrating both the students’ achievements and the collaborative spirit of mentorship at NYC Salt.

    Program Timeline:
    Start Date: Week of October 5th, 2026
    End Date: Second week of June 2027
    Frequency: Twice a month after school
    Time: 4:00–6:00 pm

    Breaks:
    Winter Break: December 24, 2026 – January 4, 2027
    Mid-Winter Break: February 15–19, 2027
    Spring Break: April 22–30, 2027

    Program Goals:

    1. Skill Development: Advance students’ technical knowledge in photography, video, and storytelling.
    2. Mentorship & Guidance: Foster meaningful personal and professional relationships between emerging artists and established professionals in the creative industry.
    3. Creative Confidence: Empower students to take ownership of their projects and artistic vision.
    4. Professional Experience: Provide real-world deadlines, project planning, and exhibition preparation experience.
    5. Public Recognition: Showcase student work in a curated exhibition attended by peers, parents, educators, and industry professionals.

    Program Structure & Timeline

    September – October 2026

    • Mentor orientation and student-mentor pairing.
    • Introductory sessions on brainstorming, concept development, and goal-setting.

    November – December 2026

    • Early project development.
    • Initial shoots and media collection.

    January – February 2027

    • Mid-project reviews.
    • Technical workshops (editing, layout for zines, post-production for video).

    March – April 2027

    • Project refinement.
    • Preparing exhibition assets (prints, zine proofs, video exports).
    • Peer critique sessions.

    May 2026

    • Final edits and exhibition prep.
    • Public exhibition: last week of May, beginning of June 2027.

    Final Deliverables:

    • Student-created project: Printed zine or short video piece.
    • Public Exhibition: Displayed at the NYC Salt Studio or a partnered gallery space, open to the community.
    • Digital Archive: Online showcase of all projects for future reference and promotion.

    Expected Outcomes:

    • Increased technical skills and creative self-expression among high school students.
    • Meaningful mentor–mentee relationships that strengthen the NYC Salt community.
    • Portfolio-ready projects showcasing students’ growth and artistic voice.

  • Personal Information

  • Today's Date*
     - -
  •  -
  • Did you go to college? (We ask so we have a record of alumni for our students to refer to as they choose where they want to go.)*
  • Do you have a master's degree or other professional trade training?*

  • Volunteer Information

    Because we work with kids, we need to ask the following questions:
  • 1. It is expected that at least 1 hour each week be set aside for interaction specific to the mentoring relationship (according to the position description), and meeting with the student in person for editing. Will it be possible for you to provide the expected time?*
  • 2. Within the past 10 years, have you been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor classified as an offense against a person or family, or an offense of public indecency or a violation involving a stat/federally controlled substance?*
  • 3. Are you under current indictment or has a district/county attorney accepted an official complaint for any of the offenses in question #2?*

  • References

  • Please provide the information for two personal references.

  •  -
  •  -

  • Additional Information

  • Examples of your Work

    We would like to see examples of your work. Please provide a professional Instagram Handle and/or website if you have one.

  • Browse Files
    Cancelof

  • In making this application to be a volunteer, I understand that the NYC Salt routinely performs criminal and driving record checks on all volunteers. By signing below, I agree this check be performed. If I fail to sign, it may be grounds for rejecting me as a volunteer. Furthermore, I certify to the best of my ability that the information provided on this application is true and accurate. I also understand that misinformation knowingly provided here, and on subsequent volunteer forms, is grounds for dismissal.

  • Should be Empty: