2026 McColl Center's Summer Apprenticeship Program Overview
McColl Center’s Summer Apprenticeship Program is a paid, five-week summer program for rising juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates interested in pursuing careers as artists or in arts administration and related fields.
The program runs July 6 through August 8, 2026, culminating in a final exhibition. Apprentices are required to be on-site weekly Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM*, and will receive a $1200 Stipend. Transportation assistance is available based on need.
The program is divided into two tracks:
- New Professional Apprenticeship
- Studio Artist Apprenticeship
*This program requires commitment and showing up consistently. Please only apply if you are able to commit to the entire program.
Both the New Professional and Studio Artist tracks work together as one cohort, giving Apprentices a clear understanding of both studio practice and the professional systems that support artists.
The program is led by a dedicated Program Coordinator with extensive professional experience across the arts, including work in artist residencies, nonprofit arts organizations, exhibition production, and art handling. This leadership ensures that Apprentices gain real-world insight into both studio practice and the professional infrastructure that supports artists.
In addition, a McColl Center Artist Fellow, a Charlotte-based emerging artist, serves as the primary mentor for the Studio Artist track, providing guidance, critique, and support throughout the development of student work. Apprentices will also work alongside Artists-in-Residence as assistants, gaining direct, hands-on experience within a professional studio environment. McColl Center staff and Studio Specialists, who are all professional artists, provide additional support and technical guidance across disciplines.
New Professional Apprentices:
- Learn how exhibitions are planned, organized, and installed
- Gain experience with art handling, packaging, and presentation
- Explore marketing, writing, and basic graphic design
- Learn about contracts, pricing, grants, proposals, and budgeting
- Gain insight into how a nonprofit arts organization operates
- Receive feedback and mentorship from a McColl Center Artist Fellow, Artists-in-Residence, Arts Professionals, and Staff.
Studio Artist Apprentices:
- Develop original artwork and an artist statement
- Work in a private studio space (one assigned to each Apprentice)
- Have access to McColl Center's specialty studios (ceramics, sculpture, woodworking, fibers, printmaking, 3D, and media) under the guidance of McColl Center's Studio Specialists
- Learn materials, tools, and processes
- Assist Artists-in-Residence with studio work
- Receive feedback and mentorship from a McColl Center Artist Fellow, Artists-in-Residence, Arts Professionals, and Staf
Studio Artist Apprentices will also have additional access to their studios outside of scheduled program hours, allowing for deeper focus and development of their work.
All Apprentices:
- Visit museums, galleries, and cultural institutions in the Charlotte-Metro area
- Meet and work with artists and arts professionals
- Collaborate across both Studio Artist and New Professional tracks
- Gain real-world experience in the arts
The program culminates in a final exhibition that is planned, organized, and installed by the New Professional Apprentices in collaboration with and featuring artwork created by Studio Artist Apprentices.
NOTE: Applicants may select either or both tracks in their application.
To be considered for the Studio Artist track a portfolio is required.
Summary:
Program Dates: July 6 – August 8, 2026
Final Exhibition: August 8, 2026, Time TBD
Schedule:
Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (weekly, on-site)
Stipend:
$1,200 total, distributed in three payments (first, third, and final week)
Additional Support:
Transportation assistance available based on need
Application Deadline: May 31st at 11:59PM
Notification: June 12th