Call for Mentors: Art Apprenticeship Network 2027
/ORGANIZATION: The Shumka Centre at Emily Carr University of Art + Design
DEADLINE: November 5, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT
WEBSITE: https://shumka.ecuad.ca/call-for-mentors-art-apprenticeship-network-2027/
CALL FOR ARTISTS:
Since 2020, the Art Apprenticeship Network (AAN), a program by The Shumka Centre at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, has funded student apprenticeships with established artists, curators and cultural workers in Metro Vancouver. Developed to build and strengthen the local art ecosystem through a part-time apprenticeship model, the program creates opportunities for paid work, social connection and hands-on experience for emerging practitioners.
Artists, curators and cultural workers affiliated with an arts organization are invited to submit project proposals for Student-Apprentices as part of AAN, delivered in partnership with TD.
AAN is committed to creating opportunities that celebrate diversity and intersectionality across sexuality, gender, culture, race, ethnicity, religion and ability. Practitioners from diverse backgrounds, including individuals of Indigenous identity, are especially encouraged to apply.
How It Works
Established artists, curators and cultural workers at arts organizations in Metro Vancouver can propose projects that would benefit from a Student-Apprentice’s assistance. Applicants outline a defined project or scope of work, including the essential technical and interpersonal skills required.
The Shumka Centre shares opportunities with senior-level Emily Carr students, who indicate their interests. Mentors receive applications from interested students and select the best match.
Student-Apprentices work a maximum of 150 hours, or approximately 10–15 hours per week, depending on the project scope and timeline. Projects must take place between February 16 and September 14, 2027.
The Shumka Centre pays Student-Apprentices. Mentors are responsible for any project-related expenses, including travel, materials, production costs and artist fees. There are no participation costs for Mentors.
Mentor Eligibility
The program is open to established artists and artist collectives located in Metro Vancouver, including regular and non-regular Emily Carr University faculty undertaking projects and practices outside the university. Cultural workers associated with an arts organization are also eligible. Applicants should be well-established in their careers.
Artists must have an active studio practice or be developing applied projects or collaborations, rather than undertaking contract work, and must be able to commit sufficient time to train and mentor an apprentice. Both individuals and collectives may apply. Apprentice roles may include studio production and fabrication, administration, artwork documentation and post-production, packaging, shipping and handling, archive management, or communications.
Artists must have completed basic academic training in a relevant field or be recognized by their peers, and must have publicly shared an independent body of work within the past three years.
Individuals affiliated with arts organizations may propose projects involving curation, public programming, exhibition design, art handling or administration. The mentoring must be led by a single individual within the organization who can provide adequate supervision, training and professional development.
Selection
Participation is competitive and limited to 10 spaces for this cycle. Applications are evaluated based on the clarity and feasibility of the project scope, the definition of the Student-Apprentice’s role and expectations, the quality of mentorship and learning opportunities, and the value of the apprentice’s contribution to the project.
Projects must fall within an area in which the mentor has sufficient knowledge and experience to provide meaningful guidance, feedback and professional development. The program does not support projects that require apprentices to independently deliver specialized work the mentor cannot adequately direct or evaluate.
HOW TO APPLY:
Prospective mentors should prepare the following materials:
A link to a project proposal of no more than two pages outlining the project, timeline, Student-Apprentice responsibilities, and required technical and interpersonal skills. Projects must take place between February 16 and September 14, 2027.
A link to their CV.
Additional materials, depending on the applicant’s role:
Independent artists and curators: A portfolio link containing a maximum of eight images or two videos, with corresponding details such as title, date, medium and dimensions or duration.
Other cultural workers: A brief biography or a link to a website outlining the associated nonprofit organization and the applicant’s role.
All mentors must provide a safe, respectful and appropriate environment for apprentices. Proposals should address relevant workplace, studio, site, access, equipment, supervision and training considerations that may affect safety and participation.
Submit the application through the Art Apprenticeship Network 2027 Expression of Interest Form. Further information is available on the Shumka Centre website, including the Mentors FAQ.
FEES/COMPENSATION:
There are no participation costs for Mentors. Student-Apprentices are paid by the Shumka Centre. Mentors are responsible for project-related expenses, including travel, materials, production costs and artist fees.
