Call for Mentors: Art Apprenticeship Network Fall 2026

ORGANIZATION: The Shumka Centre at Emily Carr University of Art + Design
DEADLINE: Aug. 12, 2026
WEBSITE: http://shumka.ecuad.ca/

CALL FOR ARTISTS:
Call for Mentors – Art Apprenticeship Network (AAN) 2026

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 aims to create opportunities for paid work, social connection, and hands-on experience for emerging practitioners.

We invite artists, curators, or cultural workers affiliated with an arts organization to submit project proposals for Student-Apprentices as part of the Art Apprenticeship Network, delivered in partnership with TD.

AAN is invested in creating opportunities that celebrate diversity and intersectionality in sexuality, gender, culture, race, ethnicity, religion, and ability. We extend a special invitation to practitioners from diverse backgrounds, including individuals of Indigenous identity.

How it Works
You are an established artist, curator, or cultural worker at an arts organization in Metro Vancouver with a project that could benefit from a Student-Apprentice’s help;

You apply with a well-defined project or scope of work for a prospective Student-Apprentice, including the must-have hard and soft skills for the position;

We share the opportunities with senior-level students at Emily Carr, who indicate which opportunities they’re interested in;

We give you the applications from students who have indicated interest in working with you so you can choose the best match;

Your Student-Apprentice works with you for a maximum of 150 hours, or 10-15 hours/week (depending on the scope and timeline of the project you have outlined), contributing to your project while receiving mentorship. Note: projects in 2026 will need to take place October 15 – December 31;

Student-Apprentices are paid by the Shumka Centre. Note: We are not responsible for reimbursing any project-related expenses, including project-or-production related costs (travel, materials, artist fees, etc.) that may arise;

There are no participation costs to Mentors.

If you have further questions, you can check the Mentors – FAQ page on the Shumka website.

Mentor Eligibility
The Art Apprenticeship Network is open to all established artists and artist collectives located in Metro Vancouver, including regular and non-regular faculty at Emily Carr University engaged in projects and practice outside the school. Cultural workers associated with an arts organization are eligible to apply as well. All applicants should be well-established in their careers.

For Artists: All artists with an active studio practice are encouraged to apply. Participating artists must be engaged in studio practice or the development of applied projects or collaborations (as opposed to doing contract work) and must be able to commit adequate time and attention to train and mentor an apprentice. Both individuals and collectives are welcome to apply. Apprentice roles may include studio production and fabrication work, administrative tasks, assisting with documentation and/or post-production of artworks, packaging, shipping and handling works, or contributing to archive management or communications materials.

Artists must have completed basic academic training in a relevant field or should be recognized by their peers and must have publicly shared an independent body of their work within the last three years.

For Individuals Affiliated with an Arts Organization: We welcome all individuals affiliated with an arts organization with a well-defined project or scope of work fit for an apprentice to apply. Projects can relate to curation, public programming, exhibition design, art handling, or administration. Participating cultural workers must be able to commit adequate time and attention to supervise, train, and mentor an apprentice. The mentorship should be led by a single individual within the organization.

Selection
Please note that access to this program is competitive and limited to 10 spaces for this cycle. Please note that applications will be evaluated based on the clarity and feasibility of the project scope, the applicant’s ability to define the Student-Apprentice role and expectations, the quality of the proposed mentorship and learning opportunities, and the value the Student-Apprentice’s contribution would bring 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 is not intended to support projects where a Student-Apprentice is being asked to independently deliver specialized work that the Mentor is not equipped to direct or evaluate.

HOW TO APPLY:
Prospective Mentors interested in this opportunity should:
Prepare a link to a short project proposal (2 pages max) outlining the project, its timeline, the responsibilities of the Student-Apprentice, and stating the necessary hard and soft skills required for the position.

Important: Projects in 2026 must take place October 15 – December 31, 2026.

Please note: all Mentors must be able to provide a safe, respectful, and appropriate environment for the Student-Apprentice to learn and contribute to the project. Applicants should consider any workplace, studio, site, access, equipment, supervision, or training needs that may affect the Student-Apprentice’s safety and participation and note these considerations as appropriate in their proposal.

Prepare a link to their CV

For independent artists and curators only: prepare a portfolio link containing a maximum of 8 images or 2 videos along with corresponding information such as title, date, media, and dimensions/duration.

For other cultural workers: prepare a brief bio or provide a link to a website that outlines the non-profit to which you are associated and describes your role within the organization. Once these pieces are in place, please find the 'Expression of Interest Form - Fill out Form' linked on our website.

Please refer to the full call posted at: https://shumka.ecuad.ca/call-for-mentors-art-apprenticeship-network-fall-2026-cohort/.

FEES/COMPENSATION:
There are no participation costs for Mentors.