Become an Apprentice

What is an ArtWorks Apprenticeship?

ArtWorks Apprentices (ages 14-21) work side-by-side with Teaching Artists to create public art and community impact projects on a seasonal basis (Summer). Projects are most often large-scale, outdoor murals, but ArtWorks has also produced photography, sewing, dance, and film-making projects. Applicants should be eager to create art, make a difference in the city, work in diverse teams, and build new skills.

Apprentice wages are $13 an hour. Apprentices work between 20 and 30 hours per week for an 8 week period. Scheduled work hours are subject to change owing to inclement weather, but Apprentices typically work between 8am – 3pm, Monday through Friday.

Beyond art making, our creative career development training and team experiences prepare Apprentices to elevate their skills in collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, goal orientation, and growth orientation. Through this job, Apprentices develop lifelong friendships and bonds with their teammates and connect with their communities through a collaborative creative process.

 

How do I apply?

Attend Application + Interview Day on Saturday, March 1, 2025! Application + Interview Day will be held at the new ArtWorks Creative Campus, located at 2429 Gilbert Avenue in Walnut Hills. Arrive anytime between 10am-2pm to begin the application + interview process.

Applicants who have previously worked at ArtWorks will be asked to share their art portfolio, but will not need to be interviewed. For this reason, returning applicants may complete the process more quickly than applicants who are new to ArtWorks, who will be interviewed and asked to share their art portfolio. Our staff will support applicants (grouped by new and returning) on a first-come, first-served basis. Wait times may vary based on volume of applicants in attendance.

 

How do I prepare for Application + Interview Day?

    1. Create your art portfolio!
    2. Plan your commute to 2429 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206.

All applicants (new and returning) are required to bring an art portfolio to Application + Interview Day. An art portfolio is a collection of artwork made by YOU! Your art portfolio must include a self-portrait drawn in pencil on plain paper. All other works in the portfolio (please limit to 5 pieces) can be any medium – sketches, paintings, photography, sculptures, you name it! Please be mindful about the size of pieces in your portfolio, only bringing pieces you can carry with ease.

In-person Application + Interview Day will be held at the new ArtWorks Creative Campus, located at 2429 Gilbert Avenue in Walnut Hills. Free parking is available in the community lot at the corner of Copelan and McMillan, in addition to free parking along Wayne Street, Morgan Street, Curtis Street, St. James Avenue, Kemper Lane, and Cross Lane. The nearest Metro Bus stops are Gilbert Avenue and McMillan Street (Bus Lines 4 and 11) and McMillan Street and Melrose Avenue (Bus Line 31). Learn more about how to ride Metro here!

If you would like to be considered for employment as an ArtWorks Apprentice, but you cannot attend the in-person Application + Interview Day, please reach out to Grace Thanasiu at Grace@ArtWorksCincinnati.org by March 3, 2025. Grace can also assist with any other questions regarding the application, interview, and hiring process.

 

What happens after Application + Interview Day?

ArtWorks Staff will review your application and consider several factors to decide whether you are selected to work as an ArtWorks Apprentice, and to determine which project is best for you. Factors include your age, location, artistic skill level and experience, attitude, and availability.

If you are selected to work as an ArtWorks Apprentice, you will receive an email from Grace in late March. The email will indicate your project assignment and include instructions for the mandatory onboarding and orientation processes you must complete in order to work at ArtWorks in the summer. You must reply to Grace’s email to indicate your acceptance of the offer by March 31.

While you wait to receive a hiring decision, ArtWorks encourages you to prepare items that are required to complete the mandatory onboarding process in April.

More detailed instructions about the mandatory onboarding process will be provided in your project assignment email.

 

2025 Apprentice Hiring Timeline

March 1: Application + Interview Day at 2429 Gilbert Avenue. Arrive anytime between 10am-2pm.
March 17 – March 28: Receive ArtWorks project assignment via email.
March 31: Deadline to accept ArtWorks project assignment via email.
April – May: Complete onboarding + orientation process (details included in project assignment email)
June 2: First Day as an ArtWorks Apprentice!

 

ArtWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are strongly committed to building and retaining a diverse staff that creates an inclusive workplace that harnesses each voice to collectively advance ArtWorks’ mission.

 

ArtWorks is excited to partner this year with Hamilton County and Talbert House, who are providing financial and hiring support, as well as additional professional development opportunities. Continued ongoing support for ArtWorks’ youth employment is provided through the City of Cincinnati. Ongoing support for ArtWorks is made possible by Ohio Arts Council, ArtsWave, and numerous individuals through donations to its Apprentice Promise Program. ArtWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer, strongly committed to building and retaining a diverse staff that creates an inclusive workplace that harnesses each voice to collectively advance ArtWorks’ mission.

A BIG THANKS TO OUR
ONGOING FUNDERS