Through hands-on learning, behind the scenes experiences at local museum and gallery spaces, and mentorship from local arts professionals, this summer program introduces rising juniors and seniors to the diversity of possibilities within the art world.

During summer 2024 in addition to learning about installation, curation, event planning, and museum education at the IAS, participants visited murals in San Francisco’s Mission District, the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford, and Seeing through Stone at our partner institutions Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos and San José Museum of Art.

The youth organized a hugely successful First Friday, planted at Solitary Garden, and each selected an artwork from Seeing through Stone to discuss in a collective Audio Guide.

This is one of the best internships I’ve ever joined; it feels like an actual community.

SUMMER 24 Participant

Applications for summer 2025 will open in February.

What to Expect

Develop artistic and cultural literacy

At the IAS, we focus on art that addresses pressing social issues, such as incarceration, climate change, and migration. Through gallery tours at the IAS and other local museums, as well as workshops with visiting artists, you will gain insight into how art can be a vehicle for social change.

Build practical and transferable skills

Through a behind the scenes look at the IAS and hands-on training, you will become familiar with the breadth of careers available in the arts, including art handling, exhibition design, event planning, curation, and communications.

Personal growth

Over the four week program you will build a network of peers and mentors, gain valuable experience in a professional setting, and have opportunities to explore new skills and interests.

This is a compensated learning experience

This program blends work experience in a professional academic gallery with cultural learning opportunities. You will have the opportunity to be compensated for your participation with either community service hours or a small stipend. Transportation and lunches will be provided.

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from across Santa Cruz County.

“My biggest take away from the Art for All program is that I realized how much people don’t know about what goes on and into an exhibit. When I started the program, I figured I knew more than most, but as we continued, I realized I didn’t know much at all. It was fun to get a better inside look. 

Summer 2024 Participant

More photos from Summer 2024 can be found here.