An apprenticeship gives you a competitive edge in the art world because it offers hands-on, real-world work experience and project-based learning. Through apprenticeships, you will utilize the information learned in such courses as Seminar: Make an Exhibition, Exploring Art in Philadelphia, Exploring Entrepreneurship in the Arts, Contemporary Curatorial Practices, Art History, and The Artist and the Exhibition: Gallery Practicum.
During your apprenticeship, you’ll utilize the information you’ve learned in such courses as Entrepreneurship in the Arts, Contemporary Curatorial Practice, Art History, and the Gallery Practicum.
You can apprentice with artists, art historians, curators, galleries, museums, non-profits, art collectives, community organizations, art publications, and more.
For the Minor in Arts Entrepreneurship and Curatorial Studies, you are required to do one 4-credit or two 2-credit apprenticeships.
Spotlight on Apprenticeships:
Sydney Welch ‘20
Sydney participated in the Public Art project, then became a lead student the following year for the project, and led the way for the fundraising for the lighting for the mural project and then she published a book that was, in part, inspired by that work. You can read more about Sydney's work in our news article.
Prof. Elizabeth Ferrell
Dr. Ferrell has had 14 apprentices since 2015, working on amazing projects, including alums Courtney Vincent, Caroline Foglia, Paige Boucher, Shelby Brisbane, Natasha Litwinow, Hannah Weissberger, Brit Shorette, Ma'ayan Meder, Brian Wolf-Jensen, Courtney Rankin. Dr. Ferrell is a renowned art historian and scholar, and she is continually committed to mentoring our students and her impact on student success and retention is significant.
Chelsea Webber-Brandis '18
Chelsea apprenticed with David Guinn; studied mural painting techniques and public art project management; participated in local government hearings and community outreach events; contributed to creative vision of designs and projects. Her experience in the Public art project inspired Chelsea to attend Moore College of Art and Design to get an MFA in Socially Engaged Studio Art in 2020, and pursue a career at Companion for Elderly Artists and Patrons of the Arts.
Prof. Gregg Moore
Since 2017, students, including alumni Rachel Geisinger, Abby Grace Stevens, and Sangthong (Poppy) Kamonwan, have been apprenticing with Mr. Moore on his bone china work. This project practices STEAM principles, combining biology and art.
Published Works
In some apprenticeships, the work that the students complete is part of a work product that gets professionally published
- Emily Simpson ’20 illustrated Brother Train for author Mary Zamparini,
- Jeremy Kramer '15 worked with Dr. Jill Pederson on her book project Circles of Friendship: Leonardo da Vinci and the Academy in Renaissance Milan
- Scientific Illustration students illustrated lab manuals and other materials for the Biology and PA/PT Departments
