MAKING THE ARTIVIST®

A paid apprenticeship for young creatives to grow their artistry, tell their story, and spark change through dance.

Applications for the Winter 2026 Making The Artivist® cohort are now closed.

Interested in future opportunities? Join our email list to be the first to hear when applications open for the next cohort.

WHAT IS Making The Artivist®?

A career-building dance apprenticeship for changemakers.

A woman kneels on the stage in front of black curtains, with one arm extended and the other hand on her chest, appearing to be performing or expressing emotion.

Making The Artivist® is a paid, 12-month apprenticeship for dancers, choreographers, and movement artists ages 18–24. You’ll explore how dance can be used as a tool for social change — and learn to turn your creative voice into career-ready impact.

What You’ll Gain in Just 5 Hours a Week

A young girl with a floral sweater smiling and adjusting her hair, standing indoors with a woman behind her.

  • Choreographic Storytelling
    Learn to turn ideas into movement that speaks truth to power.

  • Real-World Experience
    Perform and collaborate in public events, community spaces, and showcases.

  • Creative Project Development
    Design and present your own original Artivist project with guidance from professional mentors.

  • Career-Ready Skills
    Build your résumé, create a budget, and pitch with confidence—no college degree required.

  • Mentorship + Networking
    Grow alongside peers and connect with professional dancers, teaching artists, and creative leaders.

A woman giving a presentation on stage in front of an audience, with a slide projected on a screen to her right. The audience is seated facing the stage, listening attentively.

A Year of Growth in Two Phases

This 12-month paid apprenticeship unfolds in two stages designed to build your power as an artist and changemaker.

Tap to explore each phase of the journey

  • Explore your identity, artistic voice, and community connection through movement and storytelling.

    • Weekly classes: Mondays + Wednesdays

    • Time: 5:00PM – 7:30PM

    • In-person sessions at Red Clay Dance Center in Woodlawn

    • Includes independent creative exploration

  • Work closely with mentors to create and pitch your own Artivist project rooted in social change.

    • Continue in weekly sessions

    • Present your project publicly at the final showcase

    • Top projects are eligible for seed funding

MTA Apprentice

Time Commitment:

Approximately 5 hours/week — designed to fit alongside work or school.

Ready to move the world with your art?

The next generation of Artivists is already in motion.
Join a powerful cohort of young creators using movement to inspire, disrupt, and lead.

FAQs

  • Participants must be between 18–24 years old.

    Participants must reside in the City of Chicago or the Chicago metropolitan area (including surrounding counties).

    • Commitment to Schedule: Attend and actively participate in all sessions, held two days a week, with punctuality and consistency.

    • Professional Conduct: Treat the apprenticeship as a professional job, including dressing appropriately and maintaining respectful communication.

    • Project Development: Design, refine, and present a socially relevant Artivism project that addresses community needs.

    • Accountability: Meet deadlines, respond promptly to program communications, and uphold all expectations with professionalism.

    • Collaboration: Work effectively in teams, valuing diverse perspectives and ideas

  • Yes, applicants need at least 3-5 years of experience in dance.

  • The Making the Artivist® training program is free of charge to participants.

  • During each 16-week cohort, Apprentices are permitted up to one excused absence and one unexcused absence which includes tardiness/late policy.

  • No, attending an Artivist Lab is not required to participate in the program, but they are encouraged. The labs give an idea of what participants will experience during the cohort, and offer an opportunity to ask our team further questions.