MAKING THE ARTIVIST®

Discover Your Power to Create Change!

Ready to turn your passion for dance into real change?

Making The Artivist® is your chance to become an advocate for your community through the power of movement. This dynamic, paid apprenticeship is for young adults ages 18–24 who are ready to explore dance, social justice, and storytelling in a way that speaks to their truth and sparks change.

Through immersive training that focuses on culture, creativity, and community, you’ll:

  • Build your choreographic process to create intentional, impactful movement

  • Use storytelling to share your lived experiences and ignite important conversations

  • Strengthen your artistic voice and gain personal agency

  • Engage in social justice artmaking that connects your identity with collective action

  • Collaborate with like-minded artists and grow as a leader committed to change

This is more than just dance—it’s a launchpad for social impact. Mentored by experienced artists, you’ll develop the skills to create Artivism that leaves a lasting mark on your community.

Ready to lead with purpose and move with meaning? Apply now and take the first step toward becoming an Artivist.

Art. Story. Change.

Hear what happens when young people come together to explore their voice, their power, and their purpose through dance. This is what Making The Artivist® is all about — from someone who’s lived it.

MTA Apprentice

Ready to get started?

Apply for the upcoming cohort!
Program Dates: October 7th – February 12th [16 weeks]

Tuesdays & Thursdays | 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Deadline to Apply - September 8, 2025

Still have more questions?
Register for an Artivist Lab – our free immersive workshop where you’ll explore the intersection of dance, storytelling, and social change. These labs will introduce you to the principles of Artivism and get a glimpse of the full program.

“An Artivist is an individual that uses their artistic genius to ignite social change. A Dance Artivist creatively uses the body and movement as tools to gain personal and collective freedom.”

~Vershawn Sanders-Ward, Founder and CEO

FAQs

    • 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. Participants in the Fall and Spring cohorts must be between 18–24 years old. Our Summer cohorts are exclusively for youth ages 14–17.

  • We encourage those interested to apply, and we will discuss in more detail during your interview.

  • The Making the Artivist Training program is free of charge to the Participants.

  • Yes, participants are allowed one (1) unexcused absence during the 12-week cohort.

  • 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.