Craft Youth Culture is a free arts after-school program designed for teens who are interested in the arts. We are now taking applications for Craft Youth Culture 2025-26. We invite all Los Angeles-based teens to apply to Craft Contemporary's free after-school program Craft Youth Culture 2025-2026! It's a creative and supportive space where teens of all backgrounds, abilities, and artistic experiences can come together to express themselves through craft. We are committed to ensuring that every participant has a positive experience, and accommodations will be provided if needed to support individual needs, such as ASL interpreters. During the program, teens will participate in hands-on crafting techniques and materials, explore current exhibitions, and careers in the arts.
Incoming 9th -12th grade students (or homeschool equivalent) are welcome to apply. No previous art experience necessary! If students need assistance with getting to the museum, Craft Contemporary can provide transportation to and from the museum with Lyft.
Image Credit - Craft Youth Culture 2024-25
APPLICATIONS DEADLINE
Deadline to Apply: September 5, 2025
The program includes:
- Gallery visits and facilitated discussions about art
- Working with professional, contemporary artists
- Hands-on art projects and portfolio development
- Guest speakers and programs exploring careers in the arts
- Field trips to artist studios and neighboring museums on Miracle Mile once a month
- All necessary materials and tools for projects
- Free admission to the museum, special events for you and your family
- A culminating professional showcase of work created throughout the year in the form of an exhibition, event, or catalog
About the Artist
Natalie M. Godinez (she/her/ella) is a Los Angeles-based artist, educator, and community advocate raised in Tijuana, México. Godinez explores memories, identity, and relationships to places and language through textiles, printmaking, process-based art, text, and collaboration. Her work aims to be a tool for conversations about our shared experiences, the possibilities of our imaginations, and our desires to create change in the world.
Godinez is an artist collaborator of AMBOS Project (Art Made Between Opposite Sides), a platform for binational artists to speak on border issues. She has performed artist interventions, led education projects, and coordinated humanitarian aid efforts there. Her work has been exhibited at the Hammer Museum, the Sun Valley Museum of Art, the San Diego State University Gallery, Angel's Gate Cultural Center, the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, and the Vincent Price Art Museum. Godinez holds a Bachelor of Applied Design from San Diego State University.
Schedule
October 4, 2025 –
May 9, 2026
The Craft Youth Culture program will meet weekly on Saturdays from 11 am- 1 pm on the the following dates. Please note that some changes to the schedule may occur.
Questions? Email education@craftcontemporary.org
SEMESTER 1 (2025)
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 15*, 22
December 6*
SEMESTER 2 (2026)
January 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14*, 21, 28
March 7, 14, 21
April 11, 18, 25
May 2
May 9 - Culmination Celebration
(*) = Optional dates where students can participate in the museum's exhibition opening, maker market and a multi-generational program.
Image Credit - Craft Youth Culture 2023-24