Emerging Artists Mentorship Program

The Thumbprint Studios Emerging Artists Mentorship Program is designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities and on-the-job experience to artists who are either currently enrolled in school, recent graduates or those early in their careers with an interest in the performing arts, arts administration and/or performing arts education. The EA Mentorship program is made up of the following components: studio support, social media marketing and management, technical/classroom/admin assistance. Mentees may also be involved in other studio work including, but not limited to, company meetings, video editing, research, fundraising, grant writing, board meetings, and more during their mentorship tenure (current focus areas detailed below). In return EA mentees will receive practical performance training, individual coaching, mentorship and feedback. Successful EA mentees may also request a letter of recommendation from a Thumbprint Studios Founding Artistic Director.

Due to the pandemic all work will be done from home. Must have access to the internet and a device to connect with (i.e. computer/ tablet/ smartphone).

What are our current (Fall/Winter 2023) focus areas?

Social Media & Content Creation:
Primary responsibilities will be creating digital content and managing our social media presence (IG/FB) with a focus on broadening brand awareness. Post schedule is coordinated by the entire team multiple weeks in advance and includes room for your input and creativity. Additional duties include assisting with marketing content creation for our productions. Experience with social media is preferred but not required, a self-starter with a strong eye for visual design and digital content trends will thrive in this role. This role is virtual.

Administration & Educational Programming:
Primary responsibilities are assisting our Director of Outreach & Education in creating class/ workshop welcome packets for participants, and organizing materials for our quarterly script discussion club, Thumbprint Reads & Listens (TRL). Additional duties include running tech for classes/ events and assisting with our weekly marketing emails. No specific experience required but someone organized and generally tech savvy will do well in this role. This role is virtual.

Production Assistant: This Fall, our PA will be working with the production team for our 3rd annual Collab24 Devised Theatre Festival focusing on logistical organization and coordinating between the production and creative teams. Duties include attending all production meetings, managing all team schedules, and assisting with front of house items. Experience as a production assistant or stage manager is preferred but not required, strong organizational skills are a must. This role is location specific (Chicago) and part time in-person.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for an EA mentorship program, all applicants must be a current undergraduate or graduate student (if undergraduate, must have completed at least two semesters of college education), recent graduate or early in their performing arts career. Ideal candidates will share our goals to promote a creative cooperative environment rooted in each individual’s unique artistic skill set and needs and will actively commit to our core values—inclusion, empowerment and embodiment; within their work and interactions.

What are the benefits?

• 4 group classes and/or workshops that are offered during their tenure with Thumbprint

• 2 private lessons per month (1 with each of our Founding Artistic Directors)

• A monthly mentorship meeting with both Founding Artistic Directors to discuss each mentees artistic goals, ways to achieve those, and beneficial resources

• Networking with Thumbprint Studios faculty/staff, board members and guest artists

• An inside look into how an arts organization is run

• Successful participants can request letters of recommendation

• Feedback on work outside of Thumbprint Studios (if desired)

How long does each term last and when are the application deadlines?

  • Spring Term: mid-January – May 31st
    • Application Due: November 15th, 5pm CDT
  • Summer Term: June 1st – August 31st
    • Application Due: May 15th, 5pm CDT
  • Fall Term: September 1st – mid-January
    • Application Due: August 22nd, 5pm CDT

What do our previous mentees say about us?

"What Thumbprint Studios excels at is seeing everyone, both mentor and student alike, for exactly who and where they are in their journey. This is not an environment, nor is this the sort of team that feeds into the metaphorical rat race. The team at Thumbprint Studios works with their mentors and students on an individual basis. Recognizing the uniqueness in each of them and helping to nurture their own voice and craft. Thumbprint Studios is the model of what a great education system can look like. One where everyone is treated with equal value, admired for their unique gifts, and given helpful tools that will encourage each artist to leave their one of a kind mark on the world."
-Moraud Lebastchi, Fall 2020

"My time with Thumbprint Studios was an amazing experience. It's a safe space where I can work on my craft as well as learn new skills. The work I did with Thumbprint gave me a sense of pride and they gave me the opportunity to work with artists I would’ve never worked with. I am so grateful to be part of the Thumbprint family."
-Oralia Neria, Winter 2020/2021