Mentoring Program Information
The Kent Bellows Mentoring Program education process is individualized, building on a foundation of one-on-one attention from mentors and peer-to-peer learning. The program is designed to support the needs of emerging youth artists and is shaped by talents of the professional artist community and the fundamentals of fine arts practices. Each program offers challenging, investigative discussions and workshops that encourage students to explore, observe, think, and create. While developing discipline and professional expertise, students also work to infuse Omaha with
intellectual and cultural capital.
Selection Process
We seek high school teens with diverse backgrounds who are passionate
about the arts and committed to their own education. Past experience
with the arts is encouraged but not required. Instead, we look for
people who are interested in having new artistic adventures in a
creative community. We are dedicated to a diverse enrollment with teen
representation from throughout the Omaha - Council Bluffs metro area.
Currently, we have 58 teens enrolled in the program from 30+ different
schools. High school juniors from schools that we currently do not have representation from are a current priority.
Involvement in the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program is by application.
Prospective teens complete an online application form and may be asked
to participate with their parent/guardian in an interview. At times, an
applicant may not be contacted for an interview if there is already
strong representation from their school currently in the program. All
applications from teens who are not interviewed will be kept on file for
the next enrollment season.
Interviews are conducted once a year in March for official enrollment
starting in May for the Summer Semester. Teen application and interview
materials are reviewed by a committee of staff and youth advocates.
Applicants are notified by email regarding enrollment decisions prior to
program start. Once a teen is accepted into the program, they come two scheduled days per week from 4 to 6 pm (3-6 pm during the summer). Mentees will continue in the program until they graduate high school.
The Kent Bellows Mentoring Program operates on a system of sliding-scale tuition payment from families. Tuition payments aids us in delivering the very best program for all students.
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