The Reaching Forward Mentor Program

The Reaching Forward Mentor Program is a youth employment program for advanced students ages 15+ interested in developing their skill as peer leaders and teaching artists.

Mentors participate in an array of training and, with support from professional teaching artists, serve as peer leaders working directly with youth. Training and professional development take place throughout the program. Mentors are employed up to 10 hours per week, working directly in PAAM’s Youth Education Programs throughout the school year and summer.

The Details

Reaching Forward is a work-based learning youth employment program, in which Mentors have the opportunity to develop their skills as peer leaders, artists, and community-members. Advised and supported by PAAM Education staff and professional teaching artists, Mentors gain valuable insight into a career in the arts and education while receiving a fair and meaningful wage. Working independently and collaboratively throughout the program, Mentors attend Friday afternoon workshops, in which they focus on building their skills and capacities in mentorship, leadership, artistry and college and career readiness.

Mentors have a choice of working in the Art Reach Programs (Saturday mornings) with students ages 9-14 or in the Little Artist Programs (Tuesday afternoons) with students ages 4-8. Mentors work alongside Teaching Artists directly supporting younger artists and engaging in the museum practice of curating and exhibiting their works of art. As a multidisciplinary program, Reaching Forward explores the connectivity of art to everyday life, providing engagement in art history, media, humanities, professional development and career opportunities. All Reaching Forward Mentors are required to sit on PAAM Education’s Youth Advisory Council, where they play a key role in the planning of Education programming and events.

Fall Semester Reaching Forward program sessions will occur both in person and online.

---

2022-23 Program Overview

REACHING FORWARD

Ages 15-22 | Friday Trainings: 4-6pm (Will take place in-person and online on alternating weeks), Saturdays Art Reach: 10-2pm OR Tuesdays Little Artists: 4-5pm (all in-person)

Semester One:

All Mentors: Fridays, October 7 – December 16, 2022 (10 weeks) 

Art Reach Mentors Only: Saturdays, October 8 – December 17 (10 weeks)

Little Artist Mentors Only: Tuesdays, November 1 – December 13 (6 weeks)

Semester Two:

All Mentors: Fridays, January 6 – March 17, 2023 (10 weeks) 

Art Reach Mentors Only: Saturdays, January 7 – March 18 (10 weeks)

Little Artist Mentors Only: Tuesdays, February 7 – March 21 (6 weeks)

---

Application Process

STEP ONE

All individuals interested in working as a Reaching Forward Mentor must complete an initial application. This can be done online, by downloading the application form and emailing or mailing it, or by requesting a paper application.

STEP TWO

Once your application is received, you will be contacted to further discuss your interest in the program and schedule an interview.

STEP THREE

Once the interview is completed, we will determine your placement in the program; you will either receive an offer for employment or a position on our waitlist for a future date.

REMEMBER:

Reaching Forward runs over two semesters, however, you may apply for only one (although participation in both is highly encouraged). If you apply at the top of the program year and are accepted, you do not need to apply again for the second semester. Finally, attendance for Reaching Forward is very important, particularly as it is your employment. If you anticipate being unable to commit fully to the program, or are concerned about absences, please notate them in the appropriate space on the application form. Any questions? Contact Grace Emmet: gemmet@paam.org or 508-487-1750 x122.

PAAM’s youth programs are supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod; the National Endowment for the Arts; Ted Jones and Peter Petas; the Aeroflex Foundation; the Anthony Family Fund; the Bilezikian Family Foundation; Stop & Shop Provincetown, in memory of John Michael Gray; and the Kelley Foundation.