The Reaching Forward Mentor Program

The Reaching Forward Mentor Program is a youth employment program for advanced students ages 15-22 interested in developing their skill as peer leaders, teachers, and professional 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. Mentors are paid $16 dollars per hour.

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 (Wednesday 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.

2023-24 Program Overview

REACHING FORWARD

Ages 15-22 | Friday Trainings: 4-6pm AND Saturdays Art Reach: 10-2pm OR Wednesdays Little Artists: 4-5:30pm (all in-person)

Semester One:

All Mentors: Fridays, October 6th – December 15th (10 weeks)

Art Reach Mentors Only: Saturdays, October 7th – December 16th (10 weeks)

Little Artist Mentors Only: Wednesdays, October 11th – November 15th (6 weeks)

Semester Two:

All Mentors: Every other Friday: January 5th, 20th, February 3rd, 17th, March 2nd and 16th (5 weeks)

Art Reach Mentors Only: Saturdays, January 6th – March 16th (10 weeks)

Little Artist Mentors Only: Wednesdays April 3rd – May 8th (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.

Apply

Participant Information
Participant Name*
First Last
Participant Age*
Participant School*
Participant Grade*
Participant Email (if applicable)
Parent/Guardian Information
Please fill out if under 18 years old.
Parent/Guardian Name
First Last
Parent/Guardian Phone
Parent/Guardian Email
Second Parent/Guardian Name (if applicable)
First Last
Second Parent/Guardian Phone
Second Parent/Guardian Email
Tell Us About Yourself (Please answer these questions using 3-4 complete sentences per question when possible)
Why are you interested in working with us as a mentor and what do you hope to gain from this experience?
What would you be able to add to the classroom (either as an artist, someone who has worked with younger kids, or another asset you bring to this experience)?
Have you been employed before or would this be your first job? If you have been employed before, please share a little bit about your job, what you liked about it, and perhaps what you didn’t like too (*If this would be your first job, don’t worry! It won’t count against you in the application process)
What do you like about art? What kind of art do you enjoy making?
Are you interested in Mentoring in the Art Reach Program (Students ages 9-14 on Saturday mornings) or Little Artist Program (Students ages 4-8 on Wednesday afternoons)? Preferences will be honored when possible.
Do you have any major conflicts with the Program Schedule that you are aware of? (This can be other programs, or activities, trips, vacations, etc.)

The Reaching Forward Mentor Program