We are SO excited to announce that we received the Art Center of the Capital Region’s Arts Thrive & Grow Grant! 🎉

With this grant, we are able to bring a program that has been years in the making and dreaming to life! We are thrilled to introduce Queer Creative Futures - A Youth Mentorship Program! 🌈

ABGM’s Queer Creative Futures Youth Mentorship Program is an incubator for emerging creatives who are 12 to 16 years old to join together to harness their practice. This program is FREE to apply to and participate in. We only have 8 slots available in this year’s cohort.

All program participants will be matched with a mentor in the community in their chosen medium, open studio time to create their art and learn from local queer and gender expansive artists in an intentional and encouraging space.

All participants will receive a budget for their materials, facilitated studio time and space, and will be vendors at their own A Big Gay Youth Market in December alongside their mentors. 

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED!

May 21st - Applications Open

July 1st - Applications Close

First Two Weeks of July - Review Applicants & Acceptance Letters Sent & Schedule Group Interview

August - Introduction Session & First Open Studio

September - Two Open Studios & Mentor Workshop

October - Two Open Studios & Mentor Workshop

November - Final Two Open Studios & Mentor Workshop

December - Final Open Studio

Saturday, December 20th - A Big Gay Youth Market + Graduation

We are looking to raise $2,000 to cover the remaining costs not covered by our grant. We are so thankful for the Arts Center of the Capital Region’s Arts Thrive & Grow Grant awarding us enough to cover costs for our rental spaces and minimum student stipends.

Your donation will help us pay for:

  • Mentor Stipends for Teaching Workshops

  • Program Participant Material Stipends

  • Open Studio Snacks & Drinks

  • Program Advisor Stipend

A Big Gay Market’s Queer Creative Futures - A Youth Mentorship Program is partially funded by the Art Center of the Capital Region’s Arts Thrive & Grow Grant. This grant is funded by New York State & the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, and local elected officials, including Senators Jake Ashby and Patricia Fahy and Assemblymembers Scott H. Bendett, John T. McDonald III, Angelo Santabarbara, Phil Steck, and Mary Beth Walsh.