Collage with colorful paper cutouts of words 'Queer', 'creative', 'Futures' and 'A Youth Mentorship Program', with a hand holding a pen, flowers, and various textured paper backgrounds.
Colorful craft poster with the text 'Our Program' on a yellow background, decorated with a large red flower and multicolored starbursts and dots.

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. 

May 2026 - Applications Open

July 2026 - Applications Close

July 2026 - Review Applicants & Acceptance Letters Sent & Schedule Group Interview

August 2026 - Introduction Session & First Open Studio

September 2026 - Two Open Studios & Mentor Workshop

October 2026 - Two Open Studios & Mentor Workshop

November 2026 - Two Open Studios & Mentor Workshop

December 2026 - Final Two Open Studios

December 2026 - A Big Gay Youth Market + Graduation

Colorful decorative banner with the text 'Program Timeline' on a yellow paper, accompanied by a large pink flower, set against a glittery green background surrounded by multicolored star-like decorations.
A colorful protest sign that says "Support Us!" with a large pink and orange flower, set against a backdrop of multicolored stars.

We are looking to raise $3,000 to cover the costs for the Fall 2026 program, just in case we do not receive our grant in the next application cycle.

Your donation will go towards:

  • Studio Rental Expenses

  • Cohort Stipends

  • A Big Gay Youth Market Rental Space Expenses

  • A Big Gay Youth Market Event Insurance

  • Organizer Stipend

Support Us!
Cartoon illustration of a smiling green frog with pink cheeks, holding a white circle with a blue ring and the text 'the ARTS CENTER' inside.

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.