Mentor Arts Program
High School Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to apply for MAP
Grow your skills, build your portfolio, and show your work in a gallery, guided by artists who’ve been where you’re headed.
About our FREE Program
The Peoria Art Guild first initiated MAP in the mid 1990’s to foster the growth of individual artistic talent through immersion in a collaborative and creative environment.
Targeting Junior and Senior high school students, this semester-long program pairs a small group of youth apprentices with professional, established mentor artists who specialize in diverse mediums. The program curriculum centers on intense periods of hands-on studio work, exposing students to the business side of being a professional artist.
In this program, students will:
Learn 12 different mediums from established artist mentors
Complete a month-long final project in the medium of their choice
Complete an Artist Statement and Bio they can update throughout their career
Host a collaborative Gallery Exhibition displaying their artwork for the public’s view on First Friday
Program Mentors are chosen based on their interest and ability in working with high school students, professional merit, and their experience in the visual arts and their working knowledge of their chosen medium.
Three Steps to Apply:
Submit an application
before midnight on December 14th
Attend the Portfolio Review
on the date you selected in your application
Send in RECOMMENDATIONS
from teachers to deicideh@peoriaartguild.org
Applicants are evaluated By:
Enthusiasm: Student’s interest in the arts, including learning about artists and art history
Creativity: Student’s willingness to explore and use a variety of materials, tools & techniques
Flexibility: Student’s ability to transition from working in a group to working independently
Motivation: Student regularly sees a project through to completion
Initiative: Student often goes beyond the minimum criteria established when completing a project
Leadership: Student shows evidence of strong leadership skills
portfolios are evaluated by:
Composition
Overall Design
Creativity
Craftsmanship
Motivation
Presentation
An ideal portfolio: A collection of three to ten of your BEST pieces of work with a variety of media. Digital images or presentations should include the artwork's title, medium, and size. Please bring a sketchbook if possible.
Also acceptable portfolio: A well-loved sketchbook with artwork, sketches, and doodles, with 1-2 pieces of your BEST work. A variety of media is ideal, but not necessary.
Unacceptable portfolio: A collection of loose, unfinished artworks with fraying or torn edges.
2027 Important Dates
Application Deadline: December 14th, 2026 at midnight
MAP Application Portfolio Reviews: December 18th from 4:00 — 7:00 pm & December 19th from 9:00 — 4:00 pm
Applicants are Notified: December 21st, 2026
Orientation: January 13th, 2027 from 6:00 — 7:00 pm
Program Begins: Saturday, January 16th, 2027 from 10:00 — 3:00 pm
Final Projects Due for Installation: June 18th & 19th
Installation of Exhibit: June 25th- July 1st, 2027
Opening Reception: July 2nd, 2026 from 5:00 — 8:00 pm
Feel free to contact our Program Coordinator at deicideh@peoriaartguild.org with any questions regarding MAP.
The Peoria Art Guild thanks our donors for their generosity and continued support of the Mentor Arts Program.