Two people in white clothes stand on a paint-covered sheet with their arms extended forward, showing hands and arms smeared with colorful paint. Buckets of paint are visible on the floor beside them.

The Joslyn’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program (KBMP) brings together high school students and professional artists for year-round mentoring in a safe space where teens have freedom and support to explore, think, and express themselves through art. With access to supplies and guidance from mentors and staff, teen artists pursue their own original ideas, gain technical skills in various media, exhibit their work, build an art portfolio, and expand their creative community. The longstanding core program, primarily for juniors and seniors, is held at Kent Bellows Studio, 3303 Leavenworth Street, and now a new foundations program for freshmen and sophomores meets at The Joslyn. More details below.

Kent Bellows Mentoring Program

Program Overview & Application Process

In addition to the longstanding core program held at Kent Bellows Studio (KBS), 3303 Leavenworth Street, a new foundations program now meets at The Joslyn. Foundations is for high school freshmen and sophomores and emphasizes skill building in drawing, painting, and mixed media, with the benefit of frequent visits to the Museum’s galleries. The core program remains primarily for juniors and seniors, with mentees focused on a medium of choice each trimester, opportunities for fieldtrips, and the expectation of presenting artwork in group exhibitions at KBS.

KBMP core and foundation programs operate on a pay-as-you-are-able tuition model ($1–$600 per trimester). Supplies are provided. Mentees attend program twice per week; 4-6 pm during the school year; 3-6 pm in the summer. Applications are accepted year-round, and interviews are conducted in March. We seek teens who are passionate about art and committed to their own education. Priority is given to students from schools that are not currently represented in the program.

Applications are accepted year-round, however, most interviews and new enrollment occurs in spring, with new mentees starting in the summer session. If you have questions about the program, the mentee application process, or are interested in being an artist mentor, please contact us.
  • Core ProgramMentor
  • 2D Mixed MediaCasey Callahan
  • 3D SculptureTom McLaughlin
  • Arts ManagementViy
  • CeramicsHarrison Cook
  • Digital PaintingKasper Swain
  • DrawingNeil Griess, Mark Sabaliauskas
  • Mixed MediaJada Messick
  • Mural ArtsHugo Zamorano
  • PaintingCasey Callahan, Shawnequa Linder
  • PhotographyLaura Burke
  • PrintmakingMike Giron
  • Textile & Fiber ArtsPeyton Pearson
  • Foundations ProgramMentor
  • DrawingMatt Jones
  • Mixed MediaBaylee Bennett
  • PaintingShawnequa Linder
ApplyTuition Payment

Arts Management Special Events

Led by Artist Mentor Viy, teens in the arts management mentor program are hosting two fall events featuring art created by KBMP mentees and youth, ages 13–19, who responded to an open call to participate. Stop by to see what they’re making and buy a little something for yourself!

Porchfest OMA—Sun, Oct 4; noon–5 pm
Gifford Park Neighborhood (3177 Davenport Street)

Teen Pop-Up Market: No Bad Art—Sat, Nov 7; 11 am–4 pm
Millwork Commons, The Ashton (1229 Millwork Avenue)

A large, brown, uppercase letter "A" is partially visible on a white background, with only the right side of the letter shown.

Young Artist Exhibition

Opening Weekend
Fri, Dec 11, 6–9 pm & Sat, Dec 12, 11 am–2 pm
Kent Bellows Studio (3303 Leavenworth Street)

Join us to enjoy a multidisciplinary exhibition showcasing work by the Museum’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program core level fall semester artists. Works include drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, ceramics, sculpture, and more. Artwork sales benefit the teen artists and the program. We hope to see you at Kent Bellows Studio!

Admission is free and all are welcome.

A man and a woman stand in an art gallery, looking at paintings on the wall. The woman holds a collage artwork and appears to be discussing it with the man, who listens attentively. Bright lights illuminate the gallery.

Text image with the words "The Joslyn Kent Bellows Mentoring Program" in pink and blue capital letters.