Call for Applications! Creative Futures:

Empowering Teen Artists 2025–2026 cohort

Apply Here by 15 June 2025

Are you a young visual artist eager to take your creativity to the next level? Creative Futures is back for a second year, offering a unique opportunity for teens to explore their artistic voice, grow their skills, and connect with a community of like-minded peers.

Through monthly, hands-on workshops led by artists and arts professionals, participants will:

  • gain invaluable insights into the art world,
  • learn how to document and present their work;
  • write an artist statement;
  • experiment with diverse methods of artmaking; and
  • curate a final group exhibition in spring 2026.

This year-long journey is co-facilitated by the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, and the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, and is designed to empower a small, passionate group of teen artists as they develop tools for future success in the arts.

Program Dates: Workshops take place on the last Saturday of each month, September 2025 to May 2026, 1–3 pm.

Who Should Apply: This opportunity is open to youth ages 13–19 as of September 2025, who are not enrolled in post-secondary education. Participants must live in Kingston or the surrounding area, as the program is offered in person only.

How to Apply:
Applications are received through a Google Form and are due by 15 June 2025. You’ll be asked to submit:

  • basic personal information;
  • a brief statement of interest; and
  • supporting materials, such as images of completed artwork or works in progress.

In July the selection committee will review all applications and select 10 teens for the 2025–2026 cohort. The selection committee includes one representative from each partner organization, a youth representative, and a teacher representative. Your information will remain confidential and only be reviewed by the committee. 

We value diversity in our participants and community, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals. While recognizing that the identity of each person is fundamentally plural, multidimensional, changing and evolving, we strongly encourage applications from artists who are: Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), Black, POC, racialized (including recent immigrants), 2SLGBTQQIPAA+, neurodivergent, disabled, living with chronic illness and/or chronic pain. We are strongly committed to supporting a wide range of cultural identities and lived experiences, therefore we encourage applicants to self-identify in their application if they are comfortable doing so.

Accessibility: Workshops take place at the Tett Centre which is an accessible building. If you require any accommodations to support your application, please contact director@modernfuel.org.

This program is generously supported by The Davies Charitable Foundation, Kingston.