It cost $0 for help navigating the college application process with a StART mentor.

The StART Design Lab & Studio Program is a free program designed to provide young adults with workshops and opportunities in artistic development, career management and performance projects. This program was born out of addressing the need to fill the gap between the academic learning experience and developing a career.

What’s Expected As A Mentee

You will be expected to join all 7 group as well as any individual sessions that are scheduled. All sessions will be virtual and take place via Zoom. Each mentee will be assigned to at least one Statement Arts’ Mentor. You will meet with your mentor every week and together you will go through the applications for the colleges and schools that you're interested in attending. Most of these applications will be accessible using the COMMON APP or the CUNY Portal, however, there may be some additional institutions that have their own applications as well. This process will be individualized for each mentee based on your own unique challenges and college goals. Our program management team will support mentees from the beginning of the application process until making a college selection decision based on acceptances and financial awards that each mentee receives.

Time Commitment & Program Schedule

There will be 1 FAFSA Orientation session and 6 mentor sessions, individual officer hours may be scheduled based on each mentee’s needs. Additional sessions may be scheduled in early Spring of 2022 based on progress of the mentees with their application and FAFSA submissions.

Times: All zoom meetings will be scheduled on EASTERN TIME.

Scheduled Sessions: 2 Saturday afternoons and 4 Monday evenings from October through December + 1 FAFSA Orientation on Tuesday, September 28th at 6pm. Saturdays from 12pm-1:30pm & Mondays from 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Tuesday Sept. 28th, 6PM - 7:30PM - FAFSA ORIENTATION
Tuesday Oct. 5th, 6PM - 7:30PM - FAFSA WORKSHOP #1
Tuesday Oct. 12th, 6PM - 7:30PM - FAFSA WORKSHOP #2
Monday Oct. 25th, 5:30PM - 7PM - MENTOR SESSION #1
Saturday Nov. 6th, 12PM - 1:30PM - MENTOR SESSION #2
Monday Nov. 15th, 5:30PM - 7PM - MENTOR SESSION #3
Monday Nov. 29th, 5:30PM - 7PM - MENTOR SESSION #4
Saturday Dec. 11th, 12PM - 1:30PM - MENTOR SESSION #5
Monday Dec. 20th, 5:30PM - 7PM - MENTOR SESSION #6

Location: Online via Zoom. We will send you invites with zoom information.

Tools & Resources

The following tools and resources will be available for mentors and mentees to organize and track college application process step by step. These tools and resources will be reviewed during an orientation.

College Tracker (as shown below) to itemize target colleges and application requirements and deadlines. Each student will have one’s own tracker and one’s mentor will have access to an assigned mentee’s tracker. The trackers will be available via Google Drive.

A Financial Aid Worksheet will be provided to each student to identify and collect information required for the FAFSA application which will require both students and their parents’ information to complete the application. The worksheet will be available via Google Drive.

Our website includes the following resources list:

Financial Aid

Make It
The Common Application

Make It

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Program Benefits

You will receive free individual artistic coaching sessions and create your art form to perform or record that align with your short- and long-term career career goals. For example, you will also get knowledge on how to write your own script and scene with the opportunity to record an acting reel that can be used in your professional portfolio.

Artistic Workshops
Acting, Directing, Photography, Write Your Own Reel

Career Management
Financial Literacy, Goal Setting & Achieving, Website Design

Performaance Projects
Vocal Performance

What’s Expected of You As A Student

If you have signed up for any class, workshop and/or performance project you must commit to the entirety of its scheduled sessions. The StART Design Lab & Studio program is designed based on your feedback and interests. These sessions are meant to help you achieve your short and long term aspirations. It’s FREE!

Time Commitment

Workshops and class time vary in time. No matter what, when you sign up for any given workshop or class, you are expected to attend all scheduled sessions. If confirmations do not meet this threshold three days prior to the session, we can cancel or reschedule sessions. The program management team will work with the Artistic Director and Director of Operations to make final decisions and follow up arrangements. If you do not confirm the classes will be cancelled. Approach this program with professionalism. Your word is your bond.

Program Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

All StART Design Lab and Studio Sessions require a minimum of 30% attendance to be confirmed. If confirmations do not meet this threshold three days prior to the sessions start time, we can cancel or reschedule sessions. Your confirmation is essential to move forward with our scheduled sessions. Your word is your bond.