200 Students Yearly
The Mentorship Program exists to transform students’ lives through art and to prepare them for a strong academic and professional future.
Each month of the school year, Oklahoma City Public School students visit the ARTSPACE studio to create, learn and experiment with art.
With the help of our team of local artists who serve as program mentors, this free program prepares Oklahoma students for a future of possibilities through an interdisciplinary art curriculum.
We incorporate art history, and expose them to contemporary artists, their work and philosophy. The Mentorship Program takes into consideration our 21st century context of digital media and visual culture as well with the edition of a full operating Stop Motion Animation Studio and access to many of the animators working in the state.
The Mentorship Program does not replace the classroom; it is an incubator for young students to work independently with mentors to guide them on a path to realize their own talents. This program started as ARTSPACE’s outreach efforts to schools to provide students an experience beyond traditional academia. We connect young minds to a flourishing art community in Oklahoma City and beyond. Entirely free to students and teachers, this program is funded through ARTSPACE’s resources and generous community support.
We connect young minds to a thriving art community
This entirely free program for students and teachers is funded by ARTSPACE’s resources and generous community support.
Exposure & Connection
These events provide extraordinary exposure for students, connecting them to a larger art community.
Students participate in activities like printmaking, woodblock carving, digital media, and preparing art works for the annual Mentorship Exhibition and Steamroller Print Festival. These two events provide extraordinary exposure for students, connecting them to a larger art community.
Community Block Party
During the festival, students engage with art professors, college students, and professional artists, actively participating in the printmaking process.
The Steamroller Print Festival, a community block party in collaboration with downtown Oklahoma City businesses, showcases the printing of large-scale wood block works by student and local artists.
mentorship exhibition
Join us this April for the Mentorship Exhibition. Discover the impact of our program and see firsthand the incredible work produced through our mentorship pairings.
During March’s Youth Arts Month, Mentorship Program students finalize their work for a formal exhibition at ARTSPACE. This juried showcase provides vital public exposure while teaching students the technical skills of the trade: framing, hanging, lighting, and professional writing.
Who is the Mentorship Program For?
If your child thrives on hands-on, experiential learning, ARTSPACE is their perfect fit. We support students with diverse learning needs through a project-based learning approach—ideal for kinesthetic learners who learn best by doing.
Our program transforms students from passive observers into active creators. By working step-by-step with professional mentors, students build confidence, solve real-world problems, and discover natural talents that pave the way for future academic and professional success.
Why Hands-On Learning Works
Traditional classrooms often focus on theory, but our "incubator" environment focuses on application:
Real-World Projects: Whether it's building sculptures or producing a film, students see the immediate relevance of their work.
Critical Life Skills: We prioritize the "soft skills" traditional systems can miss: collaboration, persistence, and creative problem-solving.
Improved Retention: Engaging both the hands and the mind ensures that technical skills and artistic concepts actually stick.
Inclusivity & Equity: We level the playing field for students who may struggle in conventional academic settings but excel in a creative, tactile environment.
The Power of Play & Production
Programs like our Stop-Motion Animation Studio allow children to use their hands and minds collaboratively. By blending creativity with technical mastery, we help students find their focus and a sense of purpose.
Participating Schools
Astec Charter
Belle Isle Enterprise
Classen SAS
Dove Science Academy
Emerson North
Emerson South
Fredrick Douglass
Harding Fine Arts
Mission Academy
Mount St. Mary
NW Classen
Putnam Heights Academy
Roosevelt Middle School
Santa Fe South
Southeast
Star Spencer
Stop Motion Animation Summer Program
By empowering young creators, we aren't just teaching a craft; we are inspiring generations that drive Oklahoma’s vibrant cinematic future.
"Melk" is a stop animation made by our mentorship students that tells the story of a rural family in the '70s who get an unexpected visit by a stranger from another world. 2021
PIPES was created by our mentorship students during the 2022 summer stop motion animation program under instructor Nicle Emmons.
Departure: On what was meant to be a fun vacation, two close friends, Trevor and Cameron, end up separated after their plane crashes inside what is seemingly a cave in a strange island. Trevor now has to traverse the dark and bloody caverns and fight off beasts like no other just to reunite with his friend. However, the island itself isn't what it seems... 2023
Ahochi, a Native American girl, faces challenges expressing herself under the oppressive rule of her teacher. When a mischievous Red Fox steals her only escape from her boring and grim reality, Ahochi suddenly finds herself led into a surreal and otherworldly adventure. 2024
turning students into creators
Under the mentorship of award-winning professionals Nicole Emmons, Ross DeFehr, and Dylan Albertson, our kids navigate the whole production life-cycle:
Creative Foundation: Storyboarding and character design.
Production: Hand-crafted puppet-making and stop-motion animation.
Business: Navigating PR and marketing for their final short film.
Why Animation Education Matters:
Igniting Creativity: Animation offers a creative canvas, empowering students to translate imaginative stories into tangible art.
Advancing Technical Mastery: Through hands-on experience with industry-standard techniques, students build a specialized skillset that prepares them for a competitive workforce.
Cultivating Critical Thinking: From storyboarding to puppet-making, animation is an exercise in complex problem-solving. These projects require the persistence and critical thinking essential for both academic success and personal growth.
Building Collaborative Community: Beyond the screen, animation is a team project. By working together to bring a vision to life, students learn to respect diverse perspectives and navigate differences—turning classmates into a community.
When you support the Stop Motion Animation Summer Program, you help to weave the fabric of a creative Oklahoma. We see a future where our film scene is a reflection of our people: authentic, inspired, and rooted in a community with visibility beyond Oklahoma.
THis program is possible thanks to the support from our instructors, Guest Speakers, and the Oklahoma animation & Film community!
Nicole Emmons, Ross DeFehr, Mason Drumm, DylaN Albertson, Matt Payne, Clariss Cozzoni, SPencer Tracy, Dan Moyer, Julia Witcher, Robert Ross Wright, Chris Freihofer, DJ Zachary, Kristie Ferriso, and Steven PaUl Judd
Your DONATION will
CHANGE A STUDENT'S LIFE
THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS WHO HAVE MADE THIS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM POSSIBLE!
Dr. Elliott & Pamela Schwartz
Michael & Jane Sigmon Family Foundation
Mickey Clagg
Todd & Deatra Huckbay
Fred & Pat Schonwald
Mentorship & Stop Motion Program Sponsors
