Find the Right Program for Your Next Step
You may already know that you want to work in photography, video, media, design, or storytelling. What may be less clear is how to gain experience, find mentors, access equipment, or turn your interests into a realistic next step.
Emerging Creators Project offers two programs designed to support college students and early-career creators at different stages of their development.
The right program depends on what you need most right now.
Which program is right for you?
Choose the Emerging Creators Internship Program if you are ready to gain practical experience, strengthen your professional skills, and learn how creative work happens in real working environments.
Choose the Emerging Creators Residency Program if you need access to equipment, mentorship, workspace, and dedicated time to develop your creative skills or complete a personal project.
You do not need to have everything figured out before applying. You should, however, be ready to learn, receive feedback, show up consistently, and take your development seriously.
Emerging Creators Internship Program
Build experience by doing the work
The Emerging Creators Internship Program helps college students and early-career professionals gain practical experience while developing the skills and habits needed to work in creative and media fields.
This program is designed for people who may already have some creative experience but need opportunities to apply their skills in professional settings.
Depending on the program track, participants may work on assignments connected to local businesses, nonprofit organizations, creative professionals, or community projects.
You will learn that professional creative work involves more than making strong images or videos. It also requires communication, preparation, collaboration, organization, problem-solving, and the ability to respond to feedback.
What you may experience
Internship Program experiences may include:
Professional development sessions
Guided creative assignments
Work connected to an organization or community project
Mentorship from working professionals
Portfolio development
Résumé and career preparation
Workplace visits or job-shadowing opportunities
Feedback from mentors, facilitators, and partner organizations
A final presentation or showcase
The Internship Program may be right for you if:
You are currently enrolled in college or recently graduated
You have been working professionally for fewer than three years
You want real-world creative experience
You want to build stronger work samples for your portfolio
You want to better understand creative careers and workplace expectations
You are interested in internships, freelance work, employment, or professional growth
You are ready to commit 10 to 15 hours each week across at least three days
Internship Program Tracks
Career Launch Program
The Career Launch Program is designed primarily for college students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals who have been in the workforce for fewer than three years.
This track combines professional development, mentorship, and practical assignments. Participants should expect to commit 10 to 15 hours per week across at least three days.
Youth Career Launch Program
The Youth Career Launch Program is designed for high school upperclassmen and recent high school graduates who want an introduction to creative careers and professional working environments.
Participants receive additional structure and support while building foundational creative and professional skills.
Emerging Creators Residency Program
Make space for your creative growth
The Emerging Creators Residency Program helps college students who need greater access to equipment, workspace, mentorship, and structured time to develop their creative practice.
The Residency Program is not primarily focused on completing work for a client or employer. Instead, it gives you the support and resources to strengthen your skills, explore ideas, and develop a project or body of work.
You may enter the Residency Program with a specific project idea, an area of your craft that you want to improve, or a creative direction you want to explore more deeply.
The Residency Program may be right for you if:
You are currently enrolled in college
You are studying or pursuing photography, video, media, design, or visual storytelling
You do not have reliable access to the equipment or software you need
You need a place where you can consistently work and create
You would benefit from guidance from an experienced mentor
You want to develop a personal project or stronger body of work
You are interested in critique, experimentation, and creative exploration
What you may experience
Residency Program experiences may include:
Access to photography, video, audio, or editing equipment
Access to studio or creative workspace
Technical instruction
Individual or small-group mentorship
Project planning
Creative critiques and feedback
Time for independent work
Peer collaboration
Portfolio development
A final exhibition, screening, artist talk, or presentation
How the Programs Compare
Both programs include mentorship, feedback, portfolio development, and connections to other emerging creators and creative professionals.
The biggest difference is the type of work you will be doing.
The Internship Program focuses on learning through professional application.
The Residency Program focuses on learning through creative development and exploration.
Choose the Internship Program if you need:
Practical work experience
Professional development
Exposure to employers and organizations
Stronger communication and collaboration skills
Portfolio work connected to realistic assignments
Help preparing for internships, employment, or freelance opportunities
Choose the Residency Program if you need:
Access to equipment or workspace
Time to develop your own creative work
Technical support
Creative mentorship
Feedback on a personal project
Space to experiment and strengthen your creative voice
What Emerging Creators Project Looks for
We are not only looking for students with the most polished portfolios or the most experience.
We are looking for people who are:
Curious
Responsible
Open to feedback
Willing to try new things
Prepared to communicate
Ready to participate consistently
Serious about growing as a creator
Your current access to equipment, professional connections, or previous opportunities will not be the only factors considered.
We want to understand your interests, your goals, the barriers you are facing, and how the program could help you move forward.
Emerging Creators Project cannot guarantee employment, internships, or paid creative work.
Our goal is to help you become better prepared to pursue those opportunities.
What You Can Gain
Depending on the program, participants may leave with:
Stronger technical and creative skills
A completed project or new portfolio work
Greater confidence working with creative tools
Experience receiving and applying feedback
A better understanding of creative careers
Stronger professional communication skills
Relationships with mentors and peers
A clearer next-step plan
Experience presenting and discussing their work
What Happens After You Apply
After submitting an application, the Emerging Creators Project team will review your interests, goals, availability, and support needs.
You may be invited to participate in a conversation so we can learn more about you and help determine which program is the best fit.
Depending on available space and program timing, applicants may be:
Accepted into an upcoming program
Placed on a waitlist
Invited to apply for a future cohort
Referred to another ECP opportunity
Connected with another community resource
Every applicant will receive clear information about the next step.
You Don’t Have to Have Everything Figured Out
Many emerging creators know they want to do something meaningful with their creativity but do not yet know exactly what career, role, or path is right for them.
That’s okay.
You don’t need a perfect portfolio, professional equipment, or a complete career plan before applying.
You do need to be ready to participate, communicate, receive feedback, and take ownership of your growth.
Ready to take your next step?
Apply to the program that best matches what you need right now.