Creators Studio

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The MCA Denver Creators Studio Program is a collaborative, 8-week, paid internship experience for young adults ages 18-26. 

This is a cohort-based program that brings together professional artists and young creators to build community and connections within the Denver art scene. All participants will receive creative training, entrepreneurial development, and mentorship from some of the city’s leading creatives. Additional discipline-specific training will also be provided in one of two learning tracks: visual arts and creative exploration. At the end of the program, participants will engage in a forum to present what they learned as a final creative pitch.

Participants will meet on Saturdays from 9AM-5PM at the Holiday Theater. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Creators Studio has been made possible through the generous support of Amie Knox and Jim Kelley, with additional support from James R. Scott and the Homer A. & Mildred S. Scott Foundation.

Applications open Friday March 1, 2024 and close Friday, April 5, 2024.

Image with a flower coming out of a sculpted bust. Text overlay reads, "Visual Arts".
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The Visual Arts Track is for young visual artists who are interested in learning about discipline-specific opportunities, including creating a portfolio, connecting with visual art spaces, and finding collaborative opportunities in Denver and beyond. 

Person sitting, holding a flower that partially covers their face. They are posing in front of a deep orange background. Text on the image reads, "Creative Exploration"
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The Creative Exploration Track is a cross-disciplinary opportunity for young creatives who are interested in defining their practice, exploring creative career paths, and connecting with other creative working professionals.

Coat jacket, pants, and sneakers positioned on a chair like there's a person sitting in them. There are flowers where the person's head should be. Text on the image reads, "Entrepreneurial Training"
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Both tracks will receive Entrepreneurial Development Training, which includes business modeling, strategic management, principles of accounting, marketing, promotion, and pitching.

Two images: One featuring daisies and one featuring feet coming out of a field of flowers, almost as if a person is doing a headstand. Text overlay reads, "Creators Studio"
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Dates of Internship

  • June 1
  • June 8
  • June 15
  • June 22
  • June 29
  • July 13
  • July 20 
  • July 27 (Presentation Day)
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Typical Day Schedule

  • 9AM-12PM: Entrepreneurial Development/Small Group Session
  • 12-1PM: Lunch
  • 1-5PM: Individual track breakout
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Creators Studio Applicants must:

  • Be a Denver resident ( Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties)
  • Be between the ages of 18-26
  • Have a high school diploma/GED (2024 graduating seniors are eligible as this is a summer program.)
  • Be interested in exploring visual arts or the creative space in general.
  • Be available for the internship dates and final presentation day.
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Application Process

  • Applicants will apply through the MCA Denver website
  • Once applications close, they will be reviewed.
  • After review, select applicants will be asked to do a brief virtual interview with MCA Denver staff
  • All applicants interviewed will be notified if they have been selected.
Close up of artist Moe Gram. There's a pinkish hue lighting up her face.
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Moe Gram is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Denver, CO and works on a diverse array of mediums that include painting, mural, collage, and installation. Gram graduated from California State University Bakersfield with a major in Visual Arts and a minor in Cultural Studies, during which she participated in a 6-month museum studies and studio art program in Florence, Italy. Currently, Moe's art can be seen in murals throughout Colorado, an installation at the Denver Art Museum's Creative Hub, the Arvada Center, Empower Field at Mile High, and at various locations throughout the Denver metro area and state of Colorado. Moe Gram’s work is distinctive, engaging, and thoughtful. Through her playful color palette, messaging, and juxtaposition of unique embellishments and found objects, Moe’s work encourages the viewer to absorb and reflect- for the betterment of oneself and collectively for us all.

Portrait of Castle Searcy sporting a soft smile, v neck black shirt, and long brown hair with bangs framing her face.
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Castle Searcy is essentially a Colorado native with time spent in San Francisco and the Deep South. She lives between NYC and Denver while running creative strategy, design and art consulting for her own firm, Castle Productions. She was on the founding board of  Denver Startup Week as Design Track Chair and currently serves as the Creative Director. Among many Denver public art curation projects, she notably co-produced Between Us: The Downtown Denver Alleyways Project. Searcy specializes in creative strategy for brands and organizations working at the intersection of art, design, film, fashion and entrepreneurship.

Portrait of Michael Bevis wearing a suit and striped tie, sitting next to a body of water and tall, city buildings behind him.
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Michael Bevis is an entrepreneur and business professional who is driven to help others reach their full potential. His talents and experiences are unique, encompassing the areas of business marketing, leadership, personal branding, and higher education. Bevis is an industrial and organizational psychologist with additional graduate degrees in finance and marketing. Bevis currently manages all things related to entrepreneurship and innovation for the city and county of Denver.  He also is the founder and CEO of KoolSkinz, a pet product company specializing in pet performance wear. Bevis has started three non-profits and serves as a board member for several others. 

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2022 Cohort

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We launched Creators Studio in 2022 with 20 incredible participants!