Mayor’s Creative Youth Corps
The Mayor's Creative Youth Corps (MCYC) is a professional development, paid summer mentorship program for youth interested in arts-based leadership opportunities. Interested high school students entering their junior or senior year and recent graduates living in the Albuquerque metro area are eligible to apply. MCYC provides Albuquerque’s creative youth a safe and meaningful opportunity to develop their skills, build a professional network, and prepare for the future.
Over the last two summers, more than 80 local youth have participated in the MCYC. Each participant is assigned to a different community partner or host site and works closely with a mentor or a team of mentors to develop skills in the creative sector. Projects have included designing and printing original t-shirts; supporting summer programming for young children; painting murals; creating and editing videos; and preparing for festivals and events across Albuquerque.
Mayor’s Creative Youth Corps Host Site
The City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture is looking for creative organizations/programs and leaders who are interested in serving as host sites and/or leading professional development sessions for the 2024 cohort of the Mayor's Creative Youth Corps (MCYC). By serving as a host site, organizations/programs will be paired with a mentee(s) who will provide support to your organization’s summer programming/work. In addition to working with your specific mentee(s), we ask host sites to provide one professional development session for the entire MCYC cohort. These can be lectures, performances/film screenings, hands-on workshops, or facilitated conversations. The City will pay the MCYC youth a summer stipend for their work and commitment to Albuquerque’s creative sector. Please fill out the interest form.
Previous Community Partners
- Together for Brothers
- Albuquerque Museum
- National Hispanic Cultural Center
- Tricklock Theatre Company
- Three Sisters
- T-Shirt Lab
- New Mexico Black Leadership Council
- Public Art Urban Enhancement
- Keshet
- The Public Library - Albuquerque/Bernalillo County
- Abq ToDo
- Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
- Children's Hour
- Friends of Valle del Oro
- Airdance New Mexico
- National Institute of Flamenco
- Explora