Artist Access.
A six-month earn-and-learn program for emerging artists — built to open doors, build skills, and remove the barriers between you and a sustainable creative career.
✦ Photo by Chie Endo (Eani Creative) · Cinemaker, 2025
Removing the barriers.
"The Artist Access Earn-and-Learn Program is rooted in a deep commitment to truly supporting emerging and independent artists in media arts and digital media. It removes barriers by providing the tools, resources, and opportunities artists need to learn, create, and refine their craft. Through this program, artists can expand their creative practice, connect with the local community, and build work that makes a lasting impact.
The Artist Access Program is a hands-on earn-and-learn opportunity that blends workforce development with creative growth. Participants receive job training, real-world skills, and resume-building experience — while gaining the tools, education, and studio access needed to create and thrive as an artist.
This is not an internship. It's a robust, skill-building program designed to provide meaningful workforce experience while directly investing in your artistic journey.
A real investment in your practice.
Five things, six months.
1-Year Cinemaker membership
Unlimited access to professional studios, equipment, and a vibrant creative community. Yours for a full calendar year — well beyond the 6-month program.
$2,000 education fund
Apply toward any of our classes, workshops, or programs to deepen your skills — cinematography, editing, sound, screenwriting, anything in the catalog.
On-site job training
Practical experience in arts administration, studio operations, event coordination, customer service, and technical workflows — the real skills that translate across the creative sector.
Career credentials
Strengthen your career prospects and build your portfolio with documented new skills, studio access, and professional references.
Creative community connections
Collaborate with like-minded creatives. Expand your local network. Find your next collaborator, mentor, or co-conspirator. This is the part you can't put on a resume but matters most.
Reliable. Enthusiastic. One of these.
People person
You excel with people. Customer-facing comes naturally, and you're comfortable being the welcoming face of a creative space.
Tech savvy
Comfortable with software, hardware, equipment, and technical workflows. You like figuring out how things work and helping others do the same.
Natural organizer
You love structure, systems, and getting things done. Spreadsheets bring you joy. Processes are your love language.
Willing to learn
You bring curiosity and effort. You don't need to have everything figured out — just the openness to grow into whatever the role calls for.
If you're excited to support a space that uplifts local artists and fosters creativity, we want to hear from you.
From application to first day.
July 1 — Aug 15
August 30
September 15
Oct 1 — Mar 31
Meet the 2025/2026 artists.
✦ The full rosterSee the 2025/2026 cohort on our Creative Team page
Photos, names, and details for all 15 current participants live on our Creative Team page — alongside our staff and board.
Visit the Creative Team page →Flipping the model.
We aim to flip the traditional workforce training model on its head — centering the power of creating art and the importance of supporting independent artists at every stage of their career.
The Artist Access Program was designed to break down the barriers that often keep emerging creatives from accessing professional tools, education, and industry connections. By providing hands-on training in our studios and classrooms, the program gives local residents practical experience, real-world skills, and resumes built for the creative sector.
It also enriches our community by ensuring that diverse voices and talents have the resources and support they need to thrive — keeping our city's artistic ecosystem vibrant, inclusive, and innovative.
Your involvement also directly supports a long-standing nonprofit dedicated to empowering artists of all mediums — providing the education, space, and tools they need to grow their careers and expand their work.
Success looks different here.
Success looks different for every person — and it's not always measured by how much capital you generate.
We understand that making money is part of the world we live in. But our focus is on giving the community space to create meaningful work and build skills that lead to future opportunities.
Media arts is part of every industry, and the abilities developed here have value far beyond the studio. Everyone has to start somewhere — this program is designed to meet people where they are, providing the resources, space, and support they need to take the next step.
Economic development is not the driver of this program — it's a byproduct. Art is not economic development, but economic development happens when the arts are supported.
Get on the list.
Applications for the 2026/2027 cohort open July 1, 2026. Add your name below to be first in line when applications go live.