Urban Artisans is an internship program that aids 16-22 year-olds, with and without disabilities, with the transition from school to the workplace.

“ArtMix is a place where really fun people make really cool stuff.”

-Skilar, Urban Artisan

The Urban Artisans Program is a vocational arts training program for young adults (ages 16–22) of all abilities who are interested in building creative, professional, and social skills through art.

Under the guidance of professional Teaching Artists, interns work as a collaborative creative team to produce high-quality, marketable artwork in clay, fiber, painting, mosaics, and more. These pieces are sold in the ArtMix Gallery and local shops throughout Indianapolis, giving interns real-world experience in art production, packaging, and sales.

Designed using standards from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the program supports growth in:

-Artistic skills

-Vocational readiness

-Communication and social development

Many Urban Artisans have gone on to pursue employment and higher education after completing the program.

The program takes place year-round in ArtMix’s professional, accessible studios and typically runs 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, with scheduled breaks throughout the year.

Program Options

School Year Program (August–May)

  • In partnership with local school districts

  • Unpaid internship

  • Interns work 3–6 hours per week, depending on their schedule

Summer Program (June–July)

  • Open to young adults from the central Indiana community

  • Paid internship

  • Interns work 3–6 hours per week

  • Focus on collaborative art-making, skill-building, and hands-on studio experience

What to Expect

Urban Artisans should come ready to:

  • Work as part of a team

  • Learn new artistic and vocational skills

  • Contribute to a professional studio environment

  • Have fun while creating meaningful work

Interns should wear comfortable, professional clothing that can get messy.

For more information on how to apply, please contact the Program Director, Emily Compton: ecompton@artmixindiana.org