Shumka Centre / Art Apprenticeship Network | 2020 – 2022

Art Apprenticeship Network is a new program developed by Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship to fund student apprenticeships with established artists, curators and cultural workers. Through this program, Emily Carr students will assist artists with studio work and project production. Developed to build and strengthen the local art ecosystem through a part-time apprenticeship model, the program aims to create opportunities for paid work, social connection, and hands-on experience for emerging practitioners while supporting established artists and cultural workers by connecting them with assistants at no cost.

The program will run between 2020 – 2022.

Apprentice roles may include studio production and fabrication work, administrative tasks, assisting with documentation or and post-production of artworks, packaging, shipping and handling works, or contributing to archive management or communications materials. 

How it Works

  • Established artists or curators working in the Vancouver area, or workers associated with a not-for-profit apply with a well-defined project or scope of work 
  • The Shumka Centre shares the opportunities with senior-level students at Emily Carr, who indicate which opportunities they’re interested in
  • The Shumka Centre liaises with selected artists, curators and cultural workers and connects them with Emily Carr students who have applied to work with them
  • Established artists, curators and cultural workers choose the best match
  • Emily Carr students apprentice for approximately 150 hours (depending on the scope and timeline of the project) 
  • Apprentices are paid by Emily Carr University 
  • There are no participation costs 

Program FAQ

  • Can Emily Carr University regular and non-regular faculty apply for this program?

Yes. The Art Apprenticeship Network is open to all established artists and artist collectives located in the lower mainland, including regular and non-regular Emily Carr University faculty.

All faculty with a studio practice are encouraged to apply. Please note that this is not a means to fund school-related projects. Art Apprenticeship Network selection committee will consider projects happening outside of Emily Carr only.

News about Art Apprenticeship Network


The Art Apprenticeship Network is generously funded by the RBC Foundation.


Operated by Living Labs, the Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship launched in 2018 to foster the movement of artists and designers into systems and situations where their work and ideas can have the most impact. The Shumka Centre is generously supported by the Vancouver Foundation.

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