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Teen Arts Apprentice Program

About


The Teen Arts Apprentice Program (TAAP) is an arts-based workforce development program for Bronx based young adults (15-19) in high school and beyond. The program includes comprehensive job training, apprenticeships across several artistic disciplines, and cultural enrichment activities led by world renowned NYC cultural institutions such as the Whitney Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Young Concert Artists, and Public Works of the Public Theater. 


Apprentices are offered a part-time paid position Monday-Friday, with the exception of mandatory enrichment activities (unpaid, at no cost to the participant). Examples of recent activities include: a videography workshop at Ghetto Film School; an original performance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Teens Take the Met event, developed in partnership with the Public Works program of the Public Theater; and a 4-week art-making workshop with a teaching artist from the Whitney Museum culminating in a showcase of their artwork and a private tour of the Whitney Biennial. 


TAAP seeks young people who are prepared to learn professional skillsets, serve their community, and participate in—and perhaps become a part of—New York City’s vibrant arts and culture ecosystem! Following high school graduation, we encourage Apprentices to apply for continued employment at Casita Maria as Group Facilitators, and following college graduation to apply as full-time staff. 


How to Apply

Interested in joining TAAP?

Submit an interest form here:

TAAP Google Interest Form

When positions open in the program, Casita Maria will host a family meet & greet for the upcoming season (Summer & Fall). Those who submit the interest form will receive an invitation to attend the meet & greet with a parent or guardian.


To apply, applicants need to participate in 3 free tutoring sessions covering resume writing, cover letter drafting, professional email writing, and interview preparation. Those accepted into the program will be compensated for these sessions.


Following application submission, select candidates may be invited to interview with Casita Maria's Artistic Director and the TAAP Coordinator.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Lives in the Bronx
  • Ages 15–19
  • Passion for the arts
  • Interest in working with young artists (Kindergarten-Middle School)
  • Available Monday–Friday, 12–5PM (Summer) or 3–6PM (School Year), with some possible night and weekend hours
  • Must be available for mandatory Thursday enrichment activities


English language learners are encouraged to apply—fluency in English is not required.


TAAP Bios

Leandro Acosta

Leandro Acosta (he/him) is a Dominican artist based in the Bronx, NY. Currently, he is a Teen Arts Apprentice at Casita Maria, where he cultivates his love for art and expresses himself creatively. He has worked under the direction of Dahlia Lopez Ramsay, the Manager of Community Curriculum of the Public Theater in preparation for Teens Take The Met. He also served as assistant Prop Master and Stage Manager for El Teatro Casita- a Vaudeville Showcase. Leandro dreams of continuing to grow both personally and artistically, while remaining proud of his Dominican roots.


Leandro is a visual artist who likes to make others happy. He creates art to help others see the world through new eyes.


Frida Bido

Frida Bido (she/her) is a Dominican artist and poet. She is a senior at The American Dream School. She has performed at The Met Museum's Teens Take The Met, and emceed Casita’s South Bronx Culture Festival. Through her work with TAAP, she continues to grow in both her artistic and professional journey. Her capstone project, My Thoughts In A Sunset, is a poetry book that reflects her life experiences and the realities of her community, using poems to tell stories that are both personal and collective.


Frida creates art to express herself and to find a path beyond her environment. Her last name carries a deep artistic legacy, as she comes from a family of multidisciplinary artists. She sees herself as part of that legacy, using her work to continue and expand her family’s creative impact.


Jerlyn Fernandez

Jerlyn Fernandez (she/her) is a Dominican artist raised in the Bronx. Currently, she works at Casita Maria as a Teen Arts Apprentice, and she is a graduate of the Barbizon Modeling and Acting school. In the 2026-27 school year, she is looking forward to opening her mind to different artistic perspectives and writing forms.


Writing is enlightening. When Jerlyn writes, she acknowledges emotions and actions in retrospect more than she does in the moment. Recognizing these discoveries allows her to see the world differently than before.


Dulce Garcia

Dulce Garcia (she/her) is a Mexican-American aspiring educator, majoring in psychology and minoring in early childhood education at Lehman College. She is currently a Teens Arts Apprentice at Casita Maria, and is a teaching assistant in the program’s Writers Studio. She has worked under the direction of Dahlia Lopez Ramsay, the Manager of Community Curriculum of the Public Theater, and performed at the Met Museum’s as part of Teens Take The Met. Dulce has participated in Casita Maria’s South Bronx Culture Festival and emceed El Teatro Casita, a summer showcase.


Dulce is from the Bronx, where she was taught the power of education and the importance of creativity. She centers her artistry around themes of creativity and self expression. At Casita Maria she combines her love of art and passion for youth education.



Houleymatou Gory

Houleymatou Gory (she/her) is an African-American scholar and Teen Arts Apprentice at Casita Maria Center For Arts & Education. Originally from the Bronx, NY, she was taught that art comes in many shapes and forms. At Casita Maria, she embraces this by taking on diverse roles. She has served as the Props Master and Assistant Stage Manager for El Teatro Casita, a summer showcase. She has worked on the marketing team for the Winter Spectacular, and offsite events featuring Bronx Banda at El Museo del Barrio. She also worked as a stage hand for the South Bronx Culture Festival and performed at The Met Museum's Teens Take the Met.

 

Art reminds Houley to be grateful for her past & present experiences. Working with the youth means the world to her, and it brings out light in her community.


Mariam Gory

Mariam Gory (she/her) is an African American artist, licensed EMT, and a freshman at New York University. As a Teen Arts Apprentice at Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, she uses art, performance and storytelling as forms of expression and personal growth. She has emceed at Casita’s South Bronx Culture Festival and for El Teatro Casita, a Vaudeville Showcase. She performed at The Met Museum's Teens Take the Met under the direction of Dahlia Lopez Ramsay, the Manager of Community Curriculum of the Public Theater.


As an African-American artist, she uses creativity to express her identity and roots, sharing her story when words fall short. Inspired by her culture and community, her work  explores themes of growth and self expression. By experimenting with diverse artistic styles, she aims to create meaningful art that forms personal connections with others.


Lizmeyri Marte

Lismeyri Marte (she/her) is a Dominican artist originally from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. She is also an athlete, and has served as the captain of the Graham Windham After-School Program soccer team. She is a Teen Arts Apprentice at Casita Maria and works in the Visual Arts Studio under the direction of Maria Luisa Portuondo Vila, the Associate Coordinator of Visual Arts Programs at Casita Maria. She has performed at Teens Take the Met, under the direction of Dahlia Lopez Ramsay, the Manager of Community Curriculum at the Public Theater. She served as the emcee for Selections from In The Heights, and worked at Casita Maria’s South Bronx Culture Festival. 


Lismeyri is a visual artist who draws to explore the connections between emotions and symbols. Through art, she follows her spark, hoping it will lead to her authentic self.



Genesis Molina

Genesis Molina (she/her) is an Ecuadorian writer and model. She is a senior at The American Dream School. Currently, Genesis is a Teen Arts Apprentice who works as an admin assistant and supports the hip hop and ballet studios. She has also worked on the marketing team for El Teatro Casita and National Night Out, and has managed the press list for Casita Maria. She’s modeled in fashion shows for VC Models and studied at Barbizon Modeling and Acting School.


Genesis is a writer and visual artist who releases emotion through creativity. Art reminds her of her purpose: living to the fullest.


Shanell Marte

Shanell Marte (she/her) is a Dominican artist interested in early childhood development, music, and graphic design. Originally from Santiago de los Caballeros, she currently resides in New York. Previously, she was a part of Casita Maria’s College Bound program and is currently a Teen Arts Apprentice. Shanell has performed in Teens Take the Met, Casita Maria’s Winter Spectacular and South Bronx Culture Festival. She has also served as the stage manager for El Teatro Casita-a Vaudeville Showcase and served as assistant production manager for the South Bronx Culture Festival.


Shanell’s passion for young artists and their happiness is important to her work. She makes art to give children the opportunity to experience their childhood in a healing way.



Rey Sanchez

Rey Sanchez (he/him) is a Dominican artist from Santiago de los Caballeros living in the Bronx. He is a Teen Arts Apprentice at Casita Maria, and his favorite Arts Studio is Visual Arts. Rey has represented Casita Maria at off-site events at partner sites such as El Museo del Barrio, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and during Casita Maria events such as the annual South Bronx Culture Festival. 


Rey enjoys working with his hands, and loves using clay as a medium. He makes art to understand who he is now and to know who he will become in the future.


Yoslainy Ureña

Yoslainy Ureña she/her) is a Dominican artist who lives in the Bronx, NY. She is a Teen Arts Apprentice, and previously was part of the College Bound program at Casita Maria. Yoslainy has an interest in visual arts and musical theater, and served as the lighting designer for The Winter Spectacular, Selections from In the Heights, and El Teatro Casita- a Vaudeville Showcase. She has performed at Teens Take the Met under the direction of Dahlia Lopez Ramsay, the Manager of Community Curriculum at the Public Theater and participated in Casita Maria’s South Bronx Culture Festival. Her 2026 capstone project is a collection of stories about her life, immigration, and Casita Maria.


I write to always remember the memories of my country. When writing, I relive the beautiful moments and feelings I had there.


Cultural Enrichment Activities

At Casita Maria, we value engagement through the arts. Cultural enrichment activities are an essential part of TAAP. Activities consist of walking tours, hands-on artmaking workshops, movement and theater making classes and trips to NYC cultural institutions. All activity costs such as admission fees and travel are fully covered by Casita Maria. Examples of after-school activities include the following—summer activities may differ:

  • A 5-week artmaking workshop with a Teaching Artist from the Whitney Museum, culminating in a visit to an exhibition at the Whitney Museum. Plus the potential for your artwork to be displayed during a community event at the Museum.
  • A 7-week workshop series with the Manager of Community Curriculum at the Public Theater. TAAPers devise an original, culturally-responsive theater piece to be presented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s event, Teens Take the Met.
  • A hands-on videography workshop followed by a group critique led by filmmakers from Ghetto Film School.
  • A mini residency with musicians from Young Concert Artists. 
  • Guided exhibition tours.
  • An acting workshop with the director of ID Studio Theater designed to explore authenticity, confidence, and community building through body and voice work. 

Tutoring

As part of the program, TAAPers participate in academic tutoring focused on increasing literacy for both English language learners and native English speakers, and developing agency as young adults. The TAAPer will meet with the tutor 1:1 to assess their needs and develop a personal plan. The tutoring periods then focus on specialized instruction based on this plan. Because of Casita Maria’s commitment to literacy, these sessions are paid and considered part of Apprentice work hours. Tutoring is optional ONLY if you are 18 and older.

Arts Studios

Assist in After-School Arts Studios in a variety of disciplines while learning from professional Teaching Artists. This is a paid opportunity. Disciplines may include—summer studios may differ:

  • Ballet (K-1st grades)
  • Hip Hop/Step (K-8th grades)
  • Musical Theater (4th-8th grades)
  • Choir (4th-8th grades)
  • Visual Arts (K-8th grades)

Creative Activities

Explore and express your personal creativity through the following activities. These are paid opportunities.

  • Set design, costumes, and props for Casita Maria performances.
  • Document programs and events, and edit photos & videos for promotional purposes.
  • Develop graphic design skills by designing flyers, brochures, labels, and more.  
  • Assist with daily gallery management,installing exhibitions and lead tours. 
  • Emcee events such as the South Bronx Culture Festival and after school culminating events.
  • Work as event staff for gallery openings, after-school culminating events, Bronx Banda concerts, the South Bronx Culture Festival, and more. 
  • Serve as an ambassador and give tours of Casita Maria to guests.

Capstones

The TAAP Capstone Project gives teens the opportunity to explore artistic talents and career possibilities they’ve been introduced to at Casita Maria. TAAPers work to identify real world problems, community needs, or research questions they can address through the artistic discipline of their choice. Teens work on their Capstones throughout the course of their apprenticeship, culminating in a final presentation shared with the Casita Maria community. These projects serve as meaningful resume experiences, projects that can be added to a portfolio, and more.