The San Mateo County Executive's Office has launched a call for applications to find its next youth cultural ambassadors, and applicants have until the end of this May to apply.
The program seeks to foster a love of the arts as a vehicle for self-expression and civic engagement among San Mateo County youth, as well as build community through arts and culture with the goal of greater youth engagement in the community, as well as highlight the role of arts and culture in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and other public discourses.
To become a Cultural Ambassador, interested artists must be between the ages of 15-19, have a major in one or more artistic disciplines—e.g., literary, visual arts, theater, music, digital, etc.—, have experience in community events and projects or outreach, be able to serve as a Youth Cultural Ambassador for one year beginning in July 2023, and be a resident of San Mateo County.
Up to five Youth Cultural Ambassadors will be appointed, including one Youth Poetry Ambassador.
Those interested should visit the site https://tinyurl.com/smcyca-arts to complete an online application form. You will be asked to attach a description of your work, i.e. how you create art and why you do it, as well as 3-5 samples of your work.
The deadline to submit your application is May 31st.
A panel of judges will review the panel of applicants in June and Young Cultural Ambassadors will be appointed for a further term beginning on 1 July 2023 and ending on 30 June 2024.
One of the Youth Cultural Ambassadors will take on the role of San Mateo County Youth Poetry Ambassador. Each Ambassador will receive an honorarium of $500.
The responsibilities of the upcoming Young Cultural Ambassadors include developing and executing an arts/culture-related project that engages the community on any of the following topics: identity and belonging; mental health and healing; environment and sustainability; and education and learning.
Young people will be able to work in collaboration with a library, school or other organizations.
Additionally, they must participate in organizing an ambassador convocation event for middle and high school students during spring break 2024.
The Youth Poetry Ambassador, meanwhile, will give readings twice a year at Board of Supervisors meetings and assist with the promotion of the San Mateo County Poetry Out Loud competition.
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