The San Mateo County Executive Office has launched the call to find its next young cultural ambassadors, who have until the last day 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 the youth of San Mateo County, as well as build community through art and culture with the goal of greater youth participation in the community, as well as highlight the role of arts and culture in STEAM ? Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics? and other public speeches.
To become a cultural ambassador, interested artists must be between the ages of 15 and 19, have a specialization in one or more artistic disciplines ?eg. literary, visual arts, theater, music, digital, etc.?, 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 named, 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, ie 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 31.
A panel of judges will review the panel of applicants in June and the Young Cultural Ambassadors designation will be given for a new term beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024.
One of the Youth Cultural Ambassadors will assume the role of San Mateo County Youth Poetry Ambassador. Each Ambassador will receive an honorarium of $500.
Among the responsibilities of the next Young Cultural Ambassadors are to develop and execute a project related to the arts/culture that involves the community in 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.
In addition, they must participate in organizing an ambassador call event for middle and high school students during spring break 2024.
Meanwhile, for the Youth Poetry Ambassador, he must give readings twice a year at the Board of Supervisors meetings and help with the promotion of the San Mateo County Poetry Aloud competition.
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