Program Purpose
Arts Workforce Development is Edutainment’s response to a major and persistent gap in youth career readiness: traditional job fairs and workforce initiatives frequently exclude the arts and entertainment industries, despite the fact that these industries are among the largest employers in the United States and include thousands of stable, skilled, and high-paying careers.
Young people are routinely told to pursue careers that feel “safe,” while being denied exposure to the real workforce behind the creative world they already consume daily- music, film, television, theatre, gaming, events, and digital media.
Edutainment’s Arts Workforce Development initiative ensures youth understand the truth:
The arts are not only expression. They are employment.
Overview
Arts Workforce Development introduces youth and young adults (ages 14–24) to the wide range of careers in arts, entertainment, and creative industries through interactive learning, hands-on training, and real-world connections.
The program includes:
A) Career Exposure Modules
Participants explore career tracks such as:
Theatre & Live Production
-
Lighting Designer / Lighting Technician
-
Sound Engineer / Audio Technician
-
Stage Manager
-
Scenic Designer / Carpenter
-
Props Artisan
-
Wardrobe / Costume Designer
-
House Manager
-
Production Coordinator
Film, Television & Digital Media
-
Camera Operator
-
Editor
-
Script Supervisor
-
Production Assistant
-
Set Designer
-
Location Manager
-
Foley Artist / Sound Design
-
Casting Assistant
Music Industry
-
Audio Engineering
-
Live Sound
-
Artist Management
-
Tour Management
-
Booking
-
Studio Production
Creative Business & Administration
-
Arts Administration
-
Grant Writing
-
Marketing & PR
-
Development / Fundraising
-
Social Media & Content Production
-
Box Office / Ticketing Systems
-
Program Coordination
Fashion, Design & Creative Retail
-
Fashion Design
-
Styling
-
Creative Direction
-
Merchandising
-
Fashion Photography
Events, Festivals & Experiences
-
Event Producer
-
Venue Operations
-
Vendor Management
-
Sponsorship Coordinator
-
Hospitality & Guest Experience
B) Skill-Building Workshops
Participants receive practical skills training such as:
-
Resume and portfolio building
-
LinkedIn profile development (creative industry aligned)
-
Professional communication and workplace readiness
-
Interviewing and audition readiness
-
Creative project management
-
Team-based production simulations
C) Internship & Pathway Connections
Edutainment will partner with local arts organizations, venues, and creative businesses to provide:
-
Internship placement pathways
-
Volunteer-to-intern pipelines
-
Job shadowing opportunities
-
Mentorship matches
-
Certification-aligned learning opportunities
Why This Program Is Needed
Workforce development in most communities is incomplete because it treats the arts as extracurricular, not economic. This program corrects that gap by expanding the definition of “career readiness” to include creative careers and technical arts jobs.
This program is also essential because many youth already possess creative strengths, they simply do not know those strengths are employable.
Arts Workforce Development equips youth with real, modern career pathways that reflect the world they live in. This initiative builds a bridge between youth talent and the industries that need skilled workers, while addressing educational disengagement, opportunity gaps, and limited exposure to viable career options.
Funding for this program supports curriculum development, teaching artist contracts, internship coordination, production equipment, and paid training opportunities for youth.