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Teen Fellows

The CAC’s 15-month Teen Fellows program provides Chicago youth with a unique opportunity to build foundational architecture skills. Applications for the Summer 2025 - Summer 2026 program are open until March 31.

  • A teen wearing traditional clothing showing an adult some building models on a tableA teen wearing traditional clothing showing an adult some building models on a table

    CAC Teen Fellows Showcase, 2023

Mission Statement

The mission of the Teen Fellows, developed by participating youth, is to explore the past, experience the present and design the future. As a dedicated community of hands-on learners, Fellows question and identify how the built environment applies to their lives.

This 15-month program is offered at no cost to selected participants, and gives Chicago sophomores, juniors and seniors the chance to explore architecture and design careers, earn college credit and work alongside industry professionals. During the program, Fellows:

  • Attend college courses at Harold Washington College (HWC), earning credits from City Colleges of Chicago
  • Explore Chicago’s built environment and how it changes over time
  • Work with physical models using various materials
  • Develop design projects and begin building personal portfolios
  • Develop digital designs using the following software: Sketch-up, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Revit, Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop
  • Visit architecture firms and architecturally significant sites
  • Earn a stipend, to allow youth to prioritize program participation, regardless of financial status
  • Intern at a local architecture or design firm in the final summer of the program (paid internship, pending program performance)

Program Schedule

  • March 31 - Applications due
  • April - Interviews begin
  • May - Selected fellows informed and begin on-boarding
Summer #1
  • Fellows meet Monday-Thursday for 6 weeks, with alternating CAC and HWC coursework.
Fall
  • Fellows meet for 6 hours for 14 Saturdays, with alternating CAC and HWC coursework and breaks aligned with school calendars.
Spring
  • Fellows meet for 6 hours for 16 Saturdays, with alternating CAC and HWC coursework and breaks aligned with school calendars.
Summer #2
  • Paid internship (pending program performance) or additional HWC coursework.

Eligibility

Teen Fellows is open to incoming sophomores, juniors and seniors who attend high school in Chicago and the surrounding area, and who are able to commit to the entire duration of the program.

While applicants from outside of the city of Chicago are welcome to apply and participate, some benefits of the program are solely available to residents of the city of Chicago (scholarship tuition from City Colleges of Chicago) or CPS students (dual enrollment credits; high schools outside of CPS may accept those credits at their own discretion). Acceptance of applicants from outside Chicago will be informed by need, and accessibility to similar programs in your area.

The CAC is committed to increasing access to students from populations historically under-represented in architecture, construction, engineering and design, including BIPOC youth and those who identify as female.

Application

Applications for the Summer 2024-Summer 2025 program are closed.

To receive an alert when the next application goes live, and learn about other opportunities for youth and families at the CAC, sign up for CAC's newsletter.

Notice

Programming will be in-person only, primarily at Harold Washington College in the Loop.

Questions?

Email us at teens@architecture.org

CAC's Teen Fellows program is a part of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Youth Learning Programs.

  • Supporting sponsors

  • Program partners

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