Pre-Apprenticeship
Program
The Pre-Apprentice Program is a four- month youth leadership program for 17-24 year olds. This program focuses on development of technical metalworking skills, professional development such as resumes, artist statements and interviewing skills, supporting shop maintenance, hearing from professional artists and tradespeople about their experiences and careers and participating in a final exhibition at the end of the program. Students must have some prior knowledge of metalworking in order to participate.
This Program is Free. Apply Below 👇🏼
Meet our current pre-apprentices:
Swiff, (they/them)
Swiff loves all things blacksmithing. They are a 17 year old high school senior who loves forging hot steel and has been working in the IAMA studio since last fall.
They have been consistently building their skill set and are exploring options for next steps in their metalworking career. Swiff also loves drawing and plays the stand up bass.
Jakailah, (she/they)
Jakailah is an 18 year old high school senior from Minneapolis. She completed the CTE Welding Program through Minneapolis Public Schools last year and has been working in the IAMA studios since early winter.
She is excited to pursue a career in welding and is exploring options. Jakailah also enjoys knitting and is a prolific writer.
Lili, (she/her)
Lili is a 23 year old young artist with a background in robotics and chemistry, and finds metalworking to be a nice combination of these two interests.
She has participated in blacksmithing and copper forming at IAMA and is excited to continue her metalworking journey. Lili is originally from Northern Ireland and loves cooking.
Brandon, (he/him)
Brandon is a 17 year old high school junior from St Paul. He has experience in welding and metal fabrication and is currently enrolled in the CTE Welding Program through Minneapolis Public Schools.
He began his work with IAMA fall 2024 in blacksmithing and is interested in pursuing welding certification. Brandon also trains as a boxer and has recently begun sewing.
TO APPLY: Please Fill Out This Form
Once we receive this information we will get in touch with you to discuss the program and your application.
anvil photo image by fxquadro on Freepik
two friends youth photo by ___ on Freepik
youth with rainbow flag photo by ___ on Freepik
woman welder photo by ___ on Freepik