2025 Metro Arts Showcase at the Figge Art Museum -- July 15.
Tuesday, July 15, 6 p.m.
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA
Honoring 25 years of creativity, mentorship, and youth expression through Quad City Arts' Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program, the 2025 Metro Arts Showcase will be held at Davenport's Figge Art Museum on July 15, the night celebrating the organization that has empowered young creatives through approximately 113 community-based projects including murals, mosaics, films, and more.
Presented by MetroNet, this year's Metro Arts Showcase will highlight the 2025 cohort’s finished work, feature reflections from program alumni, and celebrate the lasting legacy of youth-powered public art in the Quad Cities. Quad City Arts' Metro program provides emerging artists with the opportunity to showcase their talent in public spaces throughout the Quad Cities region. Selected artists receive mentorship, support, and funding to create and install their artwork, enriching the cultural landscape of our communities.
Since the summer of 2000, Metro Arts has provided area youth 15 to 21 years old with paid summer apprenticeships in various arts disciplines. The program provides opportunities for youth and enhances the community through the arts. For five weeks, area youths work together in groups to complete art projects under the supervision and mentorship of professional artists. Participants learn the artistic techniques and applications of their particular genre while developing personally and professionally. Tracks have varied in improv, graphic design, mural painting, and poetry. Murals and street paintings throughout the Quad Cities are the lasting legacy of programs past.
Participants work on group projects under the supervision of a professional artist. Participants learn the artistic techniques and applications of their particular genre while developing personally and professionally. Apprentices receive a stipend of $500, and Senior Apprentices (project leaders) receive a stipend of $750. This year, apprentices will work closely with independent filmmakers and educators to learn the art of documentary filmmaking and its process from start to finish. Apprentices will craft short form documentaries, from script to screen, exploring writing, filming, editing, and sound design. Using professional gear and journalistic practices, you'll grasp film design principles applicable to feature length documentaries and short form content creation, including helping document and craft compelling multimedia stories about the Metro Arts program.
Additionally, under local professional muralists, apprentices collaborate with clients to design and paint vibrant murals around the Quad Cities. Apprentices will get feedback from clients on design elements, then work as a team of artists to create two or more concepts to be presented. Once a design has been approved by the client, the apprentices will spend four weeks painting the mural on-site.
The 2025 Metro Arts Showcase will be held at Davenport's Figge Art Museum on July 15, advance-registration reservations are required, and more information is available by calling (309)793-1213 and visiting QuadCityArts.com.
