Arts Career Exploration Spotlight (ACES)

Overture's Arts Career Exploration Spotlight (ACES) program is intended for Madison-area middle and high-school students of color to explore local arts organizations and career possibilities through hands-on experiences. As the anchor of downtown Madison’s cultural arts district and the largest nonprofit arts organization in Wisconsin, Overture is committed to creating new opportunities for Madison-area young people who have been systemically left out of the arts.

ACES offers activities customized to the needs, interests and abilities of participating students. Overture has partnered with organizations throughout the community and beyond to offer various perspectives on working in the expansive range of visual and performing arts. Students are encouraged to engage in various arts forms, from painting and drawing to music, dance and theater, and gain exposure to varied arts careers, from administration to technical careers and art creation. Students also engage in experiential field trips connected to the arts.

Middle school students who are rising seventh graders through recent high school seniors are welcome to apply. Students who complete the entire three-week program receive a stipend dependent on attendance and program participation.

Key elements of ACES include arts careers exploration, literacy, financial literacy and health and social-emotional wellbeing. Arts experiences will include administrative, artistic and technical careers.

What careers are in the arts?

Check out just a sampling of career options in our Careers in the Arts document.

VIEW THE DOCUMENT

ACES 2024 Report