Express Yourself and Build the World You Imagine!
About Locust Art Builders (LAB): Now in its 15th year in 2025, LAB is a unique summer art intensive for high school students with an interest in art, design, and exploring creative careers. In spring 2025 an open call will invite up to 30 students from across Miami-Dade County to learn from professional artists in a dynamic program over five weeks next summer. Selected students will dive right into the creative, and practical, aspects of completing a collaborative full-scale exhibition at Locust Projects!
2025 LAB THEME: DIGITAL DAYDREAMS
EXPLORING CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICES AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND TECHNOLOGY
Drawing inspiration from the current exhibition Blackstar by Tomas Vu, this year's LAB is inspired by David Bowie’s legacy of experimentation and boundary-pushing artistry.
Students will experiment with digital tools to explore memory, machine-generated imagery, and immersive media and will integrate collage, sound design, video projections, and 3D printing to craft a collective dreamscape. No techical experience required.
LAB 2025 INTENSIVE DATES: June 16 - July 17, 2024 | Mondays – Thursdays | 10am - 3pm - (9am early drop off and 5pm pick up available)
(Note Thursday June 19th is a holiday, no LAB that day).
Students must attend 19 days total, which includes the Saturday, July 19 opening reception and certificate ceremony. Only one absence allowed. Friday, July 18 is an absence make-up day.
OPENING RECEPTION FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY: Saturday, July 19 | 6-8pm
APPLICATION OPENS: March 27, 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 10, 2025
LAB is FREE.
Students will be provided with free lunch daily.
Students may request a transportation stipend to assist with travel to and from Locust Projects.
Students will receive a Builder Bag with art supplies and more along with an artist edition shirt. All workshop tools and equipment provided.
Students may be able to receive community service hours for their participation; please ask your school for details.
Who is eligible? Students currently enrolled in public or private high schools in Miami-Dade County. Students must have completed at least one year of high school by June 2025. Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders as well as graduating 12th graders are all eligible to apply.
Who is not eligible? Students who are in middle school, entering ninth grade in the fall, or who graduated in 2024 or prior.
Can I take days off from LAB? Only one absence allowed. Students must attend a minimum of 19 days - if you have a pre-college program or vacation planned or other commitment, please do not apply to LAB. Thursday, June 19th is a holiday. No LAB that day. Friday, July 18 is an absence make-up day.
Can I apply if I am not sure I want to go to art school? Of course! LAB is the perfect place to explore your interest in art or design, learn how to make things using new skills and tools, and learn all about careers in the arts. Whether or not you go to art school, LAB can help you gain confidence and learn how to problem solve creatively.
Can I work on my personal projects as part of LAB? While some tasks will involve working independently, working collaboratively with other young artists is a crucial part of LAB. Most projects, and the final exhibition, are produced as a team. Personal art practices often feed into this final result, but it is important that applicants understand that they will also be required to work closely with other young artists during LAB. If you are not open to working collaboratively as part of a team, this program might not be the right fit for you.
Can PDFs include links? Yes, they may include links to websites, video hosting services like YouTube or Vimeo, as well as links to galleries, previous exhibitions, and/or past reviews, if applicable.
Can I submit my application without using the online submission system Submittable? Unfortunately, no. All submissions must be submitted through Submittable. Submittable accounts are free. If you need assistance completing your application, please let us know by reaching out to programs@locustprojects.org. We're happy to help!
Who can I speak to if I have more questions? For more info, please contact: digital@locustprojects.org or 305.576.8570. LAB is intended to be accessible to all Miami students, If you need assistance to participate in LAB, please let us know.
What's on the application?
WHY IS LAB FOR YOU? Express your interest in LAB via text or video. We'd love to know what you want to learn this summer and why you are a good fit for this opportunity!
SHOW US YOUR CREATIVE SIDE: Share up to 6 recently completed art works, designs, or projects. You can upload photos of your work or show us your work in a short video!
IMAGE CAPTION SHEET: Please include a PDF with the title, media, date, and a brief description of each art work.
OPTIONAL: Letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or advisor.
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