Frequently Asked Questions:

  • All aspiring Art Department professionals aged 18 and older are eligible to apply. We are looking for participants who are self-motivated, team players eager to challenge themselves with a new range of skills. There are no educational requirements or age limitations. No prior experience in film or theater is required. Participants will gain the best experience in the program if they have had some practical on-set experience (as a set pa, student film production designer, day playing union set dresser, etc.) and know they’re interested in a long term career in the art dept, but not exactly sure which department yet. You don't need to have drawing abilities, but any artistic skills are a bonus. 

  • Our inaugural cohort was in-person only at our host, Pace University. It ran from June 3 to July 3, Monday through Friday from 8am to 1pm. Wednesday, June 19th, there were no classes in observation of the Juneteenth holiday. Each day's instruction location varies between the classroom and field trips to local vendors around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Details for our Summer 2025 Program will be announced in the Spring.

  • There is no tuition, and course materials are provided. This includes basics such as an architectural scale ruler, a sketchbook, and drawing pens. A laptop computer is required for in-person instruction and must have a 2.8+ GHz Intel processor, 8GB+ RAM, and at least 1GB of free desk space. If you would like to apply, but don't have a laptop with these capabilities, and can't afford one, contact us.

  • Attendance is required Monday through Friday from 8am to 1pm for regular instruction. Participants will have some studio time to work on their projects during class with support from peers and instructors, but are highly encouraged to dedicate a few hours per day outside of class. We hope the morning hours will help alleviate any stress from additional obligations participants may have from part-time jobs or being caretakers. 

  • Art Craft focuses only on the skills relevant to the process of conceptualizing and executing the design of a narrative project without the unnecessary fluff. 

    Lessons move quickly through a partnered course-long design project, simulating the collaborative, yet fast-paced nature of the business. 

    During lectures, each instructor shares real examples of specific scenarios they face to prepare students for the realities of the ever-evolving industry.

    Each class, whether it's lectures, panels, field trips, or demonstrations, is led by active industry professionals. With the class size capped at 12 students, there is clear opportunity for students to make direct relationships with potential future employers.

    The program concludes with an open portfolio review where members of the local industry are invited to view student design decks, wrap books, and resumes.

  • We are not currently accredited, and cannot offer credits towards college degrees. Our focus is equipping students with skills as defined by the changing industry standards, not traditional education standards. However, feel free to contact us if you would like us to be in touch with your school about course completion qualifying other graduation requirements, such as an internship.

  • Art Craft is a jumpstart for art department newcomers' careers. Guest instructors become mentors and career advisors. There is no direct pipeline to union membership.

    Though there is no direct job placement, we do connect alumni with job opportunities through our online message board. We also provide a one year subscription to ArtCube Nation, an online hub of art department materials, resources, and job opportunities.

  • Not at all! There's so many positions in the Art Department that don't require drawing skills. And for the drawing portion of the course, we teach you the basics from how to use an architecture scale ruler to how to draw a floorplan to how to take your 2D drawings to a 3D rendering.

  • There are currently no residency requirements to attend. However, this is a program by New Yorkers and for New Yorkers. We want to keep it open to folks who may be trying to move to NYC and want to get started with local networking opportunities. We do not advise you to attend Art Craft if you do not intend to live and work in NYC immediately following program completion. The program is very specifically catered to the local industry here, and we want to make sure every single participant is getting the most out of the experience as possible. Instead, we recommend you check out our Resources Guide and sign up for our mailing list to know when we add networking events and weekend workshops to our program roster. 

  • After an overwhelming amount of applications for our very first cohort, we're working hard to address the expressed needs and offer more support throughout the year. You can start with our Resources Guide and sign up for our mailing list to know when we add networking events and weekend workshops to our program roster.