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Stay tuned! Summer application opening April 1, 2024!

Apply to a Spring Opportunity!

Open to Chicago teens ages 14-18 and in high school, every ASM program allows you to explore your passions, learn new skills, and earn money at the same time!

Please check the location of the programs you are applying to and be sure you will have safe transportation to and from the program.

Spring programs will run February 26 – May 11, 2024.

Choose from a variety of ASM programs in this 2-week experience (January 29 – February 9)!

Open to Chicago teens ages 14-18, every ASM program allows you to explore your passions, learn new skills, and earn money at the same time!

Fall programs begin on September 25.

Interview Schedule:

🌟 In-person Interviews for Programs Hosted at ASM Buildings on the following days:

  • Tuesday, February 13 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 15 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 17 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Note: Please come prepared for auditions or with art materials if the program requires it.Β 

ASM Building Locations:Β 
*You must interview at the ASM building where the program runs!

πŸ“ The Michael and Karyn Lutz CenterΒ | 3435 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641

πŸ“ Gallery 37 Center for the Arts | 66 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601

πŸ“ After School Matters at Gately Park | 10201 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Chicago, IL 60628

🌟 For Programs Not at an ASM Building: Instructors will contact teens about an interview via email.

In an ASM program, you will:

  • Gain hands-on experience while working with instructors who are professionals in their field
  • Develop new skills
  • Make friends
  • Create a plan for the future
  • Increase self-confidence
  • Immerse yourself in community and culture
  • Find a sense of purpose
  • and more!

By participating in an ASM program and successfully meeting the program requirements, you will earn a financial stipend.

I-9 Employment Verification for Teen Interns

Full details and schedule to complete your I-9 Employment Verification before the start of programs.

Now Offering

Spring Break Programs!

March 25 – March 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Earn $100 for this 4-day opportunity.

Log into Your Teen Dashboard

Check on the status of your application, see if you’re on track to get paid, and more.

Apply for ASM’s
Winter Wellness Challenge

Take part in the challenge
December 23 – January 1 and earn a $150 stipend by completing 7 of the 10 challenge prompts.

Have a question and need support?

Types of Programs

Arts

Performing, visual, and culinary arts

Communication & Leadership

Business, journalism, marketing and media

Sports

Sports instruction, stadium management, health and wellness

STEM

Applied and natural science, audio/visual, industrial and information technology

FAQs About Applying

To participate in an After School Matters Spring program, you must:

  • Be a resident of Chicago and attend a Chicago High School.
  • Be 14 years old by the first day of Spring programs, February 26.

Instructors will communicate directly with teens as they finalize their program rosters throughout the recruitment period – from now until the first day of programs.

ALL teens who apply to a program will receive a status notification via email. This email will let you know whether or not you have been placed in each program to which you applied. Teens who are not placed in programs at that point will be encouraged to apply for additional programs.

You may apply to up to six programs per program session.

When completing your application, have your CPS ID number ready (if applicable), a functioning email address, and/or phone number. A valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is accepted but not required for your application.

Teens applying to internships must be at least 16-years-old and must complete employment verification requirements, I-9 and W-4 forms, after you have been placed in a program.

If you do not have a Social Security number or ITIN, you can still participate in some After School Matters programs! Please talk to your program instructor for more information.

No, you may only participate in one program per program session. We do encourage you to participate in more programs in future sessions.

Most programs require an in-person or virtual interview. This is a time to connect with the instructor, share why you want to participate in the program, what other obligations you may have during the session, how the instructor can best support you, and any questions.

If a program needs additional participants, they may pull teens from the waitlist. In this case, an instructor will reach out to teens via email or phone to invite them to interview.

If you wish to switch programs, contact your school liaison or program staff asap. All program switches should take place by the first week of a program session.

All teens that meet the stipend eligibility requirements will receive a stipend based on the program level and frequency. Learn more about Teen Pay, here.

Follow these steps:
  1. Use your Application ID to log into your Teen Dashboard under “Edit an Existing Application.”
  2. Search for the program you want to apply to from the list below.
  3. Add the program to your application.
  4. Click “next” all the way through to fully submit the application.
  5. Be on the lookout for enrollment offers in your email or your Teen Dashboard.

Reach out directly to the instructors of the programs you applied to (visible on the Teen Dashboard) via email to introduce yourself, check in on the status of your application, and share the reasons why you want to be in their program. From there, each instructor will get back to you about possibly setting up an interview or status of your application.

Give us a follow @afterschoolmatters to stay up-to-date on all things After School Matters. You might even see yourself or your program featured!