05/12/2026
Check out this amazing fellowship opportunity!
Attention young designers! Springboard to Design (SB2D), presented by Design Action and led by Tony Award-winning designers Clint Ramos and David Zinn, today announced the launch of The Springboard to Design Fellowship Program, a year-long, tuition-free, virtual mentorship experience for aspiring theatre designers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Designed for high school students and emerging designers ages 18-25, the program connects each Fellow with a professional designer in their chosen discipline—set, costume, lighting, projection, sound, and make-up design—offering direct mentorship, industry insight, and personalized creative feedback.
The Fellowship Program expands access to theatre design by providing mentorship, training, and community, empowering emerging designers to build confidence, develop skills, and envision a future in the arts. Fully virtual, the program allows participants to connect with mentors and peers from around the world.
SB2D pulls Fellowship Mentors from its esteemed community of Guest Artists, who are among the industry’s most celebrated designers. Collectively, the Guest Artists have earned 123 Tony Award nominations and 33 wins across design categories.
The program will begin in the Fall of 2027, running over the course of an academic year through Spring 2028, with regular mentor meetings, cohort sessions, and workshops scheduled throughout.
Applications are open July 1, 2026-March 31, 2027. The application includes a few short written responses, a brief introduction video, and 2-3 samples of artwork. Students will be asked to provide the contact information for one reference. For more information on the application, visit https://springboardtodesign.com/
