Craft Lake City is thrilled to announce that its Youth Entrepreneur Program Powered By VentureLab is now open to the public for the first time. This free, four-week after-school program is designed for young artisans ages 12-18 and will take place at the Salt Lake City Public Library, in partnership with VentureLab, the Utah Afterschool Network, the Urban Food Connection of Utah and the Downtown Alliance
Established in 2022, the program nurtures creativity and develops entrepreneurial skills through crafting sessions, business workshops, a Mock Market experience and the opportunity to showcase at Kid Row during the 17th Annual Craft Lake City DIY Festival Presented By Harmons. Participants will build an entrepreneurial mindset and develop their businesses while exploring creativity. There are two opportunities to participate, Spring in April and Summer in June.
Applications for the Spring Cohort are open now through March 17, and applications for the Summer Cohort are open through May 6.
“Seeing our Youth Entrepreneur Program expand to the public is a dream come true thanks to our partnership with VentureLab and the Utah Afterschool Network. Over the past three years, I’ve watched these young creators grow into confident entrepreneurs, and now, more aspiring artisans will have the opportunity to learn, create and thrive,” said Lydia Miller, Craft Lake City’s Youth Entrepreneur Program Coordinator. “We are especially excited to partner with VentureLab for the first year to empower youth with the skills and confidence to turn their creativity into opportunity.”
Thanks to VentureLab’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, students will gain valuable lessons in business and entrepreneurship. The program also continues Craft Lake City’s partnership with the Utah Afterschool Network, which supports after-school initiatives statewide.
Craft Lake City is thrilled to partner with VentureLab for the first year to elevate the program, including high quality entrepreneurial resources and curriculum. VentureLab is a nonprofit organization that fosters entrepreneurial thinking in youth, to deliver engaging lessons in creativity, business, and the entrepreneurial mindset. Additionally, the program continues Craft Lake City’s collaboration with the Utah Afterschool Network, which provides support to after-school initiatives statewide.
“VentureLab is proud to partner with Craft Lake City to offer this transformative program,” said Lindly Fernandez, Program Coordinator with VentureLab. “Our mission is to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit in youth, and this collaboration allows us to provide students with the tools and mindset they need to build successful businesses and become confident innovators.”
Thanks to our partnership with the Urban Food Connection of Utah, Downtown Alliance, participants will also have the unique opportunity to showcase their creations at a Mock Market on June 14th and July 12th at the Salt Lake City Downtown Farmers Market before exhibiting at Kid Row at the 17th Annual Craft Lake City DIY Festival Presented By Harmons.
About VentureLab:
VentureLab envisions a world where every child, regardless of gender, race, or economic status, is empowered to fully participate in creating the future through entrepreneurial and STEM education. In its mission to create the next generation of diverse innovators and changemakers by making entrepreneurial education accessible to all youth, VentureLab has reached over 747,000 students, educators, and caregivers in 155+ countries and all 50 United States. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, support for VentureLab helps provide scholarships to students, schools, and organizations who want entrepreneurship and innovation education. It will provide training and coaching for teachers, business models/budgeting tools, and mentoring and materials for students without access.
About Utah Afterschool Network:
Utah Afterschool Network is a statewide agency that ensures Utah’s children have access to high-quality afterschool programs that keep them engaged, learning, and safe. UAN assists after school teams in building quality programs by mentoring program staff, facilitating professional learning opportunities, and collaboratively creating a model of best practices for programs statewide. UAN also supports national and statewide advocacy initiatives that promote after school programs.
About Craft Lake City:
Founded in 2009 by Angela H. Brown, Executive Editor of SLUG (Salt Lake UnderGround) Magazine, Craft Lake City® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the mission to educate, promote and inspire local artisans while elevating the creative culture of the Utah arts community through science, technology and art. Craft Lake City strives to further define the term “Craft,” by modernizing the definition for handmade creativity.
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Craft Lake City’s year-round programming is supported in part by the residents of Salt Lake County through the Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) Program, Utah Division of Arts & Museums the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the Salt Lake Arts Council, the Sorenson Legacy Foundation and SLUG Magazine.