Springboard to Design Announces The Springboard to Design Fellowship Program

	Designed for high school students and emerging designers ages 18-25, the program connects each fellow with a professional designer in their chosen discipline. Photo: Rebecca J.Michelson

Springboard to Design (SB2D), presented by Design Action and led by Tony Award-winning designers Clint Ramos and David Zinn, has 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, the company says. Fully virtual, the program allows participants to connect with mentors and peers from around the world.

SB2D pulls Fellowship mentors from its 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 two to three samples of artwork. Students will be asked to provide the contact information for one reference. For more information on the application, visit SpringboardtoDesign.com.

"The Fellowship Program advances SB2D's mission to expand access and opportunity for high school students and emerging designers through meaningful mentorship," says Ramos. "Each year, we hear from students around the world who are searching for access to this kind of creative guidance and artistic community, and we're excited to provide education, mentorship, and hands-on exposure to the collaborative artistry at the heart of theatre design."

"We're proud to continue nurturing curiosity and helping young artists discover their creative voice through the Fellowship Program," adds Zinn. "Time and again, applicants reach out about how difficult it can be to find guidance and a community of peers who share their passion for theatre design, and this program helps create those opportunities and connections on a global scale."

SB2D recently announced the students selected for its summer program 2026 cohort after attracting more than 4,500 applications from 70 countries and territories -- reflecting the rapidly growing global interest in theatre design education. The 2026 program will take place July 19-25, at The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab housed in The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (NYC).

Through hands-on workshops, seminars, and access to Broadway and off- Broadway productions, students in the summer program will explore set, costume, lighting, projection, sound, and make-up design under the mentorship of award-winning theatre professionals. The summer program includes free tuition, housing, and supplies. For several participants, the program represents their first opportunity to study theatre design in a professional environment, particularly for students from communities with limited arts education resources.

With a fundraising goal of $50,000, Springboard to Design invites supporters to contribute to this vital initiative. Donations can be made online at givebutter.com/Cs4A3U or by mailing a check to Producer Hub, 315 West 39th Street, Suite 103, New York, NY 10018. Please specify "Design Action: SB2D" in the memo line.

Fellowship details:

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free -- Students will need access to the Internet, a computer, microphone, and camera to participate in virtual sessions with their mentors and cohort. Students will not be expected to pay for any software or materials beyond basic school supplies throughout the program.

Eligibility: SB2D Fellowship Program was created as an opportunity for underrepresented high school students and emerging designers ages 18-25.

Eligible international students and emerging designers are welcome to apply.

Application opens: July 1, 2026

Application deadline: March 31, 2027

The application includes:

*A few short written responses
*A brief introduction video
*Two to three samples of artwork
*One reference with contact information
*A nonrefundable $25 application fee "If, for any reason, the fee is a barrier for submission, please contact SB2D to request a voucher. If you are able to pay the fee, we encourage you to do so, as all application fees directly support the program and help keep SB2D programs free for students."