College and Career
In addition to our world-class visual arts programs, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild also provides opportunities for all enrolled students to develop soft skills, meet with college representatives, visit college campuses, and participate in workshops focused on topics ranging from financial aid, goal-setting, college and career readiness, alternative career pathways, and more!
MCGI
11th- and 12th-grade students from select schools in our Pittsburgh region are invited to submit a portfolio (four pieces of artwork) to our annual, juried arts exhibition to compete for nearly $300,000 in scholarships, cash prizes, and workshop opportunities.
9th- and 10th-grade students may compete for most cash prize and workshop opportunities if a teacher submits one piece of artwork on their behalf.
Scholarship Night
Every January, we invite families to attend MCG Scholarship Night, an evening focused on raising awareness of affordable college and career pathways. We host representatives from colleges that provide exclusive scholarships for MCG students, career training programs available at no cost, partnering arts organizations that provide full arts scholarships for MCG students to take part in their programs, and a FAFSA workshop to assist families in completing this important application that may provide them with free money for college.
National Portfolio Review Day
Want to work on developing your portfolio in preparation for the MCG Invitational or for any other purpose? Make sure you sign up for our “Portfolio Development” class each fall. Each November, we bring students to Baltimore, Maryland for National Portfolio Review Day at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Early College Program
Qualifying students can enroll in early college classes, led by Westminster College faculty, while in high school and conducted at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. If you’re in 11th- or 12th-grade and have attended Pittsburgh Public Schools since the beginning of 9th grade, you may be qualified to use Pittsburgh Promise funding to cover the cost of the course and earn four college credits. For all other students, contact us about funding opportunities, as we have a small scholarship fund available to make this opportunity available at no cost.
Courses offered are specifically chosen because the credits earned will transfer to most colleges and universities. If you decide to attend Westminster College, the value of the course(s) (usually around $420) will be reimbursed into your student account upon full-time enrollment.
Summer Work Program
Each summer, MCG partners with Partner4Work’s Learn and Earn program to employ part-time a small group of current and/or former students, ages 14 to 21, to assist MCG staff in delivering our mission of educating and inspiring youth through the arts.
If you’d like to express interest in any of the above programs or have questions, please contact Claira Heitzenrater at cheitzenrater@manchesterbidwell.org