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ASM's Spring Preview Program Application is Now LIVE!

Spring Preview Programs Run From January 12 - February 5.

Open to Chicago teens ages 14-18 and in high school, earn a $200 stipend to learn new skills, make friends, and stay active. 

Spring Previews will take place at multiple locations, and in-person interviews will take place in early January – details below.

ASM’s Spring Application will launch in late January.

Spring Preview Programs at Gallery 37: 
  • Spring Preview: Musical Theatre Experience – Technical Theatre & Production @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Musical Theatre Experience – Stage Performing @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Glass Mosaics @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Musical Theatre Experience – Costume Design & Construction @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: ASM Dance Ensemble @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Mixed Martial Arts @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: DJ Fundamentals @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Advanced Video Production @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Sketch to Screen – Mini Design Lab @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Digital Photography @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview: Gallery 37 Leadership Council @ Gallery 37
  • Spring Preview@ Advanced Drawing & Painting Portfolio @ Gallery 37
In-Person Interviews at After School Matters @ Gallery 37

You must attend an interview to be considered.

📍66 E Randolph St. Chicago, IL

  • January 5 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Doors close at 1:45 p.m.
  • January 6 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    Doors close at 7:05 p.m.
  • January 7 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    Doors close at 7:05 p.m.

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

Open to Chicago teens ages 14-18 and in high school, earn money to learn new skills, make friends, and stay active.

Check out the hundreds of ASM programs across the city in Latin Dance, plumbing, sewing, community organizing, and so much more!

To ensure that we can maximize the number of teens we serve, teens can only participate in one program per session.

Spring Preview Programs at After School Matters at Orleans: 
  • Spring Preview: Advanced Culinary Arts @ Orleans
  • Spring Preview: Basketball & Sports Fundamentals @ Orleans
  • Spring Preview: ASM Vocal Ensemble @ Orleans 
  • Spring Preview: Creating with Scent – An Introduction to Perfumery @ Orleans
In-Person Interviews at After School Matters @ Orleans

You must attend an interview to be considered.

📍1065 N Orleans St. Chicago, IL

  • January 5 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Doors close at 1:45 p.m.
  • January 6 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    Doors close at 7:05 p.m.
  • January 7 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    Doors close at 7:05 p.m.

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

In-Person Interviews at ASM @ Orleans:
You must attend an interview to be considered.
  • January 5 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Doors close at 1:45 p.m.
  • January 6 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    Doors close at 7:05 p.m.

     

  • January 7 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
    Doors close at 7:05 p.m.

📍The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center | Thursday, September 11 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

3435 N.  Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641

📍Gallery 37 Center for the Arts | Friday, September 12 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

66 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601

You must attend an interview at the ASM building where the program runs!

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

Let's Get Started!

Apply to up to SIX programs and increase your chances of getting enrolled. New programs will continue to be added!

 ⚠️ You will complete the One Summer Chicago application and select “After School Matters” to “Complete your ASM application” – to choose the specific ASM programs you want to apply to.

👉 Are you 14-15 years old? Apply for Apprenticeship programs and earn a stipend for your participation. Teens must be 14 years old by September 1, 2025.

👉 Are you 16+ years old? Apply for Internship programs and gain entry-level professional experience while earning $16.60/hour. Teens must be 16 years old by June 23, 2025.

New this year! You can expedite your application process by logging into your One Summer Chicago (OSC) account from last year and then proceeding to the ASM application. Click here for our how-to article.

Fall Programs Interview Process

Interviews are required for ASM programs. Please check both your ASM Gmail AND your personal email, as ASM instructors may reach out to schedule an interview with you. We encourage you to email the instructor listed on your Teen Dashboard and inquire about your application directly. 

Interviews are important to:

  • Connect with the instructor

  • Share why you want to participate in the program

  • Discuss your other obligations during the session and how the instructor can best support you

  • Answer any questions you have

🌟For programs not hosted at an ASM building: Instructors will contact teens about an interview via email.

🌟In-person Interviews for programs that are hosted at ASM buildings:

  • Tuesday, September 2 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 4 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 6 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Doors close for entry at 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m.

 

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

ASM Building Locations: 

*You must interview at the ASM building where the program runs!

📍The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center | 3435 N.  Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641

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

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

🌟In-person Interview Reminders:

  • You must interview at the ASM building where the program runs!
  • Please come prepared for auditions or with art materials if the program requires it.
  • Teens will interview alone. There is limited space for parents to wait for teens in our buildings

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

These programs are supported by the City of Chicago and the Illinois State Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools, and other generous public and private donors.

Spring Preview Programs Application

Limited opportunities available.

Apply Now

Log into Your Teen Dashboard

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

Fall 2025 Teen Dashboard
Spring 2026 Teen Dashboard

Watch: How to Apply to Fall Programs

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!

Tips for Applying and Finding the Right Program for YOU:

  • Sort by content areas.
  • Search for programs by selecting “Programs near my home” – see where the program is located and make sure you will have safe transportation to and from the program.
  • Apply to 6 programs to increase your chances of getting selected. You can add and remove programs from your application by going to the Teen Dashboard and clicking “Edit an Existing Application”
  • Check your email regularly after applying. ASM instructors will reach out for interviews and for you to accept your offer to a program.

Need support? Check out the helpful Teen Application support articles and general FAQs below.

Teen Application Support Articles
Check Out FAQs

Have a question and need support?

Visit our Help Center for answers to questions regarding the teen application, teen pay, I‑9 Verification, and more. Your question may be easily answered here.
Help Center
Contact Us

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 program, you must:

  • Be a resident of Chicago and attend a Chicago High School.
  • Be 14 years old by September 22, 2025.

Instructors will communicate directly with you as they finalize their program rosters throughout the recruitment period.

The instructor will add you to their program roster and you will receive an offer via email. You must accept within 72 hours before the offer expires. You may also accept an offer by logging into your Teen Dashboard.

ALL teens who apply to a program can check the status of their application via their Teen Dashboard.

  • Application Submitted: You have successfully applied to this program. The instructor is still reviewing all applications and a placement decision has not been made yet.
  • Enrolled: You have accepted an offer to this program.
  • No Offer: This program is full and you did not receive an offer. If a spot opens (for example, a selected participant can no longer attend), you could still be considered for placement.

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.

Instructors will email your ASM Gmail account so make sure you are checking it regularly. If you need a password reset, please Contact Us and select Teen Technical Support.

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

When completing your application, have your CPS ID number ready (if applicable), the email address you check most often, 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 Contact Us for support. 

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.

Do not accept an offer unless you are sure you will attend.  

Once the offer is sent, you will have 72 hours to decide and accept the offer. Please reach out to the instructor or Program staff if you have questions or would like more information about the program.

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.

Follow these steps:

  1. Use your Application ID to log into your Teen Dashboard under “Edit an Existing Application.”
  2. Got to the Application Status page
  3. Click the purple “Remove” button next to the program you wish to remove from your application.

Note: You can remove a program from your application as long as you were not made an offer to the program. Once you remove a program from your application, you will not be able to re-add it.

 

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.

After School Matters will issue you an Gmail account 1- 2 business days after you accept an offer to an ASM program for the first time. Returning ASM teens should already have an account. 

Instructors will email your ASM Gmail account, so make sure you are checking it regularly.

If you need a password reset, please Contact Us and select Teen Technical Support.

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!