Fuego Youth Leadership Program

The Fuego Youth Leadership Program is an opportunity for high school students to deepen their technical understanding of the industrial arts and build leadership skills by supporting The Crucible’s Youth Summer Camps. Fuego Leaders progress from immersive creative classwork to the exploration of possible career opportunities in the arts.

2024 Fuego Youth Leadership Applications are now open.

Since 2010

70

More than 70 youth ages 15-18 have graduated

79%
79% have been students of color
80%
80% were low-income
85%
85% are now building careers in the trades or completing higher education
88%
88% completed the two-year program

Meet Our Fuego Youth Leaders

Each year, up to ten high school students, including returning participants, are selected for our Fuego Youth Leadership Program. During the four-week program, youth are paired with a faculty mentor who helps them develop technical and artistic skills while completing a project of their own.

Fuego Youth Leaders also support instructors during summer camps, performing demonstrations and assisting youth students during class time. Fuego Youth Leaders are encouraged to return for a second consecutive summer.

Commission Our Leaders For Your Next Project

Our Fuego Leaders design, create, and fabricate community and public art—from welded bike bridges to community chicken coops. We make sure Oakland is built by Oakland.

See Past Commissions

Request A Commission

We Count On You To Make Fuego Possible

Give Oakland A Generation of Creative Leaders

What They Have To Say

“The Crucible has broadened my horizons. There are so many different people and when you meet people your working with them or learning from them it’s a good way to get yourself out there and find new opportunities.”

– Rocky Boikanyo

“My art is a way of finding a happy place, but also to see the reality of the world and what people go through. I want my art to show things that words can’t explain.”

– Bri Medina

“The Crucible has impacted my life for the better, 100%. Art, especially industrial art,  has kept me grounded. I am so lucky to have grown up in this environment where I was nurtured creatively. Now I can give that back. It fills me with light, to be able to watch students grow and see them gain more confidence like I did.”

– Leslie Kwok

“Glass is a white, male-dominated art. I haven’t seen myself represented in Glass Flameworking very often, so just being here and being me is important.”

– C’Zarriah Davis-Smith

“Coming to The Crucible was the best decision I ever made. I don’t know who I’d be—or if I’d be here today—if I hadn’t. The jewelry studio became my safe space where I felt comfortable being myself without judgment or expectation.”

– Freddie Moussa

“During my time as a Fuego Youth Leader, I learned a lot about myself and my artistic abilities. In the future, I hope to come back to The Crucible as an instructor or volunteer so that I can continue my artistic practice and help inspire creativity in others.”

– Walter Yip

Questions? Contact Us

youth@thecrucible.org
(510) 444-0919 x127