National Scrollathon Internship & Fellowship Program

The National Scrollathon Internship and Fellowship Program is a multi-year, paid workforce development initiative embedded within United Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science in the South Bronx. Developed by artists Steven and William Ladd, the program operates as a fully integrated extension of the Scrollathon studio, providing students with sustained, hands-on engagement in a national, community-based art practice.

Through this model, students are trained in both creative production and professional development, gaining real-world experience within a working artist studio while contributing to one of the most ambitious collaborative art projects in the United States. Participants play an active role in the realization of the National Scrollathon, culminating in a landmark exhibition in Washington, D.C. in 2026 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Internship
The Internship introduces students to professional practices across art, administration, and collaborative production. Participants engage in a structured application and onboarding process, including written statements of interest, formal interviews, and workplace readiness training.

Interns develop a broad range of skills, including:

  • Art production and material-based practices

  • Digital tools (Microsoft Excel, Adobe Creative Suite, photography)

  • Time management and organizational systems

  • Communication and collaboration within a professional environment

In addition to studio work, interns may travel to support Scrollathon programs across the country, assisting with on-site workshops and engaging directly with participants. The program provides paid opportunities for students to build confidence, gain financial literacy, and develop transferable skills that support future academic and professional pathways.

National Scrollathon Internship Classes

Class of 2025/2026

Photo coming soon :)

Photo coming soon :)

Class of 2024/2025

Class of 2023/2024

Class of 2022/2023

Class of 2021/2022

Fellowship

The Fellowship serves as an advanced leadership track for returning interns, offering a bridge between high school and higher education. Fellows take on increased responsibility within the program, supporting daily studio operations and contributing to program coordination, mentorship, and communications.

Working closely with Steven and William Ladd, Fellows receive focused training in:

  • Program development and implementation

  • Marketing and communications strategy

  • Leadership and peer mentorship

  • Studio and project management

Fellows play a critical role in sustaining the embedded studio model, helping to guide newer participants while deepening their own professional and creative capacities. The Fellowship provides both financial support and practical experience, preparing students for continued education and long-term career pathways in the arts and beyond.

TEAM

Angela Veninga
Program Site Director

Angela Veninga is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, designer, and project manager with over two decades of experience in arts education and community-based practice. She spent more than ten years teaching in underserved communities in St. Louis, Missouri, and nearly a decade as a visual arts educator in the Bronx. She currently teaches at United Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science in the South Bronx.

For the City Point project in Downtown Brooklyn, Angela collaborated with artists Steven and William Ladd through their Scrollathon program to coordinate engagement across nearly twenty organizations—including Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Brooklyn Autism Center, and Brooklyn Community Services—working with over one thousand participants to create a 40-foot permanent public artwork.

She serves as Program Site Director for the National Scrollathon internship and fellowship embedded studio program, acting as the primary institutional liaison and supporting ongoing studio practice within the school community.

Crystal Contreras
Studio Program Associate

Crystal Contreras joined the Ladds in 2021 and serves as Studio Program Associate for the National Scrollathon internship and fellowship program. Based in the South Bronx, she supports the afterschool studio, working closely with students during weekly sessions and traveling as a chaperone for on-site Scrollathons. She currently works at United Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science.

A Bronx native, Crystal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Urban Studies and Education. She brings a strong commitment to youth engagement, along with her bilingual Spanish-English skills and deep connection to her Dominican heritage. Crystal is continuing her education and aspires to lead her own arts program in the future.