Design Apprenticeship Program

Outreach Program

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Overview

A team of DAP participants discuss their project in a Museum classroom.

Photo by Museum staff

The Design Apprenticeship Program (DAP) was created in 2000 by the National Building Museum in order to build on the work of CityVision and Investigating Where We Live. DAP offers previous outreach program participants or students with a demonstrated interest in art or design the opportunity to get hands-on advanced experience. In this short-term program, middle and high school students design and construct full scale projects that they control from concept to completion.

Program Goals

DAP participants will:

Develop advanced design and technical skills
Build essential personal and social skills by working as productive team members within defined time and project limitations.
Learn from professionals who work with the built environment, including architects, designers, contractors, technicians, and visual artists.

How does the program work?

The Design Apprenticeship Program takes place on Saturdays during the fall and spring of the academic year. Up to 25 students participate in each DAP, attending the program’s six design-intensive sessions.

In a series of short projects, students are given a design challenge— for example, to create a light fixture or a piece of street furniture—within a set of design criteria. Next, by collaborating with architects, contractors, electricians, interior designers, visual artists, and university architecture students, teams develop and construct their designs. Participants learn to work with different materials and are introduced to the design basics of a particular object. At the end of the program, their work is exhibited in the Museum and, where possible, other venues.

DAP will begin a new program structure, DAP I & DAP II. DAP I will take place in the fall. Students will be required to complete DAP I (only once) in order to participate in the Spring DAP II program. Each fall the Museum will offer career and college based workshops for participants who have completed DAP I and are awaiting the DAP II program. This is a part of the Museum’s effort to effectively teach design and technical skills and to develop challenging projects for our students who continue to advance their design skills.

How can I get involved?

Students between ages 12 and 18 are invited to apply for the Design Apprencticeship Program. Enrollment is limited to 30 students who have demonstrated interest or experience in architecture, design, and planning. The fall DAP I program is for new participants. The spring DAP II program is for returning participants only.

Online registration for the spring DAP II 2010 program will begin Monday, February 8, 2010. Click here to apply. For more information, please call 202.272.2448 or e-mail dap@nbm.org. Enrollment for DAP II is limited to students who have previously participated in a DAP session.

Volunteer

If you are a design professional or student in the fields of architecture, urban planning, or education and would be interested in helping inner-city youth learn about design and the built environment, please click here to learn more about volunteering at the Museum. Volunteers for teen programs must be 18 years of age or older.

Intern

Students or recent graduates who are interested in a greater commitment to DAP are invited to apply for an intern position in the outreach department. Interns act as volunteer instructors and assist with the administration of the program. Click here to learn more about internships at the Museum.

Contact

Furniture was constructed during extra work sessions.

Photo by Museum staff

For more information, please contact the Outreach Programs Coordinator at 202.272.2448 ext. 3301 or email DAP@nbm.org.

Sample Projects

DAP 1 participants worked together as a team to build a trash and recycling receptacle that continues to be used in the Museum’s Great Hall today.

DAP 13 participants designed and constructed emergency relief shelters for natural disasters around the world, including tsunamis, earthquakes, drought and hurricanes. View portfolio.

DAP 14 participants designed and built “green” donation boxes for the Museum using sustainable design principles. A number of donation boxes were selected by Museum staff to be used in the Museum’s Great Hall for ongoing use during special events. The theme was inspired by the Museum's exhibition The Green House.

DAP 16 participants designed and built "green" modern furniture for the Dinner Program for Homeless Women. The theme was inspired by the Museum's exhibition Marcel Breuer: Design and Architecture.