KidsMatter Adds Arts And Innovation Course To SpringBoard Summer Series

NAPERVILLE, IL — The SpringBoard Summer Series at KidsMatter has been giving students hands-on experience in different career fields for four years now. This year, they're adding an Arts and Innovation field to give high school students even more careers to explore.

According to the KidsMatter website, the Arts and Innovation course "explores the intersection of arts, innovation, and AI — and how creativity drives the future."

The Arts and Innovation course joins the SpringBoard Series's other fields of study: Pharmacy Technician Prep., Physical and Life Sciences, Survey of Healthcare Careers and Trade and Construction.

During the grant-funded SpringBoard Series courses, students will attend classes and gain skills out in the field. Previous sessions have visited Fermilab, Endeavor Health, Morton Arboretum and Ironworkers Local 63.

“KidsMatter was designed to meet emerging challenges, and since our founding, we have always leaned into spaces of need to support youth and families,” KidsMatter CEO and Executive Director Nina Menis said in a statement.

Menis added, “In developing the SpringBoard Series, we’ve listened to student voices, community interest and data about high-growth career fields to create a program that helps prepare our youth for their futures.”

The deadline to apply for the series is April 12. Click the link to apply for the 2026 SpringBoard Series.