1871 and After School Matters announced today they will partner for the first time this summer to provide Chicago teens with an internship program to experience technology and digital entrepreneurship. After School Matters has a long-standing tradition of partnering with organizations like 1871, that are able to expose teens to marketable job skills and future careers.

1871 will select four interns to take part in the six-week program beginning July 1, 2014. The program will allow the interns to work directly with members of 1871’s executive team and with some of Chicago’s growing companies, business experts and community leaders. As active members of the 1871 team, interns will work on a variety of tasks ranging from event planning to community outreach. The teens will also be responsible for a regular blog post that will be featured on the 1871 website. In the posts the teens will be able to share their first-hand experience of working at 1871 and in the multifaceted world of digital entrepreneurship.

In addition to the internship program, 1871 has also begun showcasing artwork by After School Matters teens. The works of art will be a mix of canvases, skateboards, and mixed – media pieces, similar to those regularly on display at the After School Matters Retail Store. The art is on display in 1871’s Auditorium and will be available for purchase starting June 1, 2014. Images of the art are available on the 1871 website: http://www.1871.com/after-school-matters-art-on-display-at-1871/