Bay Area
Arts and Humanities Opportunities for High School Students in the Bay Area
8 programs for students interested in arts and humanities across San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the East Bay. 7 are not listed as paused or waitlisted; application availability varies. 2 list a minimum age under 16, excluding paused and waitlisted programs.
- Opportunities
- 8
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 7
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 2
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 1
- others run longer or do not say
- Oakland Public Library Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Program
Competition · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Varies
- Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory Boards
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)
Club or organization · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 8 to 12
- When to apply
- Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth Volunteers
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 19
- When to apply
- Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- San Jose Public Library Teens Reach
Club or organization · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPaused
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Not posted
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Public Library Oakland Youth Poet Laureate ProgramCompetition · Library | Oakland, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Varies |
| Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory BoardsVolunteering · Library | Oakland, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Year-round |
| Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)Club or organization · Library | Palo Alto, CA | Grades 8 to 12 | Not posted | Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth VolunteersVolunteering · Library | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | Not posted | School year |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 16 to 18 | 10 hours per week, late October through early May | Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 19 | 16-20 hours per week, June 15 to August 2 | Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| San Jose Public Library Teens ReachClub or organization · Library | San Jose, CA | Ages 13 to 18 | Regular attendance at meetings and support of library activities | Year-round |
| Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Mountain View, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | Not posted | Not posted |
Email me this list
A link to this list, so you have the age rules and application windows when they open.
Browse other opportunities
Browse all opportunities and locations
By intended major
In the Bay Area
- Pre-Med (18)
- Nursing and Health (18)
- Pre-Vet and Animal Science (12)
- Biology and Environmental Science (24)
- Engineering and Computer Science (7)
- Law and Government (3)
- Education (27)
- Psychology and Social Work (6)
- Hospital (18)
- Zoo and Aquarium (11)
- Museum (10)
- Library (9)
- Animal Shelter (5)
- Parks and Environment (5)
- Community Service (3)
Frequently asked questions
How old does my teen need to be?
Each organization sets its own rule. The table shows the minimum age or grade each one posts, and says so when nothing is posted.
What does a teen volunteer actually do?
It varies by program. Each program page describes the work as the organization does, along with the hours it asks for.
Sources and method
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Arts and Humanities Opportunities for High School Students in the Bay Area”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/bay-area/arts-and-humanities.
When quoting a figure, include its data year and population, and retain its source link. Reuse terms.
