Sandbox

Making space
for new voices

Looking at our industry, we recognized a lack of opportunity for young talent of diverse backgrounds.

What
we do

Our external mentorship program focuses on giving students from underrepresented communities more exposure to creative professions through mentorship and hands-on experience.

Class field trip with Hamilton High to the Academy Museum and LACMA, 2022

Our
mission

Much like the safety and creative freedom that a sandbox provides, our mission is to mentor fearless creativity. Through mentorship and hands-on experience, we support young people while they explore their interests and build new skills. Our goal is to help them visualize a path for themselves in this industry.

Kevin G, class of ’23

Brizani L, class of ’23

Dylan S, class of ’23

“We teach as much as we learn from our mentees”
— Romy, senior copywriter

The
Breakdown

Lindsay C, class of ’24

Students on LACMA field trip, 2022

Sandbox is made up of two programs which serve young people at different stages of their creative exploration.

SANDBOX U

  • Ten week virtual, 1-1 sessions with a dedicated Hook mentor
  • Topics to cover are set by the mentor and the mentee, depending on mentee’s goals
  • Focused workshops on career guidance and industry tips
  • Establish personal connections with Hook mentors and other Sandbox U participants
  • Help applying to jobs, writing cover letters, or working on a portfolio piece

SANDBOX HIGH

  • A curriculum made with Hamilton High School's Creative Arts Academy
  • Career presentations led by Hook mentors
  • Support students in the development and delivery of a final graphic design project

Meet
your
mentors

Hook’s mentors work across all disciplines—design, animation, production, creative, and people ops. Each one has multiple years of experience and a passion for mentorship. Meet some of our past mentors below.

Nick
Cheri
Adrienne
Kendra
Joe
Phil
Mikell
Sophie
Maddy
Isabelle
Destiny
Paul
Evan
Ben
Griffin
Torey

Applying for
Sandbox U

Applications open in May of each year and are due in August. The program will start in September, after the start of an academic fall semester. During the application process, students will be asked questions about their goals and current experience to determine which mentor would be a good match. Only those with a strong interest in the industry and the time availability should apply.

Applications for the Fall 2024 cohort are now open. Visit our careers page to apply.

Demystifying the creative industry

Gisela C, Ryan C and Eduardo G, class of ’23 & ’24

FAQs

Is Sandbox High currently partnering with other High Schools?

At the moment, our only collaboration is with Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles. We might expand this in the future, so please check back for updates.

What type of equipment or software do I need to participate?

Access to a personal computer is needed to participate in our mentorship programs. For those interested in Design or Art Direction, access to Adobe Creative Cloud is highly recommended.

Can I join Sandbox U if I already graduated?

Yes! Sandbox U is aimed at anyone who is getting ready to launch their career in the creative industry – whether you are currently in an educational program, recently graduated, or pursuing a career change.

Upon completion, will I receive some kind of diploma or academic document?

If you were part of Sandbox High, you’ll receive a certificate to credit that you completed the program and final project. No diploma or academic credit is offered for Sandbox U.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Email us at sandbox@byhook.com

Sandbox

Related

Initiatives

Meet Sandbox, Our Creative Mentorship Program

Sandbox is an internal program to open the window to our industry for young people, and create more opportunities for them to make magic.

by Alexandra Blum, People Ops Manager

4 minute read

Initiatives

Mentoring Fearless Creativity

There’s a pressing need for more diverse voices in our industry, so we focused our external mentorship on creating more industry access. Through our partnership with a local LA High School we’re creating more opportunities for underrepresented youth to learn about our industry and gain hands-on experience.

by Romy Roloff, Senior Copywriter

2 minute read

Honors

Sandbox Named Best Mentorship Program

Sandbox, Hook’s mentorship program for students and entry-level creatives, won Best Mentorship Program at the 2024 WorkLife Awards.

by WorkLife

1 minute read