Youth Programs

Youth Programs at The Whitney Museum of American Art provide an alternative learning space for young people willing to take risks, experiment and challenge one another while exploring contemporary art. This unique environment serves as a meeting point for teens from diverse backgrounds who share a committed interest in the arts. As teens engage with artists, museum staff, and visitors, they assume an active role in defining the art world.

Youth Insights Program

Youth Insights is a paid, semester-long after school opportunity for New York City teens that explores the museum in the context of contemporary art and culture. Students are invited to apply for fall or spring programs.

YI is organized around three main components:

• Artist in Residence

• The Artists Museum

YI participants meet with museum staff dedicated to serving the artist community, exploring various departments and investigating the inner workings of the Whitney and the role of museums in contemporary society.

• Contemporary Community

Participants create and organize opportunities to expand the Museum’s community. Engaging in discussion and hands-on activities with New York City community groups, YI members share their expanding understanding of contemporary art and culture.

YI FALL & SPRING

• Fall: September through December
• Spring: February through June
• Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-7; One Saturday trip each month
  

Youth Insights Fall: Navigating Neighborhoods

• During the fall semester, YI participants explore the Artists in Residence, The Artists Museum and the Contemporary Community through the lens of the social and political the environment of New York City.

Youth Insights Spring: Approaching American Art

• During the spring semester, YI participants explore the Artists in Residence, The Artists Museum and the Contemporary Community while exploring America, in the context of contemporary Art.

YI SUMMER INTENSIVE

• Summer Intensive: July—August
• Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 2-5 pm
  

Summer Intensive: Expanding Spaces

• Individuals who have completed the fall or spring semesters of YI have the opportunity to stay involved by participating in this Summer Intensive program. Breaking down the walls of the Museum, participants explore art’s relationship to New York City.

APPLYING TO YOUTH INSIGHTS

• Youth Insights is open to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students living in New York City
• To download an application click HERE

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Community Advisory Board

Graduates of Youth Insights are eligible for this paid after school leadership program.

• Wednesdays 4-6; Occasional Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
  

• Developing and maintaining the The Whit, the Youth Insights blog
• Conceptualizing initiatives the teen website
  
• Researching opportunities for becoming involved in the larger New York City community.
• Organizing programs, and engaging in a dialogue with their peers.
• Working extensively, often in a leadership role, with Youth Insights and with the Youth Insights Artist in Residence.
  

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Drop-In Programs

Teens organize open events and projects for NYC teens.

• For updated information on cultural events for youth, happening in at the Whitney and all over NYC, check out The Whit to find our Calendar of Events.

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Internships

Graduates of Youth Insights are eligible to apply for one of our three paid internships. These will take place during fall and spring semesters.

Education Internship

• Interns will pair up with a member of our Education staff, providing administrative support while learning how the Whitney Museum designs Education programming.

• Interns will work with a museum department that best matches their skills, exploring the inner-workings of the institution. Possible departments include Curatorial, Education, Registrar, Publications, and Administration.

Service Internship

• Interns will work in the Recreation Department of the Regent Family Residence, facilitating after-school art-making activities for children living in temporary housing.
  

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Community Programs

Opening the Studio

Community Programming at the Whitney Museum strives to cultivate a strong community within the Museum’s diverse constituency of artists, visitors and program participants. At the same time, the museum works with community partners to develop programs that share museum resources with the diverse New York City public.

We currently partner with the Regent Family Residence, a transitional housing facility for New York City families, in an art-making and art-looking after school program. Members of Youth Insights work with a wide range of community groups that include peer groups, artists, children from the aforementioned shelter, and individuals living in nursing homes.

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Youth Insights is made possible by grants from Bank of America, David Yurman, The Altman Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, and Time Warner Inc.