MOCAD invites teenagers aged 13-18 from Detroit and Southeast Michigan to participate in the 2023-24 Teen Council. This opportunity spans from October 2023 to June 2024, with weekly sessions. Applications are being accepted until September 24, 2023. Council members will receive a monthly stipend of $150. Eligible teenagers can submit their applications here.
Since its launch in 2013, MOCAD’s Teen Council has been a valuable after-school program. It aids 12 local teenagers in enhancing their resumes and building connections with creative professionals. Moreover, participants develop crucial life skills and cultivate an appreciation for contemporary art. The Council meetings encompass guided discussions, visits to local galleries and art institutions, studio tours, artist talks, and the coordination of youth arts workshops. These workshops cover diverse creative areas like package design, jewelry making, collage, and abstract painting. The pinnacle of the council’s activities is the Annual Teen Exhibition, which is curated and organized by the council members themselves. In 2023, this exhibition showcased the works of 43 teen artists and attracted 1,951 visitors to MOCAD.
Crystal Palmer, MOCAD’s Curator of Youth Programs, expressed her delight in observing the growth and accomplishments of Teen Council members. She emphasized that many participants engage for multiple years, forming a supportive peer network and deeply exploring their creative passions. Palmer underscored that fostering youth through support, mentorship, and leadership opportunities is pivotal for the cultural vitality of not just Detroit but all cities.
The program boasts a track record of enabling teens to achieve success both academically and professionally. Over the past three years, all Teen Council members graduated from high school, and 96 percent gained acceptance into their preferred universities.
Chase W., a 2022 high school graduate now studying at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, reflected on the profound impact of joining MOCAD Teen Council during his sophomore year. He highlighted how this experience connected him with fellow artists and peers throughout Detroit, significantly influencing his life’s trajectory.
Support for the 2023-24 Teen Council comes from Gucci Changemakers North America. Gucci Changemakers, dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the fashion industry and communities, proudly backs this initiative. Additionally, the Youth Leadership Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan offers further support, managed by the Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).
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