Teens:
Get Involved
Get involved with the Whitney’s Teen Programs! Youth Insights (YI) is an after-school and summer program that connects New York City high school students to art and artists. We also offer drop-in programs and events throughout the year. Find out more below.
Artists
Youth Insights Artists semester long programs bring teens together with contemporary artists, providing opportunities to work collaboratively, discuss art critically, and think creatively. YI Artists make art inspired by this exchange.
Open to: New York City high school students, grades 9–12.
Applications for Fall 2023 will open in June 2023.
YI Leaders in exhibition no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria. November 2022. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Leaders
Graduates of the YI Artists, Introductions, and Arts Careers program are eligible to participate in YI Leaders, a yearlong, paid after-school internship. Leaders organize public programs and events for other New York City teens, learn to develop and lead interactive tours of the Whitney’s exhibitions, assist educators in our Family and Community programs, and write for the Whitney’s teen blog.
Applicants should be prepared to work 3–10 hours per week.
Open to: New York City high school students, grades 11–12 who have completed at least one semester of YI Artists or YI Arts Careers.
Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will open in June 2023.
Speak Up, Speak Out! A Whitney Teen Summit, February 2018. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Introductions
Youth Insights Introductions is a free summer program for high school students who are English Language Learners. The program welcomes teens to the Whitney to explore, discover, and discuss American art, and to create original works of art and writing. Free MetroCards and all supplies provided.
Open to: New York City high school students entering grades 10–12 who self-identify as English Language Learners.
The application deadline for Summer 2023 is Friday, May 5 at 11:59 pm.
Arts Careers
YI Arts Careers is a free summer program that offers teens the opportunity to explore arts careers and arts institutions throughout New York City. Teens meet with Whitney Museum staff, arts professionals, and other teens. Free MetroCards and all supplies provided.
Open to: New York City high school students, entering grades 10–12. Students who have had some involvement with the Whitney's teen programs (Example: Youth Insights or Open Studio for Teens) will have priority.
The application deadline for Summer 2023 is Friday, May 5 at 11:59 pm.
YI Arts Careers participants work on a project, July 2017. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Drop-In Programs
Throughout the year, the Museum provides opportunities for New York City high school students to participate in free drop-in programs, where they have the chance to meet and learn from contemporary artists and other teens.
Biennial Teen Night, March 2017. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Open Studio for Teens
When the Museum is open, teens are invited to a free drop-in art making program on Friday afternoons. Teens can bring their works-in-progress or create something entirely new. Each week we provide a prompt for reflection and art-making inspired by current exhibitions. On occasion, we offer special art workshops led by guest artists. All supplies are provided and no previous art experience is required—everyone is welcome!
Open Studio for Teens: Laura Owens, January 2018. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Teen Events
Teens in our yearlong Leaders program collaborate with exhibiting artists to plan and host events for their peers.
Summer Delirium: Teen Night, July 2017. Photograph by Filip Wolak