YI Leaders: First Day
Sep 16, 2013

High fives by two Y I Leaders

New Youth Insights Leaders Shane and Luis in the Whitney Sculpture Court, September 2013. Photograph by Correna Cohen

High fives by two Y I Leaders

On Monday, September 16, the newest group of Youth Insights Leaders met at the Whitney Studio for the first time. The group of thirteen high school students began the session with snacks and then headed out into the Sculpture Court for some introductory activities.

After the warm up, Leaders headed to the Hopper Drawing exhibition to explore and discuss the works on view. Some Leaders had seen the exhibition during the YI Summer Intensive, and they introduced it to the Leaders who were there for the first time. At Soir Bleu (1914), they split into two groups to brainstorm and perform short skits that explored the characters in the painting. The gallery session ended at Nighthawks (1942), and a chance for Leaders to begin talking about artwork at the Whitney—something that will be an important skill as they plan and lead tours of the exhibitions for other teen groups.

  • E T finger touch for body to body activity

    YI Coordinator Hannie and Leader Shirley lead the group for a “Body to Body” activity, September 2013. Photograph by Correna Cohen

  • two leaders playing a game outside

    Leaders Alesanicole and Saul get into the game, September 2013. Photograph by Correna Cohen

  • playing the characters of the painting in the gallery

    Alesanicole and Anna take on the roles of the characters in Edward Hopper’s Soir Bleu (1914), September 2013. Photograph by Correna Cohen

  • filling out forms

    Leaders fill out forms and sign up for interviewing and volunteer shifts, September 2013. Photograph by Correna Cohen

  • planning a skit in the gallery

    Leaders plan their skit, September 2013. Photograph by Correna Cohen

Finally, the group gathered in the Studio to discuss some logistics and expectations for the rest of the year. In an exciting new addition to the program, Leaders will be working regularly with the Whitney’s Family Programs team to help out with weekend programs for young visitors. In addition, teens signed up for shifts interviewing the Whitney’s next group of YI Artists and Writers—YI Fall 2013 begins the first week of October!

By Correna Cohen, Youth Programs Fellow