Youth Insights Orientation: Spring 2014
Mar 18, 2014

children sitting in front of artwork crafting

Leaders direct a gallery activity for new YI participants during Spring Orientation, February 2014. Photograph by Hannie Chia

children sitting in front of artwork crafting

On February 7, YI Leaders hosted an orientation for incoming Writers and Artists! To welcome the new YI participants, food and art supplies were set up in the Whitney Studio, and participants were asked to make creative nametags. To break the ice, Leaders led interactive games for the Artists and Writers.

Leaders also led tours in the galleries, where participants were divided into three groups. Leaders gave each group a mini tour of one of three works in American Legends, by Jasper Johns, Edward Hopper, and Roy Lichtenstein. Back into the studio, all YI participants created a giant "human" timeline of the history of the Whitney--more difficult than it seems, because participants had to figure out the correct order without talking to each other! Orientation ended with a game of “Speed Meeting,” where Leaders got a chance to talk in small groups with new Artists and Writers about the YI experience, and to answer any questions that they had. 

  • crafting with other students

    Making nametags as orientation gets started, February 2014. Photograph by Thomas Murphy

  • improv games at the studio

    Playing getting-to-know you games in the Whitney Studio, February 2014. Photograph by Thomas Murphy

  • girl with camera talking to students

    Conversation in the Whitney Studio, February 2014. Photograph by Thomas Murphy

  • presenting an edward hopper painting

    What’s a Whitney orientation without Edward Hopper? YI in American Legends, February 2014. Photograph by Thomas Murphy

  • teens look at pop art

    Another tour group in American Legends, February 2014. Photograph by Thomas Murphy

  • teens standing with signs on their backs

    Participants try to arrange themselves into a human timeline of Whitney history—without talking! February 2014. Photograph by Thomas Murphy

  • students sitting on the ground

    The afternoon’s activities end with “speed meeting” between Leaders and new YI Artists and Writers, February 2014. Photograph by Thomas Murphy

It was nice to see everyone socializing as well as contributing their ideas during the tours and discussions of art in the galleries. I look forward to seeing YI Writers and Artists around the Whitney during Spring 2014!

By Jitan, Youth Insights Leader