Youth Insights

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.

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There are four Youth Insights programs. Which is right for you?

A semester-long program that gives teens the opportunity to work collaboratively with contemporary artists.

Youth Insights (YI) Artists is a free after-school program for New York City high school students in ninth through twelfth grade. Each semester, YI brings teens together with contemporary artists and museum staff, providing opportunities to collaborate, discuss art critically, think creatively, and create art inspired by this exchange. Students will learn various artmaking techniques and engage in discussions on contemporary issues that resonate with their experiences while building meaningful friendships. They will also form relationships with artists and educators, culminating in creating an original work of art for a final exhibition showcasing the skills and ideas they developed throughout the program.

Open to: New York City high school students, grades 9–12.

Check out past artist collaborators

A free summer program that offers teens the opportunity to explore arts careers and arts institutions throughout NYC.

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) completed will have priority.

Applications for Summer 2025 YI Arts Careers are open. Please apply below.

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A free summer program for high school students who are English Language Learners.

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.

Applications for Summer 2025 YI Introductions are open.

Application in English
Application in Mandarin
Application in Spanish
Application in Arabic
Application in French

Graduates of the YI Artists, Introductions, and Arts Careers program are eligible to intern as paid YI Leaders.

Youth Insights Leaders is a paid internship opportunity to gain experience working in a museum education department and to serve as an ambassador to your community. YI Leaders help organize public programs, work closely with Whitney artists, lead interactive tours, assist with Family and Community programs, and create special projects in response to the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions. Participants will also learn about museum education, join exchanges with teen programs across NYC, and participate in special projects throughout the Museum. Graduates of the YI Artists, Introductions, and Arts Careers program are eligible to apply.

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.