Revitalizing Teen Programs at the Walters Art Museum
Session Description:
In 2023, The Walters Art Museum relaunched their Teen Programs after a pause and reorganization caused by COVID-19. This session will discuss the successes and challenges of three new programs and what we have learned by integrating teen perspectives into the programming of the museum, including:
★ Teen Lab, weekly art-making activities reflective of the museum’s collection
★ Through Our Eyes, a 10-week photography program and group exhibition co-led by a prominent photographer/teaching artist;
★ Teen Advisory Council, a 5-week internship towards the development of a teen-led museum event.
From planning and facilitation to program reflection and evaluation this session will highlight our process working alongside teens to create new and exciting youth centered offerings. We will also discuss best practices for co-creating with teens, fostering youth leadership, and developing collaborations with teaching artists and community organizations. Come learn more about opportunities to share with the young people in your community as well as opportunities for organizational collaboration and teaching artist opportunities!
Presenter: Safiyah Cheatam
Safiyah Cheatam is an educator, arts administrator, and artist-curator based in Baltimore, MD. For over a decade, she has enriched Baltimore with community engagement and arts education, currently serving as the Assistant Manager of Teen Programs at the Walters Art Museum. She has previously held positions and supported/led programming at Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Wide Angle Youth Media. Safiyah co-leads the bi-annual artist fellowship Islam & Print where she is a curator, project manager, and mentor. She has been featured in The Washington Post, NBC News, BmoreArt, and has exhibited artworks nationally. Safiyah received a Masters of Fine Arts from UMBC and has served on the Board of Awesome Foundation, Baltimore for five years.
Date, Time, and Location
Tuesday, June 17th
Breakout Session 2: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Room: CPA 105 ACE