ArtLab for Teens, now in its second year, is an exciting program that brings together artists and local teenagers to explore and experiment with contemporary art. For five weeks each semester, a group of teenagers take over the museum's studio space – the ArtLab – using the museum's collection and exhibitions as the inspiration for the creation of their own art works. Some come to the class with little or no experience with making art, others are active in art classes and clubs in their high school.
But after spending five weeks together, working with the visiting artist to refine their ideas and improve their technique, students participate in a number of group critiques – lively discussions in which the artist's peers react to the level of originality, personal expression, and craftsmanship of a work of art.
The Hirshhorn has been fortunate to have an eclectic group of emerging artists who each brought aspects of their own practice to the workshops.
With a range of technological tools at their disposal, teenagers today are able to easily create their own art, produce their own films, and record their own music. Social networking websites offer these young artists an ideal platform through which to disseminate their work and build communities around their creative endeavors.
Lars Nittve, Director of Moderna Museet in Stockholm, writes about the importance of "zones of freedom" in society. "Places where you can… express yourself freely without fear of spilling and getting mucky, where there is loads of materials, loads of freedom and helpful adults."
As the program grows, the museum continues to seek ways to reach a broader audience, and encourage a creative engagement with contemporary art a culture beyond the walls of the museum and on-site studio space. In the fall of 2007, the Hirshhorn received a grant from the Meyer Foundation to research outreach opportunities in the city through connections with community organizations designed for teens. During the course of the study we had the privilege of meeting with and learning from many inspiring organizations and people, generating new and exciting ideas for the future of ArtLab for Teens.
