The oklahoma contemporary arts center will relaunch its teen arts council to address the critical need for arts education for school-aged youth and the emotional and social effects of the covid-19…

The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center will relaunch its Teen Arts Council program to address critical needs in arts education and the social-emotional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth. Funded by a $108,420 project grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the National Leadership Grants program, the Teen Arts Council empowers teens to create and plan arts programs for their peers. It will use strategies such as diversity, supportive staff, authentic work experiences, sustained engagement, and interactions with artists to develop teens personally and culturally while increasing arts participation and well-being. Additionally, the Center will host 50 free school group visits during the grant period to provide an introductory knowledge of contemporary art practices through student-centered tours and gallery activities that strengthen skills like creativity, logic, and problem-solving.

The oklahoma contemporary arts center will relaunch its teen arts council to address the critical need for arts education for school-aged youth and the emotional and social effects of the covid-19 pandemic on children and teens. The teen arts council empowers and engages young adults to create and plan programs 'by teens for teens.' IT will use peer diversity, supportive staff members, authentic work, sustained engagement, and interactions with artists to increase personal development, artistic and cultural literacy, arts and community participation, and emotional wellbeing. The museum also will host 50 free school group visits during the project period. All participants will gain an introductory knowledge of contemporary art and art practices. Tours will be student-centered and use visual thinking strategies and gallery activities to strengthen creativity, evidence-based logic, and problem-solving skills.