Park Voyagers
Teen Programs

Teen Programs

Teen Programs

Fall 2026

Upcoming Programs

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Teen Programs 

Teens are invited to drop in during Teen Open Studios during CPS non-attendance days or take a deeper dive into art-making practices by registering for Teen Studio Workshops on select Saturdays. These programs offer the chance to experiment and explore using a variety of media and techniques inspired by our latest exhibitions. 

Youth Involvement Opportunities – Open Early 2027

The Field Museum welcomes all teens and pre-teens in grades 6–12 to their youth programs. To increase access to these events and opportunities, they provide a number of resources to participants, including stipends, public transportation vouchers, and free museum admission. You can even earn volunteer hours, building your skills with leadership, public speaking, coding, and design. Be sure to check in with each program to see what’s provided.

Check back in early 2027 for next summer’s opportunities. 

 

 

Museum of Contemporary Art

Programs

Teen Creative Agency

The Teen Creative Agency (TCA) is the Museum of Contemporary Art’s cultural leadership program for teens age 15–19 years old. TCA members come together from all over the Chicago area to the museum once a week, from September through June.

At the MCA, teens not only view but also engage with contemporary art and artists. The MCA makes museum resources accessible to youth so that they may dream, plan, and create responses to the issues that are important to them.

When TCA members meet weekly, they create a space in the museum for teens’ ideas and perspectives to be seen and heard. They visit other cultural institutions, engaging with both peers and professionals in the field. Young people learn to recognize the value of others and the value they themselves bring to a community.

This growth in their agency and collaboration skills, as well as knowledge of public engagement and strengthening of the creative process, occurs under the guidance of the program’s Lead Artists: Olive Stefanski and Miguel Limon

To Learn More, Please Contact:

Ahmad Bracey, Manager of Learning: Schools and Youth Communities: abracey@mcachicago.org or call 312-397-4020

RISE Teen Program

Fall Program 2026

Griffin MSI | October 3, 2026 – January 19, 2027

RISE Fall is a 12-week program where teens explore college and career pathways, build teamwork skills, complete group projects, tackle LEGO® engineering challenges, and connect with STE(A)M professionals through moderated panel discussions, and more.

Registration is now closed. 

National Museum of Mexican Art

Yollocalli Arts Reach

yo∙llo∙call∙i   (yō-lō-KÄ-lee) :  from the Aztec language, Nahuatl :   yolotl (heart) + kalli (house)

Yollocalli Arts Reach is the award-winning youth initiative of the National Museum of Mexican Art, we offer FREE arts and culture programming to teens and young adults.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, we serve as an open community center with studio spaces, a computer lab, radio production studio, a large art library, and a creative, supportive staff who are always around to help, encourage, and inspire. We aim to strengthen the students’ creative and cultural capital by engaging them with their own cultural discourses through art making.

Every program and special event offered by Yollocalli is free of charge; This is only possible with help from you.

 
Shedd Aquarium

Teen Workshops

Connect with animals, your peers and Shedd staff during Teen Workshops. Learn about local and global conservation and explore careers at Shedd. Join us to discover new interests, engage in STEAM topics and investigate the aquatic world!

Teen Nature Days

Take action for animals and the environment by participating in Shedd’s Teen Nature Days! You’ll get to explore local beaches, waterways and forest preserves, while helping to restore and protect them. Join the Shedd and connect with nature, engage in conservation and meet new friends!

Volunteer hours are offered for participating in these programs.