If you are a teen looking to work in a museum or participate in a program at a museum, then this is the page for you. (If you work with teens or have a teen, then you can help steer them to a program or job opportunity that might interest them.) Teen Programming can be found at Adler Planetarium, Art Institute of Chicago, and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Paid Teen Internships can be found at Adler Planetarium, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Teen Free Admission
The Museum is always free for Chicago teens 17 and under! As of 7/30 the museum is open with new hours and safety procedures. You’ll need to get your free ticket in advance, so check the website for updates, tickets, and the most current information about what’s happening.
Teen Audio Guide
Experience the museum through sounds and stories produced by Chicago teens. Expand your perspective on the Grand Staircase. Meditate to an original soundscape in the Ando Gallery. Connect with contemporary art through spoken word by some of Chicago’s best young poets. Immerse yourself in the ideas, interpretations, and creativity of Chicago youth.
The Teen Audio Guide is available for free on the Art Institute of Chicago Official Mobile app and streaming on the website.
National Museum of Mexican Art
Yollocalli Arts Reach is the teen and youth program of the National Museum of Mexican Art. Free art and digital media programs are offered yearly for students ages 13-24. Yollocalli Art Studios are located in both Little Village and Pilsen.
Teen Employment Opportunities
Adler Planetarium
Adler Youth Leadership Council (YLC)
The YLC is an advocacy and leadership development opportunity for young people with an interest in centering the contributions of teens within the museum community. This year’s council will continue to develop and oversee the newly created youth-led project, “BLACK HOLE: Teen Voices at the Adler”. Created by teens for teens, “BLACK HOLE: Teen Voices at the Adler” is a Teen centered event that combines creative expression, critical thinking, and radical imagination to examine topics that are most relevant to teens, and our society at large.
While the YLC is not a hands-on STEAM program, as a council member you’ll have access to STEAM professionals and resources that align with your interest in space science. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn what it’s like to work behind the scenes of a (virtual) science museum. Membership on the YLC is a serious commitment of time, energy, and contribution of ideas that runs through the duration of the school year. Applications open on August 17, 2020.
You should apply to Adler’s YLC if:
- You’re 14-18 years old.
- Available to attend the mandatory online Program Orientation on October 13th, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
- You want to build a fun and exciting community with Teens for Teens.
- You have a strong interest in organizing, and want to boost your leadership and advocacy skills.
- You’re available to serve one full YLC term. *October 24th, 2020 – June 19th, 2021
- You’re available to attend required weekly online meetings. *Saturdays 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- You want to work in partnership with Adler staff to ensure that Teens are meaningfully represented and valued in museum spaces in partnership.
- Participants will receive a $600 stipend for participating.
Youth Organization for Lights Out (Y.O.L.O.)
“The nights are getting brighter, and earth is paying the cost” But just how dark is the night sky? Y.O.L.O. is where hands-on STEAM learning and environmental justice collide to answer this question. As a member of Y.O.L.O. you will learn about light pollution and its impact on human health, natural environments, and your communities through science and advocacy. By researching the night sky from Chicago’s Black and Brown neighborhoods, and National Park sites, Y.O.L.O members create opportunities to educate and raise awareness about the need for municipal change. Y.O.L.O. membership is a serious commitment of time, energy, and contribution of ideas that runs through the duration of the school year. Applications open on August 17, 2020.
You should apply to Y.O.L.O. if:
- You’re 14-18 years old.
- Available to attend the mandatory online Program Orientation on October 13th, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
- You have a strong interest in organizing, and want to boost your leadership and public speaking skills.
- You’re available to serve one full Y.O.L.O. term. October 27th, 2020, – June 17th, 2021
- You’re available to attend required weekly online meetings*.
*Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm - You want to build a fun and exciting community with Teens for Teens.
- You‘re curious about or interested in environmental and space science.
- You have an interest in organizing and leadership development.
- You want to learn more about environmental justice and advocacy.
- Participants will receive a $600 stipend for participating.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Teen Council (winter/spring)
Teen Council interns design programs and resources that make the Art Institute a more welcoming, accessible, and relevant space for teens. Previous Teen Council projects include teen art exhibitions, museum overnighters, the Exuberus Teen Night, activating @artinstituteteens, and creating a teen audio guide.
- Meets January–June, meeting times TBD; Program may run in person, remotely, or hybid
- 15 interns
- Paid hourly at Chicago minimum wage
- Application will be released late summer/early fall (email teens@artic.edu to get updates)
McMullan Teen Internship (winter/spring)
McMullan Interns work with museum staff to design programming for family and youth audiences, including art-making, tours, and programs.
- Meets January-June; interns typically work Saturdays or Sundays 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; meeting schedule TBD; Program may run in person, remotely, or hybid
- 6 interns
- Paid hourly at Chicago minimum wage
- Application will be released late summer/early fall (email teens@artic.edu to get updates)
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Teenagers Exploring and Explaining Nature and Science (TEENS) – Summer, Fall, and Spring (ASM Advanced Apprenticeship)
Youth in the Teenagers Exploring and Explaining Nature and Science (TEENS) program participate in scientific investigations of ecosystems found in city parks and neighborhoods. Teens collect data for existing local, regional and global research projects and develop their own research questions to investigate. Teens gain experience with a wide range of environmental science field and laboratory methods for studying urban ecosystems, design data collection protocols and shareable mobile data collection forms, collect data for their projects, and contribute to peers’ projects. Using web-based apps, youth analyze data and create media-rich digital maps and other data visualizations that are posted on teen-created project websites. This is a paid, stipend-based opportunity. For more information, visit naturemuseum.org/teens. Apply through After School Matters at afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/
Camp Counselor Internship – Summer (ASM Internship)
Counselors review activities, prepare for camp sessions, and participate in staff training. Counselors bring high energy and enthusiasm each day as they help supervise up to thirty campers. By the end of the internship, counselors develop skills and knowledge in lesson implementation, informal education instruction, verbal communication skills, large group management (including age-appropriate management strategies), and content knowledge in local habitats and science. *All interns need a social security number. This is a full-time, paid seasonal opportunity. For more information about Nature Museum Camps, visit naturemuseumcamp.org. Apply through After School Matters at afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/
