MOCAD Teen Council

The MOCAD Teen Council is a select group of young creatives from around Metro Detroit, ages 13-18, who meet weekly to propose, plan, and produce events for their peers. Our members are passionate about the arts and their power to question conventional thinking and norms. Youth are naturally curious and often search for a place to exercise their curiosity to make sense of the world around them.

Teen Council is a place to do just that, with support from caring adults, our funders, and supporters who step back to let youth lead, while holding the programmatic structure they need to succeed. They work together to develop agreements and practice new ways of decision-making that give space to every voice at the table. They take on the tasks of program planning, proposing ideas, organizing themselves into working groups, defining roles and timelines, and hosting their events. They reflect and assess each event, learning as they go to shape stronger and stronger events and programs for their peers.

For their individual growth, Teen Council members also receive support through resume development, college tours, museum and gallery visits, cultural field trips, teen-focused exhibitions, career development, portfolio development, expanded networks, inspiration, positive adult mentoring, and much more.

CONTACT

For more information about the MOCAD Teen Council, please contact Michael Goe, Education Associate at mgoe@mocadetroit.org or call 313.832.6622.

LEARN MORE

Download the Teen Program Case Study
Watch: 2018 Teen Council
Watch: 2018 Detroit Hip Hop Architecture Camp
Watch: 2017 Teen Council
Watch: D-Artist Studio with Scott Hocking
Watch: D-Artist Studio with Tiff Massey
Watch: 2016 Teen Council
Watch: 2014 Teen Council

Portraits of the 2018 Teen Council cohortPortraits of the 2018-19 Teen Council cohort, Photo: MOCADTeen council member presents during a weekly meeting inside of Mike Kelley's Mobile Homestead, 2019Teen Council member presents a during weekly meeting inside of Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead, 2019, Photo: MOCAD

YTwo Teen Council members during the Teen Applebaum Art Exhibition at MOCADTeen Council members during the opening of the Teen Applebaum Art Exhibition at MOCAD, 2019, Photo: MOCAD

Youth drawing workshop organized by the Teen CouncilYouth drawing workshop organized by the Teen Council, 2018, Photo: MOCAD

Participating artist in the Applebaum Teen Art Exhibition, 2019Participating artist in the Applebaum Teen Art Exhibition, 2019, Photo: MOCAD

YOUTH EVENTS

Poetry Slam 10 Year Logo
APR 15, 2020, 4:30PM–7:30PM (POSTPONED)
YOUTH POETRY: KIDS-TALK (CAC)
Art by Tylon Sawyer used for poster
APR 18, 2020, 11AM–3PM (POSTPONED)
TEEN WORKSHOP: ABSTRACT FIGURAL PAINTING WITH TYLONN SAWYER
Art by Peter Williams used as poster
APR 18, 2020, 11AM–12PM (CANCELLED)
TEENS ONLY TALK: PETER WILLIAMS
Art by Tylon Sawyer used for poster
APR 25, 2020, 11AM–3PM (POSTPONED)
TEEN WORKSHOP: ABSTRACT FIGURAL PAINTING WITH TYLONN SAWYER

FUNDERS/DONORS

MOCAD youth programs are supported by the Applebaum Family Compass Fund, Avalon International Breads, the Mandell and Madeleine Berman Foundation, the Edith S. Briskin/Shirley K. Schlafer Foundation, the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation, Harmony Garden, Heart of Neiman Marcus, the MGM Resorts Foundation, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.