Room To Rise - Heather Maxson and Danielle Linzer

Whitney Museum of American Art

ROOM TO RISE: The Lasting Impact of Intensive Teen Programs in Art Museums

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DESIGNING THE STUDY

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A National Collaboration

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Rethinking Research

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CHANGING LIVES

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Key Engagement Strategies

● Supportive Staff Mentors ● Authentic Work ● Sustained Engagement ● Interactions with Artists ● Peer Diversity

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Lasting Impacts for Alumni

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Overall, respondents rated their teen art program as the most positive influence in their youth.

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“It’s sort of a lifelong transformation. Having gone through the program I’ve felt like the museum is home to me. . . . Even if I’ve never been to a particular museum before, I just know how to be in that space. I value museums more and more.” (CAMH participant)

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PHOTO JOURNAL SNAPSHOT: “Think big!” An artist only develops by learning to take risks. At the beginning of the school year, most of my students dare not draw or paint on a sheet of paper larger than 8.5x11”. This is where I come in. with positive encouragement and clear expectations, all students will paint on a 4’x5’ canvas that they build themselves. During my apprenticeship at MOCA I was encouraged to take risks and learn from the experiences. – John Ildefonso (MOCA Participant)

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CHANGING MUSEUMS

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Institutional Impact

● By teens, for teens ● Taking risks ● Small numbers, big impact ● Challenging assumptions ● Building a diverse audience for the future

“The museum field, like the Walker staff, learned that underserved audiences may, with proper and heartfelt welcome, become a devoted public.” —  Kathy Halbreich, former Director, Walker Art Center

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SHAPING OUR PRACTICE

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WHITNEY.ORG/ROOMTORISE

•  Full downloadable report •  Technical supplement •  Sample instruments •  Video content and more Heather Maxson, Director of School, Youth, and Family Programs Whitney Museum of American Art: [email protected] Danielle Linzer, Curator of Education and Interpretation The Andy Warhol Museum: [email protected]

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Questions?