In researching this blog we decided to look into what museums have to offer people in their late teens. Specifically, those who have recently graduated high school. Unfortunately when looking into this, I discovered that museums, like the general public are lacking in their programming for late teens. There are incredible programs for teens who are still in high school as well as for slightly older young adults who can drink, but this group of people between these two ages seems to have been forgotten.
There is great potential to provide something great for this age group. As I mentioned, museums are not the only ones to have left this group behind. Most public programming is only offered so long as these teens are still in high school or until they turn 18. After that, if these teens want to participate in special programming it is assumed that they will be comfortable participating alongside older adults. The problem here is that these older teens/young adults often don’t have the finances to participate the same way more established adults can. There is also a generational difference that can sometimes be considered intimidating if not approached appropriately.
The good news!
This group is looking for a way to engage. For those who have decided to forgo college there is little to no programming out there and they are looking to fill the void that has been left by graduating high school. Even those who do attend college, despite having on campus programming, are still looking for a way to connect to the larger community. This has created an opening for museums to step up.
Part of the solution is simple. To be more inclusive museums need to our best to extend the age limits in our programming. Far too often teenagers age out of programming that has been designed specifically for them, without being shown where they fit next. We also need to remember to start including these older teens in our programming for young adults. This means remembering that not all programming for this age needs to be a cocktail hour.
For some inspiration take a look at these museums who are stepping up and finding ways to include these forgotten teens:
ARTFORUM at WAVE the museums, galleries, and archives of Wolverhampton
This is a regularly held event that provides people between 14 and 25 the opportunity to explore the museum’s gallery as well as learn new techniques and make their own art. It is entirely run by the participants, who decide what they want to focus on.
http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/events/artforum-new-year-3rd-weds-2013-01-16/
ARTLAB at the Hirshhorn
This is a digital media studio that provides all teens age 13-19 access to technology and art. It is comprised of studio time as well as daily workshops and provides participants with marketable skills.
http://artlabplus.si.edu/artlabplus/about.html
Creativity, Community, and a Dash of the Unexpected: Adventures in Engaging Young Adult Audiences
Although this research publication is aimed at the higher end of our focused age group, young adults between 19-35, this report hits on a few key points to keep in mind when programming for older teens. They found that they "... originally thought of this audience as an age group but later realized that style, not age, was a better way to categorize the target audience."
http://denverartmuseum.org/sites/all/themes/dam/files/final_report_to_the_field_1.16.2012_final.pdf
I think it's great that you guys tackled this subject. I found exactly this problem when I first stared college and wasn't old enough to attend mixers and cocktail hours at local museums and an art festival held every year in my college town. Not only is it important to include these in be-teens (see what I did there?), but it will stretch the programs put on for any young adults. We don't (always) need alcohol to have a good time.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to see a post on this topic! And I loved the observation of the Denver Museum that reaching out to the audience according to their style was the better way to approach them than age limits that can be restrictive on BOTH ends!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's also interesting to consider that this age group is also defined by many of them being new college students! They are teenagers who have moved to a new location and are looking for opportunities to engage with their new surrounding. They are an audience which will remain in the area for four years (most likely). Also, as many universities have associated museums, these university-specific museum can also provide the secondary function of connecting the student more closely to his new school and help him to build identity and connect with intra-university communities.
Great post, Erika!
When I first read this post, I thought "What a difficult group to engage; these are great ideas!" Then I realized that a previous museum that I worked in engaged this forgotten group in a unique way. At the Children's Museum of Cleveland, students from a university nearby were hired was part of their federal work study student aid. It was truly a great relationship for the museum and the late teens alike! The museum had a "princess ball" and the work study students asked their friends to volunteer. We ended up having over 10 prince charmings volunteer! The Children's Museum does not cater to late teens/young adults, yet opportunity to volunteer/work was embraced and it gave them lots of life skills. So even museums whose audience may not been young adults, can engage them in certain ways! Thanks for the post! It really got me thinking!
ReplyDelete