Walker Art Center

In response to rapidly shifting demographics in Minneapolis, the Walker Art Center will work with community partners to sustain and expand its "Teens Programs," a nationally-recognized model for actively engaging youth with contemporary art and artists. Through recent research and program evaluations, the Walker has identified four new strategies to sustain and broaden access to these programs: The Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council (WACTAC), providing teens with artistic development and leadership opportunities; workshops with a particular focus on developing digital artmaking skills and high school credit recovery for graduation; events and partnerships, expanding access to contemporary art and supporting a dynamic youth community; and WACTAC alumni engagement, sustaining the long-term effect of the teen programs and inspiring lifelong arts participation. Program participation and free teen admission will result in total teen attendance of more than 80,000 annually over the three-year grant period, representing 14 percent of the institution's overall audience.