Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston

The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (ICA) will expand its local and national strategy for teen arts programs by engaging 5,000 Boston-area teens in out-of-school programs that provide creative, safe spaces, and support teens' artistic growth, social and emotional well-being, and development of skills for life and school. The museum will also host a conference that will bring together a larger, national audience of 300 educators, advocates, scholars, artists, philanthropists, policy makers, health professionals, and youth to collectively envision a future for teen empowerment through the arts, and strengthen a network of advocates for teen arts programming. The conference will be followed by a culminating publication and online content that will be distributed widely. IMLS support will help the ICA serve high-need Boston teens, evaluate outcomes, and extend its expertise on a topic critical to local and national audiences.