TEEN ART COUNCIL
EARN VOLUNTEER HOURS AND LEARN NEW SKILLS
MOCA Jacksonville’s Teen Art Council is a volunteer group that empowers local high school students by creating programming by and for teens. Teen Art Council members meet twice a month to learn about the museum, engage with different departments, develop mission-driven projects, and plan an annual event for local teens. As Teen Art Council members create and implement programs, they will open doors to new audiences. Members also earn volunteer hours for their participation that count toward college and scholarship requirements.
In celebration of MOCA’s 100th Anniversary, graduating senior members of the Teen Art Council 2024-25 will be eligible to apply for the Vystar MOCA Centennial Scholarship, in partnership with Florida Prepaid College Foundation, to study for a BA in the Department of Art, Art History and Design at the University of North Florida, commencing Fall 2025.
2024-25 TEEN ART COUNCIL DATES
Applications open Mon, Jul 1 - Wed, Aug 15
Application decisions will be emailed by Fri, Aug 30
First Meeting Wed, Sep 18 at 6 p.m.
Members meet twice monthly on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 5-6:30 p.m.
Required Volunteer Days: Fall Family Block Party on Sat, Nov 16 and Spring Family Day on Sat, Mar 29
SEE WHAT THE TEEN ART COUNCIL HAS DONE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS!
A NIGHT '70s NEW YORK
Every year, MOCA's Teen Art Council is tasked with increasing teen engagement with the museum through new and innovative programming and volunteering throughout the year to ensure that happens. The group recently wrapped up their 2023-24 season by throwing a celebratory gala inspired by the exhibition A Walk on the Wild Side: '70s New York in the Norman E. Fisher Collection, presented in connection to MOCA's 100th anniversary. The '70s themed evening featured vendors, artists, musicians, and entertainers who were all teens themselves. This year, the gala hosted over 130 teens who had the opportunity to engage in the teen-centered event and enjoy access to the art in all the museum's galleries. The exclusive event was only open to the Teen Art Council and other teens ranging in age from 13-19 years old.
Beyond teen programming, the MOCA Teen Art Council was also invited to present at the Southeastern Museum Director’s Conference hosted by MOCA Jacksonville, alongside the program lead, Dr. Alarie Gibbs, Weaver Assistant Director of Education. Three long-standing Teen Art Council Members: Isabelle Hansen, Yahalice Donayre, and Kierra Reese, served as panelists who talked about their experience with the Teen Art Council over the last three years. The teens led the participating museum directors in an inspiring discussion on the successes and challenges of the Teen Art Council, as well as how the program has evolved. The major takeaway from this presentation was we will continue to strengthen the relationship MOCA has with teens and teen volunteers by providing an intentional pipeline of engagement beginning with our youngest teen volunteers and moving forward with additional opportunities such as, teen teachers, interns, and hopefully one day—MOCA Jacksonville staff.
A NIGHT IN THE FLUTTER ZONE
During the 2022/23 school year, 30 teens met twice a month to learn from museum staff, volunteer at museum events, and plan their annual Teen Art Council Gala, A Night in the Flutter Zone, which served 180 local teens. The evening was based on Project Atrium: MILAGROS Flutter Zone and included live music, appearances by costumed guests, a fashion show, an artist market, and a juried art exhibition. These teens completed roughly 1,200 volunteer service hours and developed skills they will be able to take to college and into the workforce.
A NIGHT IN RED
The inaugural Teen Art Council group included 18 council members who completed nearly 700 service hours. The group worked over the course of the school year to become more deeply involved in the museum's mission by engaging with different departments, supporting public programming, and working together to create an amazing first gala event, A Night in Red, which served 130 local teens. The evening was based on Project Atrium: Chiharu Shiota Letters of Love and featured live music, a fashion show, and interactive art making stations.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for MOCA Teen Art Council, candidates must meet these requirements:
- Be a 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grader at any high school in Jacksonville.
- Submit a completed application. Applications for the next session will open July 1, 2024!
- Teens interested in art, music, culture, museums, or any other type of creative outlet are welcome. You do not need to be an artist to apply!
- Have availability after school for Teen Art Council meetings twice a month from September through April.
- Occasional Saturdays and event days are required beyond regular meeting times.
- MOCA Teen Art Council members are expected to follow the rules and guidelines of the program, participate in bi-weekly meetings and occasional events, complete group responsibilities such as art assignments, blog entries, audio/video content, and develop teen centered events for the museum.
- Teen Art Council Members are required to volunteer at two Family Day events and need to have the dates Nov 16 and Mar 29 available to participate.
