Teen Programs

SI believes that contemporary art can provide a unique and resonating link to young adults. SI Teen programs provide a safe space to grow individually and collectively, and to provide an environment to make meaningful work together.

Launched in 2019, SI’s Teen programs invite students from nearby high-schools to participate in after-school sessions, whether in a year-round Teen Council or in semester-long workshops, and in its intensive summer program in partnership with NYC’s Department of Youth And Community Development. All participants are paid for class hours. Please find more information below, including how to apply.

SI TEENS | FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS

SI’s after school teen classes are offered in the fall and spring semesters for teenagers aged 15-18 years old. As with all of SI’s teen programs, teens are paid for their completed hours. Each of SI’s teen classes are centered around a theme related to contemporary art, with lectures and discussions, close looking activities, art making, and individual and collaborative projects inspired by the theme.

Past program topics have included: the art of wandering, rituals and magic, the artistic processes of making/doing/thinking, the architecture of education, time based media + the capturing of the moment, site specific artworks, posters as artworks, and more.

Hosted by Lead Educator Julia Norton. Please email education(at)swissinstitute(dot)net with any questions.

UPCOMING TEEN CLASSES

Tuesdays, 4-6pm

Feb 14, Feb 21, Feb 28, March 7, March 14

Making/Doing/Thinking: The Artistic Process

When an artist makes an artwork, when is it complete? What is the “Art”, exactly, when an artwork can be difficult to put in a category? In addition, the process of making an artwork can itself be an artwork, and the materials used to make it also can act as collaborators and performers. This course examines the ways that artists make things, and whether the processes, materials, and concepts involved can be equal to if not more important than the final product.

Apply here!

SI TEEN COUNCIL | YEAR ROUND

Swiss Institute Teen Council (SITC) is a paid opportunity for teens of all backgrounds (ages 15-20 years old) to share their ideas and create original content centered on a teen audience. With the support of SI as our home base, SITC members can manifest shared ideas and bring them to life. SITC provides a safe space to grow individually and collectively, and to provide an environment to make meaningful work together. 

SITC’s goals include: planning events centered around a teen audience, to foster a creative environment, to engage with the arts, including the visual and performing arts, design, and architecture, playing an advising role in planning SI’s Teen Summer program, and create opportunities for SITC members to grow professional skills to help with future endeavors in various career paths

SITC is open to ages 15-20 years old, with priority given to graduates from SI’s teen programs. With Lead Educator Julia Norton. Please email education(at)swissinstitute(dot)net with any questions.

2023 SITC Dates: Every other Thursday, 4-6pm, starting on February 16, 2023 

Apply here!

SI TEEN SUMMER
SI’s summer teen program is presented in partnership with NYC’s Department of Youth And Community Development’s (DYCD) Summer Internship Program. This program is a paid opportunity offered to juniors and seniors in DYCD’s program, and aimed to foster career-readiness and exposure to contemporary art institutions and art professions. Students gain exposure by visiting art institutions around the NYC area, meeting with a variety of arts professionals, and participate in workshops designed by guest artists. Throughout the summer, students create independent and collaborating projects around a program theme.

With Lead Educator Julia Norton. Please email education(at)swissinstitute(dot)net with any questions.