21minus. Teen day at the mca.
saturday 18 may 2013 | special activities from noon > 3p
The Teen Creative Agency (TCA) is an exciting program at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago that partners with local teens. The rigorous two-year program is for individuals between the ages of 15 and 19 who are interested in becoming active civic leaders and interpreters of contemporary culture. As part of the program’s focus on cultural participation, the TCA members are hosting a Teen Day at the MCA called 21Minus. The event takes place Saturday, May 18, 2013, with special activities from noon – 3 pm and a conversation and social time from 3 – 5 pm. The event is free for teens and their families.
The TCA members invited Chicago-area teens to submit proposals for creative experiences such as performances, conversations, and interactive projects they would like to present at 21Minus. The participating teens represent the vibrant diversity of Chicago and hail from many neighborhoods including Albany Park, Back of the Yards, Bronzeville, East Side, Lincoln Park, the Loop, South Loop, and Pilsen, along with the surrounding suburbs of Cary Grove, Crystal Lake, Naperville, and Sauganash.
21Minus includes activities, actions, and performances that showcase the energy of contemporary art, including dance, music, comedic tours, glee club sets, refreshments, and interactive projects to engage MCA Chicago visitors. The day also features the TCA Living Room, a new ongoing MCA initiative led by teens to create a comfortable environment in the galleries for conversation. A complete itinerary is provided at the event. Visitors may also view three new exhibitions that open on May 18: Theaster Gates: 13th Ballad; Think First, Shoot Later: Photography from the MCA Collection; and MCA DNA: Chicago Conceptual Abstraction, 1986-1995.
As the first group of TCA members finish their two years with the program, MCA Chicago looks forward to welcoming the third annual class in the fall. The goal of TCA is to support teens developing their critical interpretation, public expression, and cultural participation skills. The program positions contemporary art as a catalyst for conversation and agency, exploring themes and topics that are authentic to the teenage life and to MCA Chicago. Launched in September 2011 by the MCA’s Education Department, TCA is led by local artists who guide the conversations and projects at the program’s weekly sessions that analyze the stories behind the art. TCA members also work with MCA staff, lead in-gallery activities, and take monthly trips to cultural organizations, Chicago neighborhoods, and artist studios. [ mca ]