Earlier this month, eight SPS high school students introduced themselves around a conference table in the Gilkey Room at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC). They were joined by a small group of art teachers and MAC employees, all gathered for the first meeting of the inaugural Teens @ the MAC cohort.
“Teens @ the MAC is a youth arts leadership program designed to give participants a rich experience in the arts through monthly meetings that offer opportunities to engage with art, develop workplace skills, connect with local arts professionals, and grow in understanding of potential career pathways in the arts,” explained MAC School Programs Manager Lindsey Newton.
“This program emerged from conversations with leaders within Spokane Public Schools, with the goal of expanding the MAC’s existing partnership with our area’s largest school district – specifically to strengthen our connection to local high school art teachers.”
Students involved in the arts – not just visual arts but theater, dance, music, and multimedia arts as well – were invited to apply in the fall, and most of the students gathered shared that they were encouraged by their art teacher to apply for the new program. They sat as candidates for panel interviews before being selected to the cohort. They’ll spend the next few months collaborating to design and implement a project for the museum with support and guidance from MAC staff and artists.
“We hope the students learn about careers in the arts, including museum careers, so that they can have knowledge and skills to propel them in their futures,” Newton shared.
Several of the students noted plans to attend art school or incorporate art into future careers.
“I feel like the art world is pretty scary to get into, so I feel like this is a good opportunity,” said Tyler Bennett from Lewis and Clark High School.
Shadle Park High School student Jozlyn Johnson shared that she was interested in the program’s “cultural aspect and getting more people and different groups of people involved, so they can all feel welcome in the art world.”
After introductions, students heard from the MAC’s Curator of Modern and Contemporary Arts, Rachel Allen, who is a member of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe.
“My heart is just bursting hearing you all say why you’re here,” she said before sharing her own story of attending art school and pursing art as a printmaker, as well as how mentors along the way guided her towards opportunities in museum curation.
Students asked a range of questions, from advice for aspiring artists (“Find a mentor and learn how to be a good mentee”) to how an art show or exhibit should flow (“Learn how to edit, and explore what other ways there are to tell a story without your voice and narrative”).
Allen passed around test pieces by artist and Colville Confederated Tribes member Joe Feddersen, whose retrospective exhibit “Earth, Water, Sky” she co-curated at the MAC last fall. She also shared the exhibition’s accompanying books, which she edited with Heather Ahtone (Choctaw/Chickasaw Nation), the director of curatorial affairs at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.
As the students carefully handled sand-blasted glasswork and a partially woven sally bag, Allen talked about building a relationship with the artist and the multi-year process to curate such an extensive retrospective exhibition.
She asked questions of the students too, inquiring about their interest in art history and what pieces they used in their own art school applications.
For the next phase of their orientation, the students stepped out of the conference room and into the galleries with MAC Manager of Interpretation Linda Strong to introduce concepts of visitor engagement and how museum staff help visitors understand what’s going on in the exhibits.
“We are excited to learn from these talented students and all the others who we hope to work with in the coming years,” said Newton
Applications for the 2025-26 Teens @ the MAC cohort will open in spring 2025. Visit MAC Youth Programs to learn about more opportunities.
2024-25 Teens @ the Mac
Tyler Bennett, Lewis & Clark
Lauren Erickson, Shadle Park
Adele Iannelli, North Central
Rowan Jeske, Lewis & Clark
Jozlyn Johnson, Shadle Park
Lily Jones, Rogers
Brooklynn LaRosa, North Central
Maycee McMorris, Ferris