Teen Council

The Art Institute of Chicago Teen Council is a paid, school-year leadership program for high school students in the Chicago area. Each council brings together 15 young artists, leaders, and organizers. Members work alongside museum staff to create programs and resources meant to make the museum more welcoming, accessible, and relevant to young people across Chicagoland. The 2026-2027 Teen Council runs from September 12, 2026, to June 12, 2027. The group meets in person at the museum on most Saturdays, with some online meetings on Wednesdays after school. Members should plan to spend about 3 to 4 hours each week on council work. Teen Council members are paid for their time. Along the way, participants work with museum mentors, see behind-the-scenes museum work, connect with the collection, and build professional skills. Teen Council is one of several teen offerings at the Art Institute, which also runs an after-school art-making program and paid school-year and summer internships.

Any teenager enrolled in a Chicagoland high school can apply. Apply through the Art Institute's online application when the cycle is open. Students interested in joining a future council should watch the museum's teen opportunities page for the next application window.