Teen Creative Agency

The Teen Creative Agency (TCA) at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is a paid cultural leadership program for Chicago teens who want to make art and shape programming at a major museum. TCA members come from neighborhoods all over Chicago and meet weekly at the MCA. Sessions include time in the galleries, trips to other cultural sites, conversations with artists and museum staff, and work on group projects. Two Lead Artists guide the cohort as members build collaboration and leadership skills. Teens use contemporary art to respond to issues that matter to them and plan public events for other young people. Each year TCA curates and produces 21Minus, a showcase of teen creativity that fills the museum and is free for people 21 and under and their families. Members can earn up to $1,600 a year for making art, planning events, and gaining career experience. The program meets in person at the MCA, located at 220 E Chicago Ave in Chicago.

Open to Chicago-area teens ages 15 to 19. Apply through the online application on the MCA Teens page. The next application window opens in the spring. Questions can be sent to the MCA's learning team for school and youth communities.