We introduce teen audiences to the artistic voices present at MASS MoCA, with an emphasis on joy, exploration, visibility, and fresh perspectives on our work. Through these programs, MASS MoCA endeavors to incubate the next generation of artists and creatives.

Activators

The Activators at MASS MoCA is a distinctive opportunity for local teens to engage with the museum. The Activators program is designed as a structured channel to empower our teen audiences to have a substantive voice in our institution. This program provides teens with an avenue through which to learn cultural work and strategy, developing valuable skills in leadership, collaboration in groups across a wide array of constituents, analysis, and communication, and actively working with our team to lay the groundwork for our institutional future. Cohorts of 10–15 Activators in 11th and 12th grades will engage in intensive programming at the museum for 8–10 weeks, giving students extended exposure to all aspects of the museum’s work.

These teen leaders have required meetings 2–3 times per week to develop their literacy in the visual and performing arts, nurture their own creative practices through workshops and artist engagement, and gain valuable professional skills including working on a long-term and processual timeline that culminates in large scale project. Activators are set up to translate this work to a wide range of industries. Each cohort experiences different workshops that align with our current exhibitions and programs. Summer cohorts work on a longer timeline and assist with Camp MASS MoCA. Spring cohorts are on a shorter timeline and focus on the development and production of the Teen Invitational.

Teen Invitational

Join us for the 2025 Teen Invitational! Learn more here.
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6–9pm
Teen Programming: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 11–2pm
Exhibition On View: April 17–21, 2025

The MASS MoCA Teen Invitational is an annual, weekend-long celebration featuring an exhibition with over 250 works of visual art as well as music performances by students and teachers from ten high schools in the northern Berkshires. The Invitational highlights young people who engage with the visual and performing arts, inside or outside school settings.