Young Artists 2024

For over 40 years, the Katonah Museum of Art has hosted the annual Young Artists exhibition which features the work of high school seniors from public and private schools throughout the region.

An impactful program that supports the growth of student artists, the exhibition plays an integral role in the senior experience, providing a unique opportunity for students who plan to pursue the arts beyond high school. For the Museum, this idea of access and education is at the heart of its mission. Arts education has been a foundation of the KMA since its inception.

In addition to displaying the work of high school seniors, Young Artists gives students the opportunity to participate behind-the-scenes in many aspects of mounting a museum exhibition. The first component of the program, the graphic design workshop, involves a collaboration between students and graphic design educators to create the invitation and postcard that are used to promote the exhibition. Through virtual sessions and an all-day, in-person workshop, session, students learn about the elements of successful graphic work and completed their own design. From these submissions, one design is selected based on votes from the workshop participants and KKMA Board, staff, and volunteer team. 

After artworks are chosen by teachers and delivered to the KMA for the exhibition, select students from each school participate two days of installing the exhibition. Under the guidance of Museum professionals and the volunteer team, students take on the roles of curator, exhibition designer, and installer as they work collaboratively to mount this momentous exhibition. This process challenges them to consider how to organize hundreds of varied artworks to create a cohesive and pleasing exhibition experience for visitors.  Students are also actively learning installation skills of measuring, wall hanging, leveling, and placing labels.

The resulting exhibition features senior student artworks from high schools across a number of NY and CT counties. The works range in scale, concept, media and process, reflecting the diversity of expression among the emerging artists. For high school seniors, the Young Artists experience lasts a lifetime and creates a legacy that has touched, inspired, and connected many generations of young artists in the community.

Contact education@katonahmuseum.org or call 914-232-9555, ext. 2969 for more details on how your school can participate.  
 

Admission to Young Artists 2024 is free to the public. Please consider making a donation when you register to help support programs like this for future young artists.