Teen Programs

Art Lab

Grades 11-12

About Art Lab

Art Lab, The Aldrich's intensive program for juniors and seniors in high school who are interested in, and who can benefit from, experience in the visual arts, will be taking a break during the 2009-2010 school year.

For 10 years, classes of high school students have met weekly at the Museum for nine months, exploring issues in contemporary art, focusing on possible career paths, and investigating their creative potential, while interacting with artists and art professionals. The focus of Art Lab has always been on giving students insight into the contemporary art world. Students met with curators from the Museum and from New York galleries, met and created work with contemporary artists in Aldrich exhibitions, reviewed the work of their peers, learned ways in which the arts can serve a community, and helped to host Museum events. Projects varied from year to year, depending on the overall interests of the students in the program.

Art Lab has a limited number of openings for new participants each year, so stayed tuned for information about a NEW Art Lab in spring 2010.

Portfolio Talk and Portfolio Review Day

Every fall, The Aldrich Museum offers two free portfolio-related programs for high school students who are planning to attend or are curious about art school.

Portfolio Talk
Thursday, October 8
4 to 5:30 pm
FREE

Come hear an art school admissions director share tips and suggestions on how to polish up your portfolio for admission to art school. Learn what to do and what not to do, and get answers to your questions. Teachers, if you would like to bring a group of ten students or more, please let us know in advance. Parents of aspiring artists are welcome. Guest speaker yet to be determined.

Portfolio Review Day
Monday, October 19
3 to 7 pm
FREE

Come to The Aldrich prepared to show off your artwork to some of the top art schools, colleges, and universities in the US! Admissions representatives from these schools will be here to review your portfolio, whether you are ready to apply or just want some feedback. This event gives students a chance to investigate potential schools, gain a better understanding of what schools are looking for, and get a jump-start on the admissions process without a drive to Hartford or New York! Doors open at 3 pm. Parents and teachers are also welcome.

For more information about Portfolio Talk and Portfolio Review Day, please call Nina Carlson at 203.438.4519 x 19 or email at ncarlson@aldrichart.org

Schools are registering daily and so far include:

Internships

Want to learn what makes a Museum work? The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is a laboratory for museum education, dedicated to mentoring the next generation of museum professionals. Our interns are organized, creative, and motivated students looking to gain insight into how a contemporary art museum operates. Internships are generally unpaid, but offer the opportunity to build professional skills and relationships with experienced museum mentors.

Internships are offered in many departments, including Public Relations, Curatorial, Education, and Development. Most internships are related to specific projects and take place over three summer months. However, some departments accept applications throughout the year. Click to view a list of available internship opportunities.

Volunteer

Earn community service hours while helping at family and children’s programs and other Museum events throughout the year. For more information, contact Maggie McCormick at volunteer@aldrichart.org or click to view list of available volunteer opportunities.