Teen Programs

Varsity Docent Program

The Varsity Docent Program is The Aldrich Museum's new intensive and highly interactive program for teens. High school students who have twice completed the Student Docent Program, are interested in the arts, like to work in collaboration with your peers, and are willing to commit to monthly meetings, you are eligible to apply. The Varsity Docent Program will offer engagement on the level of an internship, utilizing the students' skills in mentoring situations beyond the Student Docent class tour, and enabling participants to grow educationally in a museum setting. The Varsity Docents will become involved in a variety of the Museum's programs and work with multiple audiences. These experiences, combined with behind-the-scenes involvement and discussion with Museum staff, field trips to New York studios and arts organizations, and workshops with artists, will give students a strong foundational understanding of the public dimension of a museum.

Click to learn more about the Student Docent Program.

Workshops and Events

In collaboration with the Varsity Docents, the Museum will design workshops and events for teen audiences throughout the year.

Visit our events calendar for a list of programs.

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 4, 2012
5:30 to 7 pm
FREE

Thinking about art school? Join us at The Aldrich to hear an art school admissions representative share tips and suggestions on how to polish up your portfolio for the admission process. Learn what to do—and what not to!—and get answers to your questions. Teachers, if you plan to bring a group of ten students or more, please let us know in advance. Parents of aspiring artists are welcome.

Portfolio Review Day
Monday, October 15, 2012
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 Gina Furnari at 203.438.4519 extension 40 or email at gfurnari@aldrichart.org

Teen Pizza

Third Friday of every month
3 to 5 pm
FREE

New for fall 2011, a program created for teens by the Museum's Varsity Docent Program students! Every third Friday of the month, starting October 21, the Varsity Docent team will host informal collaborative art-making sessions, inspired by the current Collaborations exhibitions. Everyone will enjoy pizza, refreshments, and music provided by Ridgefield Music and Arts Center teens.

Visit our events calendar for a list of programs.

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. Many internships are related to specific projects and take place over the 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, click to view list of available volunteer opportunities.