Youth Board of Artists (YBA)

Youth Board of Artists is Hyde Park Art Center’s program for dedicated South Side youth interested in organizing and community projects. This year, a select group teens will meet for 10 total sessions from each term to plan events such as open mics, pilot new art activities, design their own programs, and connect with Chicago teen partnerships. Youth Art Board participants will hone their abilities to collaborate, innovate, take positive risks, and manage projects from inception to completion. Composed of 15 high-school-age teens from neighborhoods across Chicago, YBA will meet in-person to explore the world of contemporary art, delve into HPAC  exhibitions, dive into topics,  meet with exhibiting and visiting artists, and introduce Hyde Park Art Center to outside teen groups and organizations.

Teens who are accepted into this program participate, support, contribute, and complete projects, and are paid a stipend for their work and participation ($150/quarter, $500 per Summer term). Attendance and active participation are a large part of this program, so if accepted, YBA members must work with parents and other schedules to plan ahead and participate responsibly. Youth Art Board members must be currently enrolled in a south side high school or be taking high school equivalent courses in good academic standing. Participants must and able to adhere to the program attendance policy (cannot miss more than 3 meetings).