Essex Art Center's teen programs are unique. Participating students do not act as assistants or participants in a professional artist's work; they develop the content themselves and bring it to life. We provide students with the agency to conceptualize and execute community-based work under the mentorship of experienced artist educators. Through this process, teens develop professional skills, learn time management, and see the power of building relationships within the community.

Due to the professional, public-facing nature of the work, we believe it is essential to compensate the young people for their time. By providing a stipend, we empower teens to make a choice between participating in one of our programs or pursuing a job elsewhere.

If you are a teen looking to get involved, please check back regularly for the next round of Paid Programs for Teens. Keep in mind that these programs are competitive, so make sure to allow enough time to complete a thoughtful application.