After opening its doors about a year ago, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has created the Next Lounge, a program that allows students to work in a safe environment and learn more about art.
The program is still in its infancy, said Samuel Ireland, director of operations for educational programs at the museum, located at 265 S. Church Ave. So far, Basis School students have taken advantage of the space to do homework and hang out after school.
“The idea of it is that it provides a safe place for teens to come,” Ireland said. “There are studies that have shown from the hours of 3 to 5 p.m., kids are more likely to get in trouble.”
Kids ages 17 and under can come for free and get help with homework or learn about art, Ireland said. They can also use the video room, library and educational areas. Next Lounge is unstructured, allowing kids to sprawl out and find a space in the museum where they are comfortable.
Tucson needs programs like this, Ireland said, because there are not many places for kids to go that are free or non-commercial, especially downtown.
Since small groups of kids started coming to the museum, there has been a sense of intimacy among students and artists that makes the interaction like a mentorship, he said.
Artist Paco Velez has worked with MOCA for the past few years and always tries to volunteer when he can.
“Museum experiences can be intimidating, especially if you have never been to one,” he said. “Having a connection and interacting with the youth make it helpful.”
The Next Lounge is meant to engage young people and help introduce them to events at MOCA, said Anne-Marie Russell, director of MOCA.
The Warhol Foundation provided primary funding for the program along with aid from other foundations.
People really enjoy the multi-generational aspect, Russell said. Grandparents will bring their grandkids to a kid-friendly event and young artists will mentor the teenagers who attend.
“Parents with teenagers who might not be connecting well have found that educational events are a great bonding mechanism for parents and teens through exhibitions,” Russell said. “I don’t know other places in Tucson that are able to bring such a diverse crowd together.”
After opening its doors about a year ago, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has created the Next Lounge, a program that allows students to work in a safe environment and learn more about art.
The program is still in its infancy, said Samuel Ireland, director of operations for educational programs at the museum, located at 265 S. Church Ave. So far, Basis School students have taken advantage of the space to do homework and hang out after school.
“The idea of it is that it provides a safe place for teens to come,” Ireland said.
“There are studies that have shown from the hours of 3 to 5 p.m., kids are more likely to get in trouble.”
Kids ages 17 and under can come for free and get help with homework or learn about art, Ireland said. They can also use the video room, library and educational areas. Next Lounge is unstructured, allowing kids to sprawl out and find a space in the museum where they are comfortable.
Tucson needs programs like this, Ireland said, because there are not many places for kids to go that are free or non-commercial, especially downtown.
Since small groups of kids started coming to the museum, there has been a sense of intimacy among students and artists that makes the interaction like a mentorship, he said.
Artist Paco Velez has worked with MOCA for the past few years and always tries to volunteer when he can.
“Museum experiences can be intimidating, especially if you have never been to one,” he said. “Having a connection and interacting with the youth make it helpful.”
The Next Lounge is meant to engage young people and help introduce them to events at MOCA, said Anne-Marie Russell, director of MOCA. The Warhol Foundation provided primary funding for the program along with aid from other foundations.
People really enjoy the multi-generational aspect, Russell said. Grandparents will bring their grandkids to a kid-friendly event and young artists will mentor the teenagers who attend.
“Parents with teenagers who might not be connecting well have found that educational events are a great bonding mechanism for parents and teens through exhibitions,” Russell said. “I don’t know other places in Tucson that are able to bring such a diverse crowd together.”
After opening its doors about a year ago, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has created the Next Lounge, a program that allows students to work in a safe environment and learn more about art.