Learn What We Do

What we do

The Teen Arts Council offers behind‑the‑scenes learning at the Museum, hands‑on roles in public programs, and individual or group projects that reflect real museum work. Teens explore what interests them most—researching history, creating art‑based projects, or diving into community engagement. Members might help shape TAC social media, write, make visual art, or lead programs in the CAM Education Studio or galleries.

The most important part is that teens are placed at the center of creative decision‑making. They generate project ideas, set priorities, and take on leadership roles that shape each initiative. Through teen‑led ideation and collaborative decision‑making, members choose themes, formats, and goals that reflect their interests and lived experiences.

Examples of past projects

Work in the galleries

Above the Fold: The “Gloucester Daily Times” Online Exhibit

The CAM Teen Council took inspiration from Above the Fold: The Photographers of the “Gloucester Daily Times” from 1973-2005 and chose snapshots from GDT film that stuck out to them. During the 2023 Summer Session, the council members helped sort through film negatives, scan photos, and put together an online presentation of their favorite photos from each photographer. Click here to view their online exhibit, GDT Through A New Lens.

Teen Takes

Members of the CAM Teen Council studied exhibits throughout the Museum and summed up their unique perspectives as “Teen Takes,” plaques written by the council members that are displayed across the Museum’s galleries. Keep an eye out for these to see the exhibits through a new lens or take a look at them online to inspire your next visit: CAM Teen Takes 2024

CAM Teen Council Member Adelaide made a playlist inspired by the Charles Allan Winter paintings that she wrote her Teen Takes about. Check it out and see what songs remind you of this collection!

Teen Artist Spotlight

The CAM Teen Council started the Teen Artist Spotlight to highlight teen artists around Cape Ann and give them a place to showcase their artwork. The artist’s work is posted on the CAM Teen Council Instagram with a brief biography of the artist. The CAM Teen Council is always looking for more applications, click here to submit your art! Submissions can also be sent via Direct Message to the Teen Council Instagram: @CAM.Teens

A Mundane History

Phoebe came up with the Mundane History Project after coming across a post about a little girl who, after learning what a museum did, found a rock on the ground and asked to get it put in a museum – and they agreed. Phoebe was deeply moved by this simple act, which showed how stories of humanity can be found in the smallest of objects. She hopes to tell the little stories of Cape Ann with a project acquiring mundane objects from people. Those stories make up most of our history, after all.

TAC social media

Teens run the TAC Instagram site taking photos, creating reels and sharing about current programs and opportunities of other teens to get involved. Follow us on Instagram at #camteenartscouncil.

Public events

Gloucester’s So Salty

Teens create programs, help at the Welcome Table and lead activities.

Juneteenth

Teens create activities to engage the community at the annual Juneteenth celebration.

Programs in the Community

Teens help at outreach tables at community events and create their own, such as the Folly Cove Designer Inspired Valentine Card Making Workshop that was developed and run by TAC at the Sawyer Free Library in 2026.

Learn how museums operate

Council members interview staff members to learn about jobs at the Museum and get a chance to tour behind the scenes. Meetings are also a great way to learn about daily operations and how exhibitions, visitor services, and programs are created.