Want to get paid to be creative with other teens?  

Earn up to $1,000 by participating in the Teen Leadership Collective at the National Gallery of Art. This paid program is a space where teens can explore their lives, ideas, creativity and connections.

As part of the Teen Leadership Collective, you’ll collaborate with other teens and National Gallery staff to design and contribute to a public workshop. Along the way, you’ll learn more about DC’s artistic and creative communities as you sharpen skills in leadership, collaboration, communication, creativity, social emotional learning, budgeting, logistics, lesson planning, and facilitation.  

The Teen Leadership Collective will be made up of up to six teens, ages 15–19, who live in DC.  

Program features

• Icebreakers
• Mindfulness activities
• Artmaking
• Group discussions
• Professional development  
• Field trip(s)  
• Visits with National Gallery staff and local area creatives to learn about careers

The program is designed to support community building, career exploration, skill building, mental health, and wellbeing. You don’t need to be an experienced artist to apply. Whether you’re already comfortable in creative spaces or just starting to explore them, this program is for you.  

Meetings   
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.   
September 26 – December 12, 2026 (11 sessions)  
There will not be a session on November 28, 2026, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Lunch and snacks will be provided.  

Pay    
Up to $1,000.  

Eligibility

Teens must:

Be 15-19 years old on or before September 26, 2026 
Reside in the District of Columbia 
Be able to attend all meetings  
Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. 
 

The application period for this program will be open from July 27 – August 28, 2026.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for membership in the Teen Leadership Collective without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other protected status. The National Gallery offers equal opportunity and treatment to all who apply.   

The Teen Studio Series has wrapped up for this year and will be back in the Spring of 2027. See you then!  

Create your way. Own your style. Make your mark.

Step into a space built for you—where your voice and creativity matter, plus you get to hang out with other creative teens.

The Teen Studio Series is all about building community, trying new things, and learning real skills at every session. These workshops are led by inspiring artists based in the DMV.

Questions? Email [email protected].

We’re cooking up new experiences for local and visiting teens. Be sure to sign up for updates about our new teen-exclusive programs.