Photo by Eliesa Johnson
Kids reading at the Walker Art Center
It takes a long time to civilize the creatures we call children. (It’s a good thing they’re cute.) But eventually, they’ll be running the show. These programs make that prospect less scary.
The Walker Art Center’s Teen Arts Council meets once a week during the school year to collaborate and help create and produce arts programs that engage their age group. Kids have to apply for one of 12 positions on the council and are expected to do work outside of meetings. walkerart.org
The YMCA sponsors a yearly Youth in Government event that brings “delegates” from all over the state to the Twin Cities to participate in a youth-led congress that includes seriously competitive elections, model assembly, writing and defending bills, its own newspaper and media network, and, of course, a Governor’s Ball. ymcatwincities.org
The Destination Imagination Challenge Program offers seven challenges in creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving. Teams spend weeks creating and practicing creative solutions before heading to a local tournament, where they compete at improv, building machines and structures, creating art, and designing service projects. Teams that do well advance nationally and perhaps even to the Global Finals, which draws more than 16,000 people from some 30 countries. mndi.org
