Dia Teens offers young people the space, freedom, and support to make their ambitious, experimental ideas real and actionable.  

Dia Teens is a year-round program at Dia Beacon and is free for all participants. In-program transportation, lunches, snacks, and materials are provided for all sessions. Financial assistance for public transportation to and from Dia Beacon is available. Youth participants in good standing are eligible to receive stipends at the completion of each semester during the summer and academic school year (fall and spring).  

What happens? 

COLLABORATE with peers and artists to realize original and self-directed projects 

LEARN, PRACTICE, and DEVELOP skills related to critical thinking, self-expression, and art-making 

BUILD COMMUNITY and ENGAGE with other teens, artists, and organizations in the Hudson Valley and beyond 

IDENTIFY, QUESTION, and CHALLENGE ideas related to contemporary art   

Who participates? 

TEENS: 15 high school students from across the Hudson Valley with diverse interests and perspectives; some make art, some channel their creativity in other ways.

ARTIST COLLABORATOR: Every year a new artist-in-residence partners with teens to create original projects over the course of the program.

VISITING ARTISTS facilitate workshops, participate in discussions, host teens in their studio and gallery spaces, lead critiques, and invite teens to participate in their own projects.  

Past guest artists include artists Ja’Tovia Gary, Koyoltzintli, Be Oakley, Brontez Purnell, Sal Randolph, Elliot Reed, Aya Rodriguez-Izumi, Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Alex Tartarsky, Lindsay Packer, Lukaza Branfman Verissimo, Daria Garina as well as teens from Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, New Museum, Park Avenue Armory, Studio Museum in Harlem, and Whitney Museum of American Art. 

Where does it take place? 

For summer 2024, Dia Teens will take place in-person, in the Learning Lab, galleries, and on the grounds of Dia Beacon. There will also be off-site field trips with extended hours.  

Past field trips include: Dia sites in New York City, Abrons Art Center, Common Ground Farms, Brooklyn Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, Gagosian Gallery and MoMA PS1.

 When does it happen?

Dia Teens is a year-round program. Accepted students commit to participating for a full program year, including summer 2024 and school year 2024–25.  

Participants in good standing are eligible to receive stipends at the completion of each semester during the summer and academic school year (fall and spring). Please look closely at the schedule below to make sure that you are able to commit to both before applying. 

SUMMER INTENSIVE: July 9–August 16 2024, Tuesdays–Fridays, 11am–3pm. Field trips have extended hours.

SCHOOL YEAR: October 2025–June 2025, first and third Saturdays of the month, 11am–3pm. Field trips have extended hours.

To ensure the health and safety of Dia Teens students, families, and staff, there are a number of protocols and procedures in place. 

• To provide a safe program space free of recognized hazards and to take every possible step to reduce the transmission of COVID among all staff and Dia Teens participants, applicants must be able to show proof of vaccination at the group interview. 
  

• For all Dia Teens sessions, it is optional to wear masks indoors. 

Program sessions may include time in the Learning Lab, which has multiple vents for air circulation; the Dia Beacon galleries, outdoors on Dia Beacon’s grounds, and nearby, walkable locations off-site.  

 Program participants can expect to come in regular contact with Dia staff, other Dia teens from both the Beacon and New York City cohorts, guest artists, and non-Dia participants during field trips and in-gallery experiences.  

 Please note: Dia’s policies may be updated at any point in alignment with national and state guidelines, and staff will keep all students and families up to date on these changes. 

> Accepted participants must be able to show proof of vaccination and booster. 

> Participants must attend every session unless prior arrangements are made. Please review the schedule closely to make sure that you are available for all of the sessions. 

> The application process is competitive, and limited spots are available. Please complete your application thoughtfully, and be yourself! 

Application due: Sunday, June 9, 2024 

Group Interview: Wednesday, June 12, 2024          

All applicants are invited to an in-person group interview with current Dia teens and staff at Dia Beacon  
(3 Beekman Street, Beacon, NY 12508) on Wednesday, June 12, 3:30–5 pm. Further details will be provided upon submission of application.  

If you have questions, please email Alvalia Pemberton, Learning and Engagement Associate, at learning@diaart.org.