Youth Curator Program 2021

The MAAHMG Youth Curator Program was a nine-week summer learning experience for high school students held at the museum every Saturday. The goal of the program was to give youth an opportunity to learn about museum curation, and enhance their research, writing and communication skills. The theme for the program was racial justice and participants explored the history of African Americans in Minnesota and different art techniques. The group collaborated to research, design and curate a history exhibit about three historical events in Minnesota involving racial injustice against African American where the community responded with legislation or protests. The historical events featured in the exhibit are the 1920 Duluth lynchings; the 1967 Plymouth Avenue rebellion; and the 1969 Morrill Hall student takeover at the University of Minnesota. The youth curators also learned about art from local artists and created their own artworks that will be displayed as part of their exhibit. During the course of the program, the youth curators engaged in conversations with activists about how to create and implement change in Minnesota especially after the murder of George Floyd. Participants in the MAAHMG Youth Curator Program include: Rayaan Abdulkadir, Kylee Angwenyi-Ojeda, Kalani Bunton, Shaudae Edwards, Kayla Jeter, Latrese Johnson, Naimah Muhammad, Eryche Riley, Markese Seaborn, Aaron Woods, Jayden Young and Chris Yorahee. The program was led by MAAHMG Youth Program Coordinator Kayla Pollard. The program was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Vikings. They also created a video where they filmed interviews with each other on their thoughts about race in Minnesota. The youth curators’ exhibit will be on display at MAAHMG from August 21 – October 2, 2021.