May 16, 2012
If you ever feel blocked out of events because of minimum age requirements and minimal cash flow, investigate your options here. For one, you can check out more than books at the New York, Brooklyn or Queens library systems (the Bronx and Staten Island are part of the New York Public Library). Between the three central library systems, there are hundreds of neighborhood branches that offer free computer use, plus films, talks with authors, performances and art exhibitions, all for free.
Another resource for teens is High Five Tickets for the Arts, which sells discount tickets to all kinds of New York City events. Its $5 tickets to concerts, plays and dance performances are available only for teens. High Five also sells $5 two-for-one admission tickets to museums.
For a rundown on when museums, gardens and other places offer free or pay-what-you-wish admission, see Free Attractions in New York, in NYC ARTS' Things to Do section. For example, the galleries of International Center of Photography are free on Friday evenings. Its school across the street includes photography courses for teens.
-
ManhattanFri, May 18, 2012 – Sun, May 20, 2012
Keen Teens, the educational theater program for the Drama Desk-winning Keen Company, presents the premieres of three new plays written by Kathryn Walat, Janine Nabers, and Michael Mitnick. More -
BrooklynPlease check full listing for event date and times
Run by youth for youth, this monthly open mic series is a safe space for young poets, spoken word artists, emcees, scholars and activists to share their voices. More -
ManhattanPlease check full listing for event date and times
Run by youth for youth, this monthly open mic series is a safe space for young poets, spoken word artists, emcees, scholars and activists to share their voices. More -
ManhattanOngoing
Crafted as artistic events just for ages 14-19, these Friday afternoons kick off with pizza before participants settle down to make art, watch films and discuss art and artists of the past 125 years. The last session in 2011 is December 16. The first in 2012 is January 6. More -
Action Center to End World Hunger
Manhattan
With exhibitions, interactive stations and talks, the Action Center welcomes visitors to learn about global hunger and poverty how the public can combat these issues. School groups are welcome. More -
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Manhattan
This nonprofit organization identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. More -
Manhattan
This multi-ethnic performance group mounts six to seven musicals a year. More -
Bronx
Works by 20th-century artists from Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as American descendants from those regions, form the basis of the collection. Exhibitions and programs offer Bronx residents the opportunity to learn about themselves and their heritage, history and culture while gaining insight into other cultural groups. More -
Bronx
This multi-arts center has filled the West Farms community of the Bronx with art and environmental experiences. Programs encourage residents to engage in creative activism towards the revitalization of their neighborhood. It provides affordable fine arts and digital media classes for all ages. More -
Manhattan
Downtown Art works with teen artists to create original theater, music and performance events and to champion the capacities of young people. More -
International Center of Photography
Manhattan
ICP presents more than 20 exhibitions a year, exploring the diversity of the medium—from documentary photography to digital imagery. The collection houses more than 100,000 original photographic prints representing some 1,000 photographers. More -
Rubin Museum of Art: RMA Teens
ManhattanOngoing
Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at how a museum operates, explore career paths in the arts, gain valuable public speaking and leadership skills, and get insider access to one of the best collections of Himalayan art in the world. More -
Brooklyn
SA’s after-school classes in the arts and business prepare and inspire middle and high school youth to create arts-based enterprises. More