NEW YORK, NY.- Frieze Teens is a key component in the ongoing Frieze Education program, supported by Deutsche Bank for the fourth consecutive year.

Through the Frieze Teens program and onsite programming for school groups visiting Frieze New York, Frieze Education reaches hundreds of students in the region annually.

The Frieze Teens program launched this fall for the fourth year, bringing together a group of New York City-area high school students who, throughout the school year, are exposed to different careers within the contemporary art world through a combination of studio visits and professional workshops.

The 2017 Frieze Teens learn about the inner workings of the contemporary art world through visits with leaders in the field including artists Nicole Eisenman, Caroline Larsen and Jean Shin; trips to major exhibitions at city museums including The MET Breuer and the New Museum; and participation in events such as Pioneer Works’ Alternative Art School Fair. Students observe how individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and interests have built careers as creative professionals, gaining a nuanced understanding of a life in the arts– including learning how an artist’s studio is run and the role of a gallerist in the production, exhibition, and sale of artworks. Frieze Teens also develop a guide to Frieze New York for their peers visiting the fair, and will use their inside knowledge to lead tours for the school groups that visit the fair each year.

“The program is a terrific opportunity for young people to find inspiration for a future working in the visual arts. We are thrilled to have a new group of bright, engaged Frieze Teens working with us through the school year and translating their findings for their peers,” noted Molly McIver (Head of Operations, Frieze Fairs). “The Frieze Teens tours of the fair are always really interesting and enjoyable, and give us a great insight into what the next generation of arts professionals find inspiring as they encounter art, artists and institutions within their city and from across the world.”

Each year, high school teachers from throughout the New York City region nominate a select group of high school students who show promise and interest in the arts for the Frieze Teens program, which provides opportunities for learning and professional development, as well as special access to the workings of the larger field. This year’s cohort of Teens, a group of artists and poets, are students ranging from 16 to 18 years old. The Frieze Teens program comprises two main components:

• Regular Workshops: For the Frieze Teens program, Frieze mounts weekly workshops throughout the school year that introduce the participating high school students to artists, curators, critics, gallerists, designers, and arts professionals from across the contemporary art world. While each workshop is distinct, all are shaped as informal opportunities for students to look behindthe-scenes of professional aspects of the art world, with student questions and conversations as the fundamental elements to each visit. Through the dynamic program and student-led engagement with professionals, students gain a strong understanding of how they may one day pursue careers in the art world themselves. Past years’ programs have included workshops with leading art world figures and organizations such as artists Urs Fischer and Julie Mehretu, Triple Canopy magazine, Brooklyn-based gallery Cleopatra’s, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and Material for the Arts.

• School Groups & Young Person’s Guide to the Fair: Frieze Education hosts an expansive program for public school groups visiting the fair from local neighborhoods, with a focus on children from neighborhoods adjacent to Randall’s Island, including East Harlem and the South Bronx. The Frieze Teens lead the student group tours and also create a free interactive guide, The Frieze Young Person’s Guide to the Fair, a resource for all youth visiting Frieze New York.

As the Frieze Teens describe the program, the in-depth access to artists and professionals who have found success in the art world helps them to envision a future career path and explain their choices to follow their passion in college and beyond. The program opens up a space for active questioning and creates a supportive community to learn more about themselves, their creative path, and their vision for their own futures.

Taking place in May 2017, Frieze New York is sponsored by global lead partner Deutsche Bank for the sixth consecutive year.