The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho continues to make waves in Idaho Falls.
First, it was the new “Art & the Animal” exhibit, and now, the museum is introducing new Youth Group Nights to help give teens a resource for learning and inspiration.
Amy Thompson is the development director at the museum. She says the museum has an “untapped opportunity” of having events targeted toward the many youth groups in the area, and the museum aims to make the youth group nights “interesting and enriching.”
“Our teen program, we call it ‘Teens at TAM,’ is being trained to give tours,” Thompson said. “I think it will be interesting to have groups of teens led by teens experiencing the current exhibits.”
Inspiration for the new youth nights came from two main sources.
“Part of it is that we have this teen program and we’re always talking about how we engage that demographic,” Thompson said. “I also happen to be in the young women’s presidency in our church and we’re always looking for something we can bring the youth to that’s really enriching that’s not just another night of volleyball in the gym.”
Thompson says the youth nights aren’t limited to just church groups; school clubs, sports teams and others are encouraged to attend and take part in the museum’s resources.
Group nights include several activities, including a museum tour, writing a poem and sometimes charades.
The youth’s favorite part of the group nights, though, is the grand finale, which is the hands-on art project.
“I think everyone really loves doing the hands-on art,” Thompson said. “Being able to express yourself and get your hands dirty and get into some sort of project is really satisfying. I think that’s the thing people really take away and enjoy.”
Thompson says the main goal of Youth Group Nights is to reach as many youth as possible to let them know the museum exists as a resource.
“We are a community museum, and we want people to feel like this is their museum,” Thompson said. “It’s a place they can go to for inspiration, reflection, solitude or comradery. Bring your friends or just come all by yourself and just have a quiet afternoon.”
The first Youth Group Night is Tuesday, Nov. 18 with two time slots from 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Tickets are $2 per youth. For more information on additional dates and times, visit the museum’s website.