Open Forum

Dear Colleagues,

My next quest for TrendsWatch 2027 is for museums who engage youth in their planning in meaningful ways. For example, museums that:

--have designated positions on their governing board for youth representatives. (Realizing this practice depends on state law.)

--include youth representatives in long-range planning processes 

-maintain youth councils that have significant input on museum planning and decision making

As always, leads, links, contact information most welcome

Thank you for your input! 

Warmest regards from the future,

Elizabeth

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Elizabeth Merritt
VP Strategic Foresight & Founding Director, CFM
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
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Dear Elizabeth

You have a bunch of good references in my portfolio website.

https://www.cultural-inquiry.com/aboutus/portfolio

Kind regards

Jose

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Jose Antonio Gordillo Martorell PhD
CEO & Founder
Meilen
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Absolutely Elizabeth. A good way to have them on our radar.

Thank you!

Jose

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Jose Antonio Gordillo Martorell PhD
CEO & Founder
Meilen
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-11-2026 10:42 AM
From: Jose Antonio Gordillo Martorell
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Dear Elizabeth

You have a bunch of good references in my portfolio website.

https://www.cultural-inquiry.com/aboutus/portfolio

Kind regards

Jose

------------------------------
Jose Antonio Gordillo Martorell PhD
CEO & Founder
Meilen
------------------------------

Hi Elizabeth, 

My name is Felicia Knise at the North Carolina Museum of Art! I am speaking this week at the Association of Art Museum Interpretation about how are annual teen arts council (TAC) had a major part in planning, research, writing, and implementing a robust interpretive plan for one of our special exhibitions, opening next month. The TAC has been around for a long time and now looking to them more for co creation and attracting new audiences. In past, they plan programs regularly for the Museum. It's early stages but happy to speak to you more. Best, Felicia 

Felicia.knise@dncr.nc.gov 

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Felicia Knise
Director of Interpretive Strategies
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh NC
------------------------------

That sounds like an amazing group of teens you have here!

Have you thought about presenting this idea at AAM, Felicia? I am considering doing something similar with our apprenticeship program. Let me know if you'd be interested in teaming up! 

------------------------------
Laura Rose Monk
Volunteer Coordinator
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Fayetteville NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2026 07:32 AM
From: Felicia Knise
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Hi Elizabeth, 

My name is Felicia Knise at the North Carolina Museum of Art! I am speaking this week at the Association of Art Museum Interpretation about how are annual teen arts council (TAC) had a major part in planning, research, writing, and implementing a robust interpretive plan for one of our special exhibitions, opening next month. The TAC has been around for a long time and now looking to them more for co creation and attracting new audiences. In past, they plan programs regularly for the Museum. It's early stages but happy to speak to you more. Best, Felicia 

Felicia.knise@dncr.nc.gov 

------------------------------
Felicia Knise
Director of Interpretive Strategies
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh NC
------------------------------

I would love to collaborate on a session. My manager of the teen program and I were already thinking about it and happy to get another NC Museum in too!! the deadline is Monday but I was planning on doing some writing tomorrow if you wanted to shoot me an email (above). Thanks!

------------------------------
Felicia Knise
Director of Interpretive Strategies
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2026 03:23 PM
From: Laura Rose Monk
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

That sounds like an amazing group of teens you have here!

Have you thought about presenting this idea at AAM, Felicia? I am considering doing something similar with our apprenticeship program. Let me know if you'd be interested in teaming up! 

------------------------------
Laura Rose Monk
Volunteer Coordinator
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Fayetteville NC
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2026 07:32 AM
From: Felicia Knise
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Hi Elizabeth, 

My name is Felicia Knise at the North Carolina Museum of Art! I am speaking this week at the Association of Art Museum Interpretation about how are annual teen arts council (TAC) had a major part in planning, research, writing, and implementing a robust interpretive plan for one of our special exhibitions, opening next month. The TAC has been around for a long time and now looking to them more for co creation and attracting new audiences. In past, they plan programs regularly for the Museum. It's early stages but happy to speak to you more. Best, Felicia 

Felicia.knise@dncr.nc.gov 

------------------------------
Felicia Knise
Director of Interpretive Strategies
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh NC
------------------------------

Hi Elizabeth! We host a Curatorial Apprenticeship program at our museum, and we are about to be in our 5th year of doing it! 

https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/local-news-briefs/12226-students-curate-new-exhibit-at-asom-on-operation-just-cause

------------------------------
Laura Rose Monk
Volunteer Coordinator
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Fayetteville NC
------------------------------

Hello Elizabeth,

The National Museum of the Marine Corps established a Museum Teen Advisory Council where teens have the opportunity to learn about the various departments of the museum while researching, planning, and hosting programs. The Teen Advisory Council provides teens with an opportunity to take an active leadership role in shaping the museum experience for their peers. Council members serve in designated officer positions and work with the education department to develop programs, activities, and engagement opportunities designed by teens, for teens. The Teen Advisory Council is a meaningful way for teens to connect with Marine Corps history ands see the museum as a place where their voices, ideas, and contributions are valued. The teens develop leadership skills, earn volunteer credit, and have a safe space to be creative.  

nicole.lutz@usmcu.edu

------------------------------
Nicole Lutz
Education Chief
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle VA
------------------------------

Nicole, another colleague in this thread and I are thinking about putting a quick proposal together to submit to AAM for the 2027 conference in Houston. Are you interested in being a part of it with us? 

------------------------------
Felicia Knise
Director of Interpretive Strategies
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2026 09:41 AM
From: Nicole Lutz
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Hello Elizabeth,

The National Museum of the Marine Corps established a Museum Teen Advisory Council where teens have the opportunity to learn about the various departments of the museum while researching, planning, and hosting programs. The Teen Advisory Council provides teens with an opportunity to take an active leadership role in shaping the museum experience for their peers. Council members serve in designated officer positions and work with the education department to develop programs, activities, and engagement opportunities designed by teens, for teens. The Teen Advisory Council is a meaningful way for teens to connect with Marine Corps history ands see the museum as a place where their voices, ideas, and contributions are valued. The teens develop leadership skills, earn volunteer credit, and have a safe space to be creative.  

nicole.lutz@usmcu.edu

------------------------------
Nicole Lutz
Education Chief
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle VA
------------------------------

Hi Nicole! My volunteers rave about your museum! :) 

See Felicia's message above! 

------------------------------
Laura Rose Monk
Volunteer Coordinator
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Fayetteville NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2026 09:47 AM
From: Felicia Knise
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Nicole, another colleague in this thread and I are thinking about putting a quick proposal together to submit to AAM for the 2027 conference in Houston. Are you interested in being a part of it with us? 

------------------------------
Felicia Knise
Director of Interpretive Strategies
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh NC
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2026 09:41 AM
From: Nicole Lutz
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Hello Elizabeth,

The National Museum of the Marine Corps established a Museum Teen Advisory Council where teens have the opportunity to learn about the various departments of the museum while researching, planning, and hosting programs. The Teen Advisory Council provides teens with an opportunity to take an active leadership role in shaping the museum experience for their peers. Council members serve in designated officer positions and work with the education department to develop programs, activities, and engagement opportunities designed by teens, for teens. The Teen Advisory Council is a meaningful way for teens to connect with Marine Corps history ands see the museum as a place where their voices, ideas, and contributions are valued. The teens develop leadership skills, earn volunteer credit, and have a safe space to be creative.  

nicole.lutz@usmcu.edu

------------------------------
Nicole Lutz
Education Chief
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle VA
------------------------------

Hi Laura!  Thank you so much for the compliment.  We just celebrated our 8 millionth visitor to the museum since we have been open. This is an amazing museum to work for and be part of.  I need to come visit your museum! 

------------------------------
Nicole Lutz
Education Chief
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2026 12:06 PM
From: Laura Rose Monk
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Hi Nicole! My volunteers rave about your museum! :) 

See Felicia's message above! 

------------------------------
Laura Rose Monk
Volunteer Coordinator
Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Fayetteville NC
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2026 09:47 AM
From: Felicia Knise
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Nicole, another colleague in this thread and I are thinking about putting a quick proposal together to submit to AAM for the 2027 conference in Houston. Are you interested in being a part of it with us? 

------------------------------
Felicia Knise
Director of Interpretive Strategies
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh NC
------------------------------



Original Message:
Sent: 09-16-2026 09:41 AM
From: Nicole Lutz
Subject: Looking for examples of museums including youth representatives in planning

Hello Elizabeth,

The National Museum of the Marine Corps established a Museum Teen Advisory Council where teens have the opportunity to learn about the various departments of the museum while researching, planning, and hosting programs. The Teen Advisory Council provides teens with an opportunity to take an active leadership role in shaping the museum experience for their peers. Council members serve in designated officer positions and work with the education department to develop programs, activities, and engagement opportunities designed by teens, for teens. The Teen Advisory Council is a meaningful way for teens to connect with Marine Corps history ands see the museum as a place where their voices, ideas, and contributions are valued. The teens develop leadership skills, earn volunteer credit, and have a safe space to be creative.  

nicole.lutz@usmcu.edu

------------------------------
Nicole Lutz
Education Chief
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle VA
------------------------------

Good morning Elizabeth and other interested colleagues!

I manage Phipps Conservatory's Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC), a climate action program for youth ages 16-23 who have an interest in environmental justice, nature, and sustainability. The youth on our committee plan and host events at the conservatory, with some of their most successful being an annual sustainable art and fashion show, their Youth Eco-Action Showcase, Family Pollinator Day to teach families about native pollinators, and symposia for students to learn about green careers and ways to get involved in environmental action. I've been overseeing this program since it started in 2021, and I'd be happy to share any information about it with interested folks! If anyone is interested in starting a youth group, I have a lot of resources that I'm happy to share. 

Additionally, if you have a youth group or are interested in starting one, we have a network of youth groups in cultural institutions called the Climate Toolkit Youth Network (CTYN). It's a free network to support youth and teens who are interested in bringing climate action, sustainability, and the environment into the work that they are doing for your org, and we offer staff support for this, as well. We need people from every sector to care about the environment, and our goal is to support it alongside the incredible impacts you're already having on the youth in your programs! The only "ask" is that we create a profile for your program on our webpage so others can see the important work you're doing. There are no requirements or involvement expectations of programs in the network, and you can engage as much or as little as desired. We simply aim to create a space for community, knowledge and opportunity sharing, and support for youth and staff between similar programs. I invite anyone who has a youth group to check out the network, create a profile, and please reach out to me with any questions!

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Jennifer Torrance
Youth Climate Advocacy Coordinator
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh PA
jtorrance@phipps.conservatory.org
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