Summer Teen Art Project 2025

MAM’s Summer Teen Art Project (TAP) is an immersive Arts and Leadership Program designed for high school students to foster community connections, develop artistic and leadership skills, and amplify teen voices in a safe and inclusive environment. This summer, teens will collaborate with professional artist Johana Laporte under the mentorship of Janaína Vieira-Marques, a MAM museum educator, artist, and public art specialist. Together, they will create a collaborative mixed-media artwork to be featured on a 14’x10’ exterior mural at the Adventure Cycling Association and reproduced as 500 posters for community distribution.

Exploring Keystone Species & Ecosystems

The 2025 TAP theme highlights the importance of three keystone species—the Bison, the Beaver, and the Prairie Dog—and their essential roles in maintaining Montana’s natural ecosystems. Inspired by the works of exhibiting artists Jason Elliott Clark (printmaker) and Stephen Hunt (photographer), participants will explore the interconnectedness of these species and their impact on local landscapes. This initiative encourages teens to consider environmental management, conservation, and the historical and cultural significance of these animals.

Art, Learning & Collaboration

During the program, participants will engage in research, examine artworks, and attend guest speaker sessions featuring experts such as biologist Torrey Ritter, beaver specialist Elissa Chott, ecologist Rob Roberts, and Indigenous artists Jason Elliott Clark and Stephen Hunt. These insights will inform their creative process, culminating in a final collaborative mural and poster series.

The posters, each measuring 24”x30”, will include a QR code linking to project details, funders, and supporters. Distributed to local schools, businesses, and city organizations, these posters will raise awareness about ecological balance and the role of keystone species in sustaining healthy environments. MAM will frame select posters for long-term display in downtown Missoula.

Who Can Participate?

Up to 20 high school students (ages 13-18) will participate in this first-come, first-served program. Teens will be recruited from MAM’s Teen Artist Project and Teen Open Studio, local high schools, surrounding towns, the Flathead Nation, and UM’s TRIO Upward Bound program. To ensure commitment and engagement, applicants will complete a short form answering: “Why do you want to do TAP?”

Community Celebration & Unveiling

At the end of the summer, the community will come together for the public unveiling of the TAP mural. This celebration will feature food, drinks, and an opportunity to hear from TAP participants, project funders, and City of Missoula representatives, reinforcing the impact of youth-driven public art. 

Register below and complete the brief application