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Teens are always free.

The San Diego Museum of Art offers free admission to youth ages 17 and under. Children younger than 14 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (age 18 years or older) at all times. We request one adult chaperone for every ten children under the age of 15. Youth ages 15 and older must show school ID or other proof of school enrollment.

Teen Opportunities at the Museum

Guided tours exploring art and contemporary themes are available for free daily. Tours are led by highly trained Museum docents and provide a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the art on view in the Museum alongside family and friends. See the guided tour schedule online for upcoming guided tour topics and sign up for guided tours the day of your visit at the Visitor Relations desk or Docent desk, both located near the Museum entrance. Same-day registration is required. Space is limited.

Teen Opportunities Online

SDMA Art Tutorials

Learn from anywhere with SDMA Art Tutorials, a series of instructional videos that demonstrate a new art skill, technique, or material inspired by works of art in the Museum’s permanent collection. Explore the SDMA Art Tutorials.

At-Home Art Activities

Explore at-home activities for emerging and established art students of all ages with SDMA at Play where Museum educators share art activities, crafts, writing prompts, videos, podcasts, and more inspired by the SDMA collections. Create something new with SDMA at Play.

San Diego Museum of Art Teen Council

SDMA Teen Council participants smiling and posing for the camera

The San Diego Museum of Art’s Teen Council offers high school students the opportunity to take on a collaborative role at the Museum and lend their voices to new and existing programs. Students work with Museum staff and their peers to share ideas, develop programming, and implement a Community Art Workshop with the Community Engagement department at the Museum. Meetings are held monthly via Zoom with in-person opportunities in Spring 2025.

Teen Council begins in October 2024 and continue through the end of May 2025.

For questions, email outreach@sdmart.org.

Application Form

2024-2025 School Year

The application deadline has been extended to October 11, 2024! Please submit applications by October 11, 2024, to apply. Only completed forms will be considered. 

Please turn in the Participant Waiver form with your Teen Art Council Application to outreach@sdmart.org.

Participant Waiver (Minor)

Participant Waiver (Students 18 and over)

The Facts

What are the goals of the Teen Arts Council?

  • Explore ways to use works of art from the Museum collection to activate empathy.
  • Foster creative connections to works of art.
  • Collaborate to design a hands-on activity or art-making project aligned with the Museum’s Art + Empathy strategy.
  • Share input and feedback on Museum programs.

How do I get started?

  • Send in a completed application form. Space is limited to 30 participants.
  • Once invited, attend the first meeting on October 23, 2024.