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Teen Creative Agency | Zine Fest for Families

December 14, 202411:00 am - 3:00 pm

Free for youth and families

People standing and sitting at long tables filled with zines

TCA Zinefest, December 19, 2023. Photo: Vivian Zamora.

About the Event

Join us for music, free snacks, free zines, and more!  

The Teen Creative Agency at the MCA is celebrating 12 years (and counting) of DIY publications by teens! This event showcases the original artwork, activism, and social practice of Chicago-area youth, as captured in zine form.

This year TCA designed and created a zine centered on the theme “How To” art, offering step-by-step guides to various artistic techniques like painting, drawing, or digital creation. Beyond the instructional content, additional elements such as artist interviews, personal stories, or guidance were incorporated to enrich the reader’s art experience. 

TCA highlights teen ideas and perspectives in the museum space. Its members gather at the MCA from all over the Chicagoland area to collaboratively create public responses to relevant contemporary issues. In doing so, they build relationships alongside other cultural institutions, organizations, and professionals in Chicago’s vibrant art scene.

Event Schedule

Workshops + Events

11–11:15 am | Opening Remarks

12–12:45 pm | Workshop 1 – Learning Studios

1–1:45 pm | Workshop 2 – Learning Studios

2–2:45 pm | Workshop 3 – Learning Studios

2:45–3 pm | Closing Remarks

Musical Performances

12–1 pm | Performance 1

1:30–2:30 pm | Performance 2

Activations

12:30–2:30 pm | Activations 1 + 2

 

This event is curated and produced by members of the Teen Creative Agency—a group of young people ages 15 to 19 from all over the Chicagoland area who meet weekly at the museum to view and engage with contemporary artists and their work, guided by Lead Artists Olive Stefanski and Miguel Limon. TCA is assisted by Ahmad Bracey, Manager of School, Youth, and Communities.  

Funding

Generous support for the Teen Creative Agency is provided by the Dr. Scholl Foundation and Peoples Gas Community Fund. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Lead support for Learning programs at the MCA is provided by Jana and Bernardo Hees.

Major support is provided by Carol Prins and John Hart/The Jessica Fund.

Additional generous support is provided by the Friends of Edwin A. Bergman Fund, the Hulda B. & Maurice L. Rothschild Foundation, Diane Kahan, The Marshall Frankel Foundation, and The William Randolph Hearst Foundations.

Peoples Gas Community Fund logo