“Teen Perspectives: Yesterday and Today” invites local teens to examine healing, self-expression, and community care through art
Minneapolis—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has teamed up again with Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota (Blue Cross) for a community-driven initiative designed to bring people together and inspire reflection through the powerful medium of art. As part of the newly launched Art for Our Future collaboration, the 2026 Teen Perspectives program explores the theme “Teen Perspectives: Yesterday and Today,” examining the historical and present-day connections between mental and behavioral health, identity, and creativity.
This year’s program places a deeper emphasis on mental health and wellness, encouraging teens to reflect on how creative expression can serve as a tool for healing, storytelling, and community care. Participants, selected through an application process and including both current high school students and emerging young artists, engage in a series of professional artist-led workshops at the museum focused on idea development, art therapy–based directives, material exploration, and collaborative artmaking.
Returning facilitator Lissa Karpeh leads art therapy directives throughout the sessions, with expanded focus on wellness practices. An exciting new roster of teaching artists, including Alexandra Beaumont, Shea Maze, and Baki Baki Baki Porter, helps mentor students, allowing for more in-depth creative time. Together, students and artists co-vision and co-create original works that reflect personal and collective perspectives on mental and behavioral health.
Over seven consecutive Saturdays in February and March, participants immersed themselves in studio work and gallery experiences at Mia, incorporating structured “slow looking” practices designed to foster reflection and a sense of wonder, an approach increasingly supported by research linking experiences of awe with improved mental and physical health.
The program culminates in the “Teen Perspectives: Yesterday and Today” exhibition at Mia, open May 9–July, 2026, in the Community Commons Gallery, showcasing student artwork in a public gallery setting.
“Mia is proud to continue our collaboration with Blue Cross and provide space for teens to explore how art intersects with identity and well-being,” said Virajita Singh, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. “Art holds a unique power. It allows young people to process experiences, share their stories, and see themselves reflected in new ways, always, and particularly in these unsettling times. When we slow down and truly look at art and make art, we experience connection, curiosity, and healing.”
“The Minnesota Student Survey reported that more than 44 percent of students in grades 8, 9, and 11 expressed that they are going through mental distress. So now more than ever, it is vital we invest in youth-centered programming that prioritizes adolescent mental and behavioral health,” said Bukata Hayes, chief community health officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “This unique collaboration empowers young people to find their voice and reflect on mental health through art as a medium for storytelling. It demonstrates how creative engagement can play a meaningful role in supporting overall well-being, serving as a catalyst to positively improve health outcomes.”
New in 2026, the partnership expands beyond the Teen Perspectives exhibition to further elevate youth voices and deepen the connection between art and well-being. This includes adding a Storyteller & Content Creator for Youth Arts & Wellness role, with filmmaker and animator Roman Zych joining the team to lead video-first storytelling that documents Teen Perspectives and other youth-centered programs while amplifying their impact across Mia’s platforms. Mia also facilitated three focus groups with teens from around the Twin Cities to develop a “Summer Teen Takeover,” an event focused on mental and behavioral health, creative expression, and community engagement. The event will amplify conversations around art as a tool for healing.
In addition, Mia launched a yearlong wellness program inside and outside of its galleries, featuring experiences such as yoga, meditation, and reflective art engagement designed to promote mindfulness and overall well-being. Together, these expanded efforts underscore a shared commitment to advancing youth empowerment and community health through the arts.
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About Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota
For more than 90 years, Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota has supported our members by ensuring access to high-quality care at an affordable price. Our 3 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.
General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.
For more information, call 1-612-870-3000 or visit artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.