Learn. Explore. Advise. Discover.
M.LiT is a free, 12-week career-development and leadership-training program for teens. Participants explore museum careers and serve as advisors in the development of other teen programs at VMFA. With the help of guest lecturers and VMFA staff, teens learn team building, research, and other skills that prepare them for employment. They also network with peers, mentors, and museum professionals.
Participating students (grades 8 — 12) will gain a strong appreciation of the visual arts, in relation to history and culture Workshops are held on Thursday evenings beginning in early October and run through the end of January. Students have the opportunity to meet museum professionals, discover how to recognize the merits of others’ works, build healthy and lasting relationships with peers and instructors, and develop an understanding of the function of art and museums in the community and society. This leadership program is taught through hands-on workshops, insightful lectures, and engaging discussions.
Qualifications & Requirements for Applying:
Applicants must be in grades 8 – 12 and are accepted based on writing abilities, qualifying experience, completeness of application, superior teacher recommendations, and/or regional demographics. This is a demanding and competitive program. Please ensure that you are submitting the supplemental material that best represents you and that you are able to commit to the program schedule and expectations fully.
To successfully complete this program, M.LiT students must fulfill the following:
- 28 hours of training or workshops
- 5 – 10 hours of homework and readings
- 22 hours of work on a special VMFA project
- 20 hours of summer teacher assistantships for VMFA’s Summer Art Adventures camps or Early Childhood Education Camps
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Leadership Activities
M.LiT students will engage in the following leadership activities:
- Participate in and actively support and promote VMFA teen initiatives and programs within their own and the Richmond metropolitan community.
- Advise VMFA on the development of teen programs, exhibitions, and incentives.
- Attend and participate in lectures, discussion groups, and leadership training.
- Serve as volunteers through teacher assistantships and community programs.
- Explore the professional roles and functions of museum- and art-related careers.
Incentives and Benefits
- Free and fun program with students who have similar interests
- Free student-memberships to VMFA will be given to students at Orientation.
- All VMFA members receive:
- Free tickets and previews of special exhibitions
- Invitations to special members-only events
- Free parking in the VMFA Parking Deck
- 10% discount in the VMFA Shop, Amuse Restaurant, and Best Café
- Discounts on classes, programs, and ticketed events
- Member News e-communications.
Other incentives:
- Earn 70+ hours of art-related community service
- Work with museum professionals
- Experience behind-the-scenes tours
- Earn a VMFA Museum Leaders in Training certificate
Additional Opportunities
Teen Ternships
A summer Teen Ternship is a paid internship position with the VMFA Education department, open to M.LiT students. The Teen Tern will gain experience working in the museum and assist program coordinators with special activities relating to teen programming at VMFA.
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Summer Assistantships
Assistantships
What is a Summer Assistantship? As part of the Museum Leaders in Training program, you are required to assist with one Summer Art Adventures camp or an Early Child Curiosity camp. VMFA’s Summer Art Adventures series is an eight-week studio arts program, running through the summer months and is designed for children ages 5-12. This quality, educational program consists of more than 38 camps, plus supervision between camps, known as Connect-a-Camp.
Requirements: MLiT participants are responsible for signing up and assisting with one of the Summer Art Adventure Camps, running from Monday – Friday, and totaling 20 hours over the course of the camp. Upon signing up for one of these camps, you MUST attend and complete the assignment. In preparation for assisting with your selected camp, you are required to attend an orientation in which you will meet the Youth & Family Studio Programs’ coordinators and interns. During this orientation, you will become familiar with the studios and will learn the protocols and procedures for assisting with camps and working with children.
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