Meet the Teens!

The Kemper Teen Arts Council is a youth development program for Kansas City-area teens, in both Kansas and Missouri. A competitively selected group of up to fifteen teen leaders with a shared passion for the arts work with Museum Education staff to develop and manage teen programs for Kemper Museum. Over the course of the year, based on the evolution of the group, they create teen-focused events, attend workshops with local artists, participate in projects related to museum exhibitions, take part in leadership building opportunities, and plan collaborative community projects.

Teen Arts Council Members!

Teen Arts Council Members!

  • L Abbott

    SENIOR - Lee’s Summit High School

    “Hey my name is L! This is my 3rd year on the council, I am working towards going to school for sculpture, and it’s my 4th year on my school’s speech and debate team!”

  • Rishabh Barve

    SENIOR - Blue Valley West High School

    “My name is Rishabh Barve! I used to think of art as simply putting pen to paper. Wow, was I wrong. The Kemper opened my eyes to the most unexpected forms of art I’d never have considered–and that’s what my artist statement reflects about me: I’m no longer confining myself to a single definition of what art is. I hope to let that concept of art continuously evolve. Please, share in that vision with me! Happy creating.”

  • Daniel Cho

    SENIOR - Blue Valley Northwest High School

    “Hi, everyone! I'm Daniel, a senior at BVNW, and this is my second year on the council! I enjoy painting, crocheting, and playing the harp. In my free time, I am probably scrolling on pinterest and hanging out with friends. In the future, I hope to major in neuroscience as I am interested in how art, from music to visual arts, affects the brain. I am excited to see what events we plan this year!”

  • Sophy Marks

    SENIOR - Oak Park High School

  • Shireen Sadeghi

    JUNIOR - Sumner Academy

    “Hello!! My name is Shireen and I'm a current Junior at Sumner Academy as well as a returning member of the TAC! During my free time I love to paint, crochet, and binge reality TV. I'm inspired by contemporary art and love frequenting different museums.”

  • Arielle Li

    JUNIOR - Olathe North High School

    “Hello! My name is Arielle Li and I'm a Junior at Olathe North. This is my first year on the council and I am so excited to be part of it! Outside of the TAC, I am a dancer, writer, and STEM enthusiast. The Kemper Museum is amazing and I can't wait for all the great experiences to come!”

  • Laci Brown

    SOPHOMORE - Lee’s Summit North High School

  • Paige Bean

    JUNIOR - Shawnee Mission East

    “Hey! My name is Paige Bean and I am a junior at Shawnee Mission East. Within school I am involved in student council as our student body vice president & one of the assistant photo editors on our newspaper. This is my first year on the TAC and I cannot wait to start planning events & working with the museum space!”

  • Sherlyn Maldonado

    SENIOR - Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences

    “I’m Sherlyn and I’m a senior and first year member on the TAC. I truly believe art is the solution to everything. I love music, guitar, drawing, and comics and plan on becoming an illustrator!!!!”

  • Elaina Gibson

    SENIOR - Bishop Miege High School

    “Hello!! My name is Elaina Gibson and I am a senior at Bishop Miege. I love cats, old movies, writing for my school’s newspaper, reading, and knitting. This is my first year on the council and am so excited to make friends and share my passion for the arts!”

  • Kayleeann Milbourn

    SENIOR - Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences

    “Hi, my name is Kayleeann! I'm a senior at Sumner Academy and a first year member on the council. I enjoy playing several instruments, participating in speech and debate, and creating art. I work with just about every medium, and history and music are my main inspirations. I hope to work in the film or music industry one day.”

  • Sarah Fernandez

    SOPHOMORE - Lee’s Summit High School

    “Hi, hello! My name is Sarah, I’m a sophomore at Lee’s Summit High School. This is my first year on the Teen Arts Council. I’m currently involved in Spanish Club, ensemble and costume crew for my school’s musical, and Art Club! I also enjoy theatre, poetry, activism, all sorts of art, and listening to music.”

  • Gré Adams

    SOPHOMORE - Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts

    “Hi, I'm Gré (they/them.) I knit and crochet, I also draw and paint. When I'm not doing art, I'm probably reading, or watching doctor who.”

  • Malea Brewington

    JUNIOR - Holden High School

    “I’m very passionate about art, my favorite mediums to work in are acrylic paint and any sort of pencil sketching. I also love all types of music, but my favorite genres are metalcore and symphonic metal. Music has always been a huge inspiration for me! I’m very interested in politics and government, and how art and art activism have impacted government and legislation.”

  • Molly P. Watts

    JUNIOR - Staley High School

    Hi, I'm Molly! I'm a current junior at Staley High School, and this is my first year in the TAC! In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, reading, watching baking shows, and cuddling with my cat. My favorite piece at Kemper is Dog ,1966, by Wayne Thiebaud”

The Kemper Teen Arts Council is made possible through the generosity of Stan Bushman and Ann Canfield, Charles Helzberg and Sandra Baer, along with Erica and Lorin Crenshaw, JE Dunn Construction, Tom and Susie Corbin, Richard Hamilton, and Jane and Brad Kleindl. We are also grateful to the members of Kemper Museum whose support allows all of our educational programs to be always free of charge.