The Museum is currently accepting applications for Teen BMA, our program for students who will be entering or attending high school in the 2013-14 school year. Teen BMA members meet twice a month after school and volunteer for special projects on the weekends. Applications can be found on our website and will be accepted through June 30, 2013. Applicants will be interviewed during the month of July and, if accepted, will attend a mandatory orientation session in August. Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Inspired by Smith Magazine’s “Six Word Memoirs” the BMA asks visiting artists, lecturers, and guests to answer the question, “Why the Birmingham Museum of Art?” Their challenge is to distill their thoughts, impressions, experience, or involvement with the BMA into six words. As in the case of the Smith books and web site, it can be six words, a six-word sentence, or a combination.

We asked members of Teen BMA for their “Six Words” about BMA:

Preserve the past and the future
Maddie Seidel

I come here to be inspired
Wendi Lu

Adventurous, exciting, colorful, modern, multicultural, informational
Katie Render

Unique, fun, diverse, creative, entertaining, cultural
Kyndall Hinton

Teen BMA members worked with yarn “bomber” artist Donna Okoro to develop an installation for Bart’s ArtVenture. The students chose to continue the celebration of Chinese New Year with an installation that will feature all the signs of the Chinese Zodiac and will also include Bart the Art Bat . Each year, Teen BMA is tasked with creating a collaborative art project. The installation will be on display through late April 2013.

Teen BMA members for the 2012-2013 school year are:

Michael Allen, Clay-Chalkville High School
Kareem El-Kattan, Vestavia Hills High School
Nicole Gallups, Hewitt-Trussville High School
Lauryn Hill, The Altamont School
Kyndall Hinton, Hewitt-Trussville High School
Abby Jones, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School
Emmie Leith, homeschool
Izzy Looney, Vestavia Hills High School
Wendi Lu, Vestavia Hills High School
Catherine Luke, The Altamont School
Sidney Nomberg, The Altamont School
Katie Render, Hoover High School
Krystalyn Robinson, Alabama School of Fine Arts
Maddie Seidel, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate High School
Miaya Webster, Alabama School of Fine Arts

The program will continue to provide art-minded teens with exclusive access to Museum staff and operations, opportunities to learn from professional artists, and hands-on volunteer experience. The yearlong program includes training on the collection, visitor interaction, and manning the Bart’s Art Cart art activities each weekend.

We are always looking for teen volunteers to help out with family programs and community events. Want more information? Contact Kristen Greenwood at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 205.254.2856.

Please click on the link below to download an application for the 2013-14 school year!