Albuquerque Museum Presents "Focus on Youth"

Focus on Youth, an annual juried exhibition of photographs and films created by high school students from the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), is on view now through June 2 at the Albuquerque Museum. The exhibition includes nearly 100 photographs and short films, reflecting mastery across a range of techniques including silver print, digital, and special techniques in photography, art books, and digital film.

Focus on Youth brings the ideas and perspectives of Albuquerque’s next generation into the public eye and gives viewers a window into the minds of today’s young adults. APS Fine Arts classes emphasize self-expression as well as skill-building and creative problem solving. This exhibition gives students a special opportunity to exhibit their work in the professional context of a museum.

The selection for artworks featured in Focus on Youth is done by a juried process. APS art teachers submit students’ work, which is reviewed by a jury of professional photographers and filmmakers. Selected works are matted and framed by a team of art teachers and students, before being transported to the museum where the staff designs and installs the exhibition. Focus on Youth is part of a multi-decade partnership between the APS Fine Arts Department and Albuquerque Museum to highlight the creativity of youth photographers and filmmakers.

"Our city is home to a wealth of creative spirit, and these talented young artists reflect that,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “By providing this platform, we are encouraging them to pursue their vision, and realize their potential to make the world, and the city, a better place.”

“Albuquerque Museum is proud to be a partner in elevating the works of student artists to the Museum where they can be viewed and enjoyed by a wider community.” says Elizabeth Becker, curator of education at Albuquerque Museum. “The exhibition is a platform for showcasing the creativity and experimentation of youth artists in our community.” 

"The student work that you will see in Albuquerque Museum is full of compelling stories and beautiful imagery,” said Karen Mazur, art teacher at Albuquerque High School. “So much imagination and heart went into these pieces that viewers will come away feeling a little bit more optimistic about our shared future.... For students to see their work professionally framed and on museum walls has such an impact. Many students have not even visited the museum and to see their own work or that of their friends on the wall goes a long way toward helping them understand that museums are for everybody, that their voices matter, and that working in the arts is an actual vocation.”