GENEXT is the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia’s (MCA) flagship program for high-school aged young people, between 12 to 18, attracting over 30,000 attendances since its first event in 2005. Programmed by the MCA’s Youth Committee, GENEXT offers free access to exhibitions, as well as live music, creative workshops and social activities. It takes place 4 times a year, after-hours on Sunday nights.
Throughout 2018, the MCA has worked with the research agency Patternmakers to evaluate the impact of the program. The research study, which is framed around the question, “How does participation in GENEXT impact individuals in real time and later in life?”, entailed interviews, focus groups and an online survey.
The survey probed the attitudes and behaviours of young people who had participated in GENEXT, and those who hadn’t, to begin to research the impact of the program relative to other activities at the MCA.
The upcoming GENEXT: Shaun Gladwell is on 29 September, 6-9pm. Free but bookings essential.
