Voices & Vibes Festival at Woodruff aims to put fine arts on teen wavelength

Many arts leaders look at their aging audiences and worry who will be their patrons and subscribers of tomorrow. Meanwhile, teenagers, many of whose schools have trimmed arts education, are simply looking for something fun to do.

Turning under-engaged teens into budding fine arts aficionados is the impetus behind the Wells Fargo ArtsVibe Teen Program. The five-year, $2 million undertaking was launched last summer by the financial services company in partnership with the Woodruff Arts Center’s four divisions (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum and Young Audiences).

ArtsVibe’s biggest event to date, the Voices & Vibes Teen Festival, rolls out Friday night and Saturday at the Midtown arts center. More than 3,000 teens are expected to participate.

The festival kicks off with “Teen Voices,” a showcase in Symphony Hall of emerging metro talent in acting, singing, dance, spoken word and classical and contemporary music.

Then on Saturday, the entire Woodruff complex will transform into a “teen zone of creativity.” Students can check out “Teen Vibes” workshops and performances, such as ones on body percussion and stage combat, tour the High Museum of Art’s “Frida & Diego” exhibit, tune in to live music, kick it out at a dance party and more.

Both days’ events are free, and even parents interested in braving this teen takeover of the Woodruff are invited.

“Teenagers always want something to do. They’re always looking for the next cool thing to try,” ArtsVibe coordinator Kaitlin Gress said. “We thought that creating a festival for them, especially one that’s free, might be a really good chance to bring them through the doors, have them check out the Woodruff Arts Center, get them familiar with the place.”

At 23 and in her first full-time job since graduating from Indiana’s University of Evansville last year, Gress might be in a better position than more experienced arts administrators to know how to reach out to teens (social media such as Twitter and an ad on the Internet radio site Pandora have garnered strong responses) and program for them.

In these matters and in generally planning how to make the Woodruff's glossy surroundings a little less imposing to young first-time visitors, she's been advised by a 50-member Teen Council.

“Once you’re an adult, you kind of know what you like, even if there’s always a chance to try something new,” Gress said. “But teens are still exploring. They’re willing to (make) art for the first time or pick up an instrument for the first time.”

Gress said it’s important that teens know that they’re not being judged when they do try new things. “I tell the teenagers that we’re just excited that you’re coming in and trying something new,” she said. “Creating an environment that’s really welcoming like that, teens really appreciate.”

Anticipating that the audience will grow each year, Wells Fargo and the Woodruff divisions intend to make the Voices & Vibes Teen Festival an annual celebration.