Teen Portrait Competition

Inspired by the museum’s triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, the 2025 Teen Portrait Competition is open to students between the ages of 13 and 17 residing in the U.S. and its territories. Two winners will be chosen: one in the 13- to 15-year-old category and one in the 16- to 17-year-old category. The two winning portraits will be displayed in the museum outside The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today exhibition. The portraits by the winners and finalists will be featured on the National Portrait Gallery’s website.

The submission window has closed. Stay tuned for the winners of the 2025 Teen Portrait Competition here.

Check out the online exhibition of 2022's winners and finalists

For Teens, By Teens

Teen Pop-ups

Inspired by our collection and current exhibitions, teen pop-ups are unique events that are intended to activate the National Portrait Gallery for teen audiences. These events are an opportunity for members of the Teen Museum Council to develop their ideas and create programs that will address the interests and needs of the next generation of museum visitors. Events vary widely and may be intended for parents, educators, families or teens independently.

Teen Museum Council

The National Portrait Gallery invites you to join its Teen Museum Council. Teen Museum Council is an intensive program for D.C.-area teens (grades 9–12) who are interested in developing leadership skills, learning about themselves through portraiture and art and making the Portrait Gallery an engaging place for teenagers. Teen Museum Council, also known as TMC, is a program for teens by teens to foster more interest in museums and create a community for local teens. 

TMC members have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities. These include creating teen-centered events and participating in workshops and training sessions with museum professionals. In the process, they will gain experience at the museum while developing creative and critical thinking skills. Teen Museum Council meets once a week during the school year and requires a year-long commitment.

The application for the 24-25 Teen Museum Council has closed. Please check back in the spring for applying to the 25-26 Council.