The Art Effect at the Trolley Barn Gallery is the first youth-led gallery in the Hudson Valley, NY. Our mission is to train youth as leaders who catalyze the community through the arts and re-energize downtown Poughkeepsie. The iconic Poughkeepsie Trolley Barn puts youth in the drivers seat of this incredible space, empowering them to engage community members and visitors in transformative arts experiences that they curate along side established professionals.

In addition to youth-curated, international juried exhibitions, The Trolley Barn Gallery is home to a unique blend of workforce programming that brings together youth and established art professionals to present impactful exhibitions and festivals to engage our neighborhood and acquaint youth with curatorial and exhibitions practices.

The Trolley Barn Gallery hosts many youth-led events and exhibitions throughout the year. Click here to see the current exhibitions and visit the calendar for more upcoming events.

Reel Exposure International Teen Film and Photography Festival

May 5-7, 2023 Screening & Festival at the Trolley Barn Gallery

The Art Effect’s annual Reel Exposure International Teen Film and Photography Festival in Poughkeepsie, NY is open for submissions and celebrating its 10th year!

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Is It Me? International Juried Exhibition

As we age we change both externally and internally; we transform and metamorphosis. We inevitably ask ourselves: “Is this who I am now?

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2296

Submissions

7

Countries

14

Youth Curators

What We Are Up To

With support of the National Endowment for the Arts, Our Town program, The Art Effect at the Trolley Barn serves as an anchor arts institution in downtown Poughkeepsie, NY. The Youth Arts Empowerment Zone celebrates core tenets of creative entrepreneurship, youth leadership, and innovative public art in a series of two PKX Arts Festivals in 2022 and 2023. Click Here To Learn More

Reel Exposure International Teen Film and Photography Festival

Reel Exposure International Teen Film and Photography Festival

May 5-7, 2023 Screening & Festival at the Trolley Barn Gallery The Art Effect’s annual Reel Exposure International Teen Film and Photography Festival in Poughkeepsie, NY is open for submissions and celebrating its 10th year!…

Is It Me? International Juried Exhibition

Is It Me? International Juried Exhibition

As we age we change both externally and internally; we transform and metamorphosis. We inevitably ask ourselves: “Is this who I am now? Who was I before? Is this me?” We find beauty in the…

Senior Project Exhibition 2023

Senior Project Exhibition 2023

Senior Project is the capstone of The Art Effect’s portfolio development programming and is the most rigorous course currently offered at the Art Institute. Modeled after a senior thesis college course, students work on a…

Join the Trolley Barn Gallery Youth Curatorial Team: Spring 2023

Join the Trolley Barn Gallery Youth Curatorial Team: Spring 2023

Apply today! Applications close January 27. Want to call the shots on the next big arts exhibition in Poughkeepsie? Ever wonder how galleries or museums choose what’s on the walls? What even IS a curator?…

Senior Project Student Feature: Fiona Shanahan

Senior Project Student Feature: Fiona Shanahan

Featuring Fiona Shanahan, a Senior Project Student. “These past few years I’ve been diving deep into concepts that scare me and emotions that I find difficult to describe. Examples of such things would include my…

Senior Project Student Feature: Celia Drury

Senior Project Student Feature: Celia Drury

Featuring Celia Drury, a Senior Project Student. “My theme is memories. In my pieces, these memories range from literal to abstract, from youth to my present state. When I’m able to put my memories down…

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