ABSTRACT
The yellow buses parked outside a museum are a familiar sight, but they reflect more the past of museum education than the future. Programs for youth characterized by long-term involvement and highly personal relationships among museum staff, youth, and members of the community are unfolding as museum professionals respond to the challenges of Museums for a New Century and Excellence and Equity. At the Brooklyn Children's Museum, visitation by children and adolescents unaccompanied by adults has been welcomed and encouraged for more than a decade. Time and the personal relationships that can only develop over the long term are the key factors to the success of Museum Team. Young people, particularly those in urban settings, need institutions willing to support their development in the long-term. The best long-term youth programs outline clearly what is expected of both youth and staff. They display consistency while understanding the need for flexibility.
