ArtTEK for Teens is a program of River Art Works. Their mission is to provide a bridge between the arts and technology, fulfilling Westmoreland County’s need to address STEAM introduction to high school art students. ArtTEK for Teens creates interesting and engaging workshops and classes that stimulate the imagination of budding artists.

ArtTEK for Teens workshops are high school level summer and after-school programs focused on 3D printing, vector program usage, animatronics, hologram basics, digital, drone art, and other visual arts impacted by modern technology and STEAM. They are designed to lead underserved teens to scholarship opportunities and higher education entrances for which they are not currently eligible.

The inspiration for ArtTEK for Teens emerged from conversations with Westmoreland County school districts, teachers, principals, district supervisors, and VoTech school leaders. Educators consistently said that they did not have the funds nor teaching time to research and implement programs that could bridge the gap between the creative arts and technology. Today, ArtTEK for Teens’ works with five school districts, whose student populations range in poverty levels from 48% to 70%.

ArtTEK for Teens offers workshops and programming free of charge to students, opening paths to higher education acceptance and financial aid.