The Arts-Teens Model to Help Incarcerated Teens

Arts-Kids and the Slate Canyon Detention Center are collaborating to give Utah's incarcerated teens the chance to improve their life skills and self-esteem.

The Slate Canyon Detention Center in Provo is a long-term and short-term secure care center for adolescents ordered there by Utah's Juvenile Court.

The intent is to create a safe environment for the expression of feelings and the development of empathy. The center already has a philosophy of building community through the nurturing of tight-knit groups in each long-term unit over the course of the half-year youth are incarcerated. They are already aware of the benefits of incorporating experiential, hands-on art into after-school and unconstructed time.

Expressive arts projects will help teens process feelings they may not even know they have. Art becomes a liberating activity in a way not experienced through talk therapy.

Arts-Teens is seeking $6000 for the program.