Teen Arts + Tech Program

At WMCAT, you’re an artist. Whether you’re glazing ceramics, capturing a photo, mixing a beat, designing a mural, shooting a video, or sewing a runway-ready look, the afterschool Teen Arts + Tech Program provides the space, industry-quality supplies and equipment, mentorship from local professional artists, and community connections needed for you to explore your creativity while building new skills and relationships.

And it’s all tuition-free. If you’re in grades 9–12 in Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS), then we have a spot just for you! We can’t wait to see what we’ll create together.

ENROLL TODAY

WHO – Grand Rapids Public Schools students in grades 9–12.
WHERE – West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology, 614 First St NW #300 (Third Floor), Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
WHEN – After school, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. weekly; day(s) of week depend(s) on studio selection.

What to Expect

Click on the sections below to read more.

transportation

GRPS provides daily yellow school bus transportation (through Dean Transportation) to WMCAT from GRPS high schools and provides a city bus (The Rapid) pass to get home from WMCAT. Details about daily yellow school bus transportation will be communicated with students once enrolled, prior to the program start.

Metered street parking is available for students at their own expense. We do not provide garage parking.

schedule

Depending on the studio you participate in, studios meet either twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday or twice a week on Monday and Wednesday (please see the studio selection portion of the enrollment form for more information).

a day at WMCAT

When you arrive at WMCAT after school, you’ll be greeted by WMCAT Teen Arts + Tech Program staff and teaching artists and a snack will be provided. From 3:00–3:30 p.m. there will be creative activities and guest artist engagements for you to participate in before studios begin. All students are asked to participate after they check in. Announcements are shared at 3:30 p.m. and studios begin immediately after. When studios end at 5:30 p.m., we can provide a bus pass for you to take The Rapid home, or you can make your own arrangements to get home.  

studio experience

In your studio, you’ll be with up to 11 other GRPS high school students and a teaching artist, allowing you to meet and collaborate with teens from across the city. In addition to gaining skills and completing projects in your studio’s visual arts or digital media discipline, you will: go on field trips; explore real-world and career applications of your creative learnings; share your ideas and voice on issues that matter to you; practice giving and receiving feedback; display your work in an exhibition; and have opportunities to participate in other WMCAT Teen Arts + Tech Program activities such as specialty workshops.

studio options

You can visit our program pages by clicking on the icons below.

key dates

Studios are first come first served. Students are placed in studios on a rolling basis. We recommend turning in your materials ASAP to secure a spot!

Nov 24 | Enrollment opens for Returning Students
Dec 1 | Enrollment opens for to all GRPS Students
Jan 15 | Enrollment Event (required for new students who did not attend Fall 2025 semester). Last day to enroll and guarantee preferred studio placement.
Jan 16 |Priority enrollment deadline for returning students (students who attended Fall 2025 semester)
Jan 26 | Teen Arts + Tech Program Begins (exact date dependent upon studio)
Feb 13 | Enrollment closes to all students
Feb 16 – 17 | Mid-Winter Break, No Program
Mar 12 | WMCAT iBall Event, No Program
Apr 3 – 10 | Spring Break, No Program
May 14 | Teen Arts + Tech Spring Exhibition, family and friends encouraged to attend

Required for new students. Returning students are welcome!

January 15 | 3:30pm – 5:30pm

Location | West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology
614 First St. #300 (Third Floor), Grand Rapids, MI 49504

See WMCAT’s space, meet staff and teaching artists, and turn in enrollment forms while enjoying refreshments.
Open-house style; tours every 20 minutes.

Questions? Contact Program Manager, Carolina at 616.454.7004 or teenprograms@wmcat.org.