Current Youth Programs

FREE Youth Programming at the Asian Arts Initiative
Youth, grades 6th through 12th, can participate in a series of free programs taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays at our site located at 1219-1223 Vine Street. Youth can sign up for one program or as many as they like! Our programs are lead by professional teaching artists who serve as mentors for youth interested in the arts. No past experience is necessary, just a willingness to share in the creative experience! Space is limited so sign up today! To become part of the programs, or for more information please call Nicole Seamans at 215-557-0455 ext. 224.


Winter Schedule: January 7 – March 31, 2012

Installation Nation
January 4th to March 28th
Wednesdays: 3:30pm to 6pm

Students in Installation art class

Take art off of the walls and think outside of the box in this visual arts workshop that combines visual arts, writing, sculpture, spoken word and more. Teens will work with our teaching artist, Pauline Houston McCall, on installation environments that explore and address a range of issues from the very personal to those affecting our communities and world. Youth in the program will design, create and install art installations at our salon space at 1223 Vine Street.

Okedo Drum Workshop
January 14th through March 31st
Saturdays: 1pm to 2:30pm

Homemade okedo drums

Taiko drummer Matt Palmer will teach teens to build an Okedo drum and learn to play traditional songs. At the end of the class, there will be an opportunity to perform for family and friends. On Saturday, March 24th, the class will take a trip to the Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival to learn more about the arts and culture of Japan.

Fashion Workshop: Altered Clothing and Silkscreen
January 7th – March 31st
Saturdays: 1pm to 3pm

If you have a passion for fashion, this is the workshop for you! This design class is for teens that want to learn to transform clothes through sewing, cutting and silkscreen. Youth will work on introductory sewing projects to transform t-shirts into one-of-a-kind creations, learn to print designs on fabric, create original hair accessories and learn more about the art and business of fashion design. The program will culminate in a fashion show for family and friends. 

Choreography and Dance Workshop
January 7 – March 31st
Saturdays: 3pm to 4:30pm

Youth dance class

Explore a variety of dance forms in this class for all levels. Modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop styles will be introduced throughout the workshop by professional dancer Marcie Mamura. Teens will work individually and in groups to choreograph their own dance pieces for a performance for family and friends at the end of the program.

Philly Youth Radio
January 12 – March 22nd
Thursdays: 3:30pm – 6:00pm

Got something to say? Want to be heard? Learn how to make a radio story. Apply for a paid youth radio apprenticeship to participate in 11 radio production workshops.


Teen Leadership Council

Teen Gallery Photo

Teen Leadership Council (TLC) is a place for high school students to meet, design, coordinate, and create teen events at the Asian Arts Initiative. This program provides a comfortable arena for you to voice your opinions, develop leadership skills, and advance your potential as members of the community. You will have the opportunity to work with Initiative staff and professional artists as part of the progrm.

Throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of activies such as creating and producing teen-focused events, marketing the programs to your peers, blogging about your experiences and reaching out to communities through the arts. To apply, submit a complete application to nicole@asianartsinitiative.org by December 13, 2011. Interviews will take place on Wednesday, January 4 and Thursday January  from 4-6 p.m. at Asian Arts Initiative at 1219 Vine St. Chosen students will receive a small stiped for completed service to the Council.

When: Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-6:00 p.m. January 18, 2012-January 16, 2013.
Who: Open-minded, motivated, creative teens ages 15-18.

Click here to view the flyer
Click here to download the application


What is Youth Arts Workshop?

Watch and find out:

By providing art-making opportunities and a safe space for Asian American teens and their classmates, we hope that teens will have a chance to explore and express their experiences and connect with others in their community. Projects over the years have included theater, spoken word, poetry, writing, documentary video, narrative film, short video, drawing/painting, mural making, hip-hop dance, DJ techniques, and many more. Most of the youth workshops run after school or on weekends during the academic year from September through June, generally with three ongoing weekly workshops and occasional one-day workshops. Through these workshops, we hope that teens will:
  • Develop greater understanding of their own and each others experience
  • Be able to express their personal stories and how they relate to a larger social context
  • Develop critical thinking skills through dialogue
  • Find ways to incorporate their experience and understanding into their art
  • Demonstrate improvement in specific artistic skills
  • Pursue further opportunities for community-based arts in the future
Learn more about past Youth Arts Workshop programs: