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DAHL ARTS CENTER
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A Pathway for Creative Teens to Explore Their Interest in Art

The Teen Art Studio is a free afterschool program that allows teenage creatives to practice artmaking with a dedicated instructor in a designated teen space. This program remains widely accessible thanks to generous funding from organizations such as the John T. Vucurevich Foundation and the Gwen Stearns Family Foundation.
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DISCOVER

a uniquely teen space
The Teen Art Studio is designed specifically for teens by people who care about their interests, experience, and well-being.

a medley of mediums
From blendable markers to Gelli plates, students have access to supplies they have perhaps never used before and more time with quality supplies they enjoy.

a culture of kindness
This is a safe space for making friends and art alike.
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DEVISE

creating with critique
Students will learn how to give and take constructive feedback about their artwork and others.
​

making mistakes with merit
You are encouraged to get comfortable with things not going to plan because all growth happens right outside your comfort zone.

building a body of work
By the end of the session, students will be able to look back on a collection of creations for a visual reminder of how far they have come in their artistic journey.
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DISPLAY

considering like a curator
Students will gain firsthand wisdom from the Dahl’s gallery director on what goes into curating an art exhibition.

preparing for presentation
Students will learn and implement the creative process to develop their final exhibition pieces from scratch.

exploring exhibition
The high point of the Teen Studio journey is the annual exhibition of student work, with guided show design by the students themselves. ​

This year, the exhibition will be in the Milton Shaver Gallery from May 14th through June 26th, 2027.


​​Develop Your Skills in the Teen Art Studio!

The Details
This program accommodates up to 30 students selected through our application process. Accepted students have the choice to attend studio on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 4-6pm, with attendance on Saturdays from 12-4pm left optional for guided open studio time. 

Do you think the Teen Art Studio might be for you?
Students must participate in two (2) hours of studio time per week for all 28 weeks of the program, and they are highly encouraged to attend at least a few open studio sessions over the course of their enrollment. If you feel the Teen Studio might be a good fit for you, follow the link below to start the easy application process.

Location:
Dahl Arts Center is at 713 7th Street
The Teen Art Studio is housed in our education dept which is reached by the Kansas City St entrance.
Parking is available curbside, and there is a city bus stop on site

Questions or concerns? Email us at [email protected]

The Basement Children
Teen Art Studio
​4.9.26 - 5.9.26

​The Teen Art Studio Exhibition, The Basement Children, showcases the dedicated work of 22 talented young artists, the third cohort of RCAC’s Teen Art Studio program. From Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Lobby of the Dahl Arts Center will be transformed into a showcase of youthful creativity. 

The Teen Art Studio students have titled their show The Basement Children. While this exhibition marks the culmination of their past eight months of exploration, hard work, and commitment to art-making, these young artists recognize that their creative journeys are just beginning. Through this work, they’ve experimented with various materials, techniques, and mediums, discovering where their artistic passions lie. Curated by the students themselves, the exhibition offers hands-on experience in gallery presentation, preparing them for future artistic endeavors.

Work in Progress
Teen Art Studio
4.3.25 - 4.24.25

Work in Progress showcases the dedicated work of 26 talented young artists, the second cohort of RCAC’s Teen Art Studio program. From April 3 to April 24, 2025, the Bruce H Lien Cultural Café and Gallery at the Dahl Arts Center will be transformed into a vibrant showcase of youthful creativity. 

For their exhibit of mixed-media creations, the Teen Art Studio students have titled their show "Work in Progress." While this exhibition marks the culmination of their past eight months of exploration, these young artists recognize that their creative journeys are just beginning. Through this work, they’ve experimented with various materials, techniques, and mediums, discovering where their artistic passions lie. Curated by the students themselves, the exhibition offers hands-on experience in gallery presentation, preparing them for future artistic endeavors.

Circus
Teen Art Studio
4.11.24 - 4.27.24

The inaugural Teen Art Studio Exhibition, showcasing the dedicated work of 22 talented young artists, the first cohort of RCAC’s Teen Art Studio program. From April 11 to April 27, 2024, the Bruce H Lien Cultural Café and Gallery at the Dahl Arts Center was transformed into a vibrant showcase of youthful creativity.

For the exhibit of mixed media delights, the students explore the theme of “circus.” The exhibition is curated by the students, furthering their experience in working with galleries and producing artwork for an audience.
The purpose of the Rapid City Arts Council (RCAC) is to champion the power of art to bring all kinds of people together, making art more accessible, more integral and more inspiring for the communities we serve.​ RCAC was established by community leaders in 1968 and officially partnered with the city in 1974 to manage the Dahl Arts Center and expand arts and cultural resources. RCAC creates and supports diverse programming in exhibitions, performances, and educational classes. Supported by individual donors and organizations such as the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, John T. Vucurevich Foundation, the South Dakota Arts Council through the South Dakota Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts, and others, RCAC is committed to enriching the community's artistic and cultural experiences.
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713 7th Street, Rapid City, SD
605.394.4101

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  • Visit
    • Dahl Artists' Market
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Our Story
    • RCAC Team
    • Volunteer
    • Contact
  • Dalí Raffle
  • Galleries
    • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Emerging Visual Artists
    • Past Exhibitions
    • Permanent Collection
    • Calls for Art >
      • Exhibit at the Dahl
      • Hopes for the Hills
      • Downtown Mural Project
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Emerging Performing Artists
    • Event Space Rental
  • Classes & Camps
    • Adult Classes >
      • Adult Classes
      • Open Pottery Studio
      • Open Art Studio
    • Youth Classes & Camps >
      • Youth Classes
      • Summer Art Camps
      • Teen Art Studio
    • Scholarships
  • Membership
  • Donate