Utah Juvenile Justice Dept. To Adopt Arts-Teens Model

Arts-Kids and the state Juvenile Justice Dept. are collaborating to give Utah’s incarcerated teens the chance to improve their life skills and self-esteem.

The Arts-Teens Model will be adopted at the Wasatch Secure Care Center, a long-term secure care and treatment center for adolescents committed by Utah’s Juvenile Court.

The intent is to create a safe environment for the expression of feelings and the development of empathy. Without empathy – the ability to have a concern for others – crimes take place. When there is no sense of “otherness,” there can be no sense of remorse.

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

Arts-Teens is seeking $6000 for the pilot program and training of case managers.