TeenTech Center at MACLA

Building upon a long history of neighborhood youth arts programming, MACLA teamed up in 2011 with The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation and the Adobe Foundation to start the Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy (PAYVA). This model enriched MACLA’s original platform by increasing its regional and national visibility as well as providing additional resources for teaching, production, and performance.

In 2020, MACLA was pleased to launch the brand-new Teen Tech Center at MACLA in partnership with Best Buy and The Clubhouse Network. The TTC is a free arts education program in San José, CA, dedicated to mentoring Silicon Valley youth (ages 11-19) in 21st-century skill development through multimedia production. The highly selective, year-round program focuses on a range of disciplines, including professional video and sound production, visual and performing arts, and photography. Summer and after-school workshops range from individual to group-based projects and are taught by experienced industry professionals in a state-of-the-art studio environment.

In addition, the TTC provides youth with a venue for the exploration of relevant social, personal and community issues. It encourages youth to engage in community dialogue, develop their artistic voices, become cultural innovators, and discover how art is used for social change. Because of its latest digital technology offerings, a variety of workshops, and multidisciplinary, hands-on approach to digital literacy, the TTC provides youth with artistic, technical, and practical work skills and experience to prepare them for college and beyond.

In 2022, the TTC at MACLA was selected to add to Clubhouse-2-Career Pathways workshops, which focus on bridging the gap of young adults from the BIPOC community who are entering the tech workforce. This is done through engaging workshops and hands-on programming ending in workforce readiness skills for teens.

Students from any skill level are welcome to join our program anytime during the year.

Teen Tech Center STUDIO DAYS AND TIMES

Teen Tech Center HOURS

Mondays – Friday
3:00pm – 7:00 pm

Doors open at 3:00 pm. Youth must be picked up by 7 pm.

New Member Ages 9-17 years-old. All levels/skills welcome.

All courses take place at MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana at 500 South First Street, San José, CA, 95113.

Teen Tech Center REGISTRATION

ENROLLING INFORMATION

Fill out online application & schedule a tour of TTC
Suggested one-time donation of $25

Experience the various workshops and resources the TTC at MACLA has to offer including photography, filmmaking, podcasting, stop-motion animation, illustration and music creation.

2025 - 2026 Youth Programs

FALL 2025

YOUTH EXHIBITIONS WORKSHOP
September 2025 — July 2026 (Wednesdays and Fridays 3 – 7 PM)
Youth gain hands-on experience as artists and curators, culminating in public gallery openings where they present and sell their work. It’s a powerful opportunity to share their voice, vision, and creativity with the community.

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
September 10 — October 1, 2025 (Wednesdays and Fridays 3 – 7 PM)| Exhibition Opening: October 3, 2025 from 4 – 9 PM.
Join artist Jai Tanju for a street photography workshop where youth explore downtown San José and capture the city’s everyday beauty. Participants develop photography skills while documenting urban life. Photos will be featured in the Street View exhibition.

SPOOKY FILM CLUB
October 7 — October 30, 2025 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 3 – 7 PM)
Get ready for thrills and chills in this spooky film workshop, where youth create short horror-inspired films. From creepy scripts to eerie effects, teens will learn the art of scary storytelling through filmmaking. The program culminates in a costume party and screening.

PATHWAYS WORKSHOP
October 7, 2025 — July 31, 2026
The Career Pathways program provides youth ages 15½ – 17 the opportunity to explore STEAM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and develop tech, trade, and life skills. This program requires a year-long commitment. During the school year, the program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 – 7 pm. While working on collaborative projects during the year, youth earn money for participation. During the summer, youth apply for paid internships. Register by September 30, 2025, spots are limited.

TEEN TECH CENTER CLOSED 12/16/2025 – 01/05/2026

SPRING 2026

TTC FILM CLUB
February 4, 2026 – March 25, 2026 (Wednesdays, 3 – 7 PM)
In this hands-on film production workshop, youth explore every stage of filmmaking—from scriptwriting and directing to camera work and editing. Participants will collaborate on original short films while learning professional techniques and on-set roles. It’s a chance to build creative confidence and bring bold ideas to life on screen.
Sign up!

PATHWAYS AND TTC FILM CLUB (A JOINT PRODUCTION)
March 3 — June 2, 2026 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 – 7 PM)
Gain hands-on experience in directing, filming, editing, and all aspects of creating original short films. Participants will also strengthen essential soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, while learning real-world filmmaking practices. Pathways members ages 15 – 19 will take on leadership roles, mentoring younger members and guiding collaborative projects from concept to final cut.

SUMMER 2026

ARTS & RECreation
June 15 — June 26, 2026 (Monday – Friday, 12 – 5 PM)

This workshop brings together soccer, teamwork, and creative media in a way that’s fun, active, and meaningful. Teens will play recreational soccer with their peers while also creating digital art projects like stop-motion animation, filmmaking, photography, and illustration.

Whether they’re on the field or behind the camera, participants build confidence, learn to think creatively, and express themselves in new ways. The program is welcoming to all skill levels and all materials are provided.