Riya J. Shah

CEO and Founder

Riya Jain Shah is a student researcher, entrepreneur, and advocate for community art. She founded the Youth Art Center with a vision to support youth and women artisans in their careers.
She views art as a form of self-expression and mental well-being, but also as an enterprise capable of generating social and economic impact. She encourages young people to embrace creativity and to view art not as a hobby, but as an enterprise that can spark social change.
Her own journey began during a visit to her homeland, where the Taj Mahal sparked questions about how rulers use art to shape culture and power. She has published multiple articles about art and its relationship to history, consumer psychology, journalism, and equity. She has been recognized as a Bank of America Student Leader, chosen for her leadership and service as one of only 300 students nationwide out of a pool of nearly 12,000 applicants.

She has dedicated over 500 hours to community service through the Youth Art Center and partner nonprofits, actively contributing to local community events, leading creative workshops, organizing art-based initiatives, and promoting youth empowerment and women’s upliftment through art and education.

Read More

Our Mission

Empowering Young Artists, Igniting Creativity, and Supporting Arts Education!

At the Youth Art Center, our mission is to create a thriving artistic community by providing a platform for teen artists to showcase and sell their artwork. We are dedicated to supporting the arts and recognizing the tremendous positive influence it has on children's academic attainment, social-emotional development, and future employment opportunities.

The arts economy in the United States has faced significant challenges, with a decline in arts and cultural production between 2019 and 2020. According to the statistics from the Arts Action Fund, the U.S. arts economy shrank at nearly twice the rate of the overall economy, with arts and cultural production falling by 6.4% when adjusted for inflation.

Moreover, arts education has been undervalued and underfunded, limiting opportunities for young artists to explore their creative passions and develop their skills. The annual Arts in Schools Report highlights the need for increased investment in arts education, as it has been recognized to have a tremendously positive influence on children's academic attainment, social-emotional development, and future employment. Students with high arts participation and low socioeconomic status have a significantly lower dropout rate (4%) compared to their peers without arts education. Additionally, low-income students highly engaged in the arts are twice as likely to graduate from college.

The Youth Art Center aims to address these challenges by focusing on the following goals:

Empowering Young Artists: The Youth Art Center is committed to empowering teen artists by providing them with a dedicated platform to showcase and sell their artwork. Through this platform, we aim to boost their confidence, recognize their talent, and provide them with opportunities for exposure and recognition.

Igniting Creativity: We understand the importance of arts education in fostering creativity. Despite the challenges faced by the arts education system, we strive to ignite creativity in young minds by promoting arts education, advocating for increased funding, and supporting comprehensive arts curricula in schools.

Read More

What We Do

  • Empowering Young Artists

    We provide a dedicated platform for teen artists to share and sell their work—building their confidence, validating their talent, and opening doors to new opportunities.

  • Igniting Creativity

    We promote and advocate for robust arts education. We champion creative thinking as a core part of every young person’s development both inside and outside the classroom.

  • Supporting Arts Education

    We stand for a well-funded, equitable arts education system. From resources for schools to professional development for educators, we support the ecosystem that nurtures young creatives.

  • Bridging the Opportunity Gap

    We’re committed to equity in access. Through mentorship, outreach, and community programs, we work with underserved communities to remove barriers and ensure every young artist and artisan hasv a chance to shine.

1 4

Our Team

  • Founder and CEO

    At the Youth Art Center, our mission is to create a thriving artistic community by providing a platform for teen artists to showcase and sell their artwork.

    Riya Jain Shah 

  • Director of Marketing


    Hello, My Name is Empi! I am 16 years old and I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY although ethnically, I am Ghanaian.

    Empi Mends 

  • Director of Outreach

    A primary goal of YAC is to promote youth arts and education accessibility. As director of outreach, I hope to usher events and opportunities for community involvement as well as engagement in promoting young artist’s art.

    Diya Suri 

Not all artworks displayed on YAC are for sale. The platform also celebrates budding artists by showcasing their creativity and helping them share their voice with the world.

We are taking in new officers on rolling basis to expand the The YAC activities and open new chapters.

Join Our Amazing Team!

Apply Now