Laying Groundwork for an Immersive and Inspirational Creative Destination
At the dawn of the 20th Century, artists from across the globe flocked to Westmoreland County drawn by its reputation as a world class center of arts and culture. This well crafted reputation was built by by an informal group of artists acting as a hub to connect and grow the region’s cultural reputation. Ultimately, the hub was absorbed by a larger organization then disbanded in 1990 as it was outside their mission. Following its loss, the number of art centers declined by 30%, with two additional centers nearing extinction.
Today, River Art Works is rebuilding that connective function in a modern context—one that integrates creative technology, workforce development, and cross-sector collaboration to meet current and emerging needs.
River Art Works (RAW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing creativity, learning, and workforce opportunity through the arts. Founded to serve artists, creative businesses, and arts organizations, RAW strengthens the arts ecosystem through community-based programs, creative technology education, and professional development that support both artistic practice and economic sustainability.
Key initiatives include ArtTEK for TEENS, an after-school program introducing high school students to creative technologies such as drones, digital media, and 3D design. The program builds technical skills, creative problem-solving, and career awareness aligned with emerging workforce needs. RAW also leads the Greater Westmoreland Arts Coalition (GWAC), a collaborative network designed to improve access, coordination, and long-term sustainability for arts organizations and creative professionals.
Guided by an active Board of Directors and supported through partnerships and grants, River Art Works is focused on developing scalable models that support both traditional arts and 21st-century creative technologies—positioning the arts as a driver of workforce readiness, innovation, and long-term community vitality.
