The "Totally Cool, Totally Art Program" (TCTA) was initiated by the Austin (Texas) Parks and Recreation Department in the fall of 1996. Through the TCTA program, visual arts classes were offered to teens twice a week at each of nine recreation centers. At eight of the nine sites, six separate 4-week sessions were held, with three sessions at the last site. At each site, the program began at approximately 4:30 pm with a 1-hour tutoring program or other activity organized by the teen leader from the host center. A class in a particular art medium was then offered by a practicing artist from 5:30 to 7:30. Target group size was planned for 8 to 20 participants at each site. The overall program was coordinated by staff from the Dougherty Arts Center. Approximately 55% of participants were African American, and about 3% were Hispanic American. A total of 292 teens signed up for at least 1 of the 6 sessions, and the total participant hours were over 10,000. When teens who participated were asked what they might be doing if they were not participating in the program, they indicated that they might be sitting at home, watching television, or doing homework. The program was seen by organizers as a way to avoid teens' being bored and a way to provide an incentive to do well in school so that they could participate. Program satisfaction data and comments from participants and their parents indicate that there will be many repeat signups in the future. At the end of two of the sessions, the program sponsored an Open House and art display, and a newsletter was distributed at each session. (Contains 10 tables.) (SLD)