Explore our Creative Spaces
We offer classes at three distinct locations—Cultivate (our home base), East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, and Kendall College of Art and Design—each providing unique environments that align with our mission to make art education accessible and community-centered.
At Cultivate, we foster creativity through studios, workshops, and clubs in a dedicated space that supports artists of all ages. East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation offers an introduction to art in a community-focused, nature-inspired setting, perfect for younger students and families. At Kendall College of Art and Design, we bring our core classes to a professional, college setting, offering a dynamic downtown experience for students looking to deepen their practice.
Across all locations, we emphasize hands-on learning, creative exploration, and community engagement, making art education an inclusive, enriching experience for everyone.
Cultivate
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Located on Wealthy Street, Cultivate serves as the heart of our creative community, offering studios, clubs, and workshops for artists of all ages. This centrally located space is designed to foster creativity and connection, where students and artists come together to explore their practice in a supportive and inspiring environment.
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Classroom Features:
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Family/Elementary Classroom: This vibrant and accessible classroom is designed for younger artists, offering hands-on, engaging projects that introduce foundational art skills. With materials thoughtfully organized for ease of use, the space encourages exploration, creativity, and collaboration among our youngest learners.
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Teen/Adult Classroom: Tailored for more advanced work, this flexible studio provides the perfect environment for teens and adults to develop their technical skills. Equipped for both individual projects and group critiques, this space supports deeper artistic exploration and professional growth.
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Lounge & Art Library: Our lounge area offers a comfortable place to relax, complete with tea and coffee for students, parents, and guests. Adjacent to the lounge, our art library is stocked with resources that inspire creativity and provide insight into art history, theory, and contemporary practices. It’s a space for informal study, discussion, or simply recharging during or after class.
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Critique Wall & Student Gallery: The critique wall provides a space for students to display their works-in-progress, while our student gallery highlights completed projects. Both areas are central to our culture of feedback and reflection, promoting artistic growth and peer engagement.
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What’s Offered:
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Studios, Clubs, and Workshops: Cultivate offers a wide variety of programs designed to meet the needs of artists at every level. From ongoing studio sessions to specialized workshops and clubs, students of all ages are invited to deepen their practice and explore new techniques in an inclusive, welcoming environment.
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Creative Hub for the Community: As our central location, Cultivate serves as a gathering space for artists, families, and creatives of all kinds. Whether you’re participating in a class, relaxing in the lounge, or sharing your work on the critique wall, Cultivate offers a space where creativity and community intersect.
Cultivate
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Address
620 Wealthy St, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
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Hours
Sunday - closed
Monday - 11am-8pm
Tuesday - 11am-8pm
Wednesday - 11am-8pm
Thursday - 11am-8pm
Friday - 11am-5pm
Saturday - 10am-12pm
Parking
We have parking in our parking lot, located behind our studio space. There is handicap parking there as well. If that is full, we recommend parking on James Street as it is free parking. For easy drop-off and pick-up, parents and guardians can also use our parking lot or dropoff/loading zone in front of or in the parking lot of our space.
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At Cultivate, we blend a professional studio environment with a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere. Our home base on Wealthy Street is where artists come together to create, learn, and grow, making it the heart of our creative endeavors. See photos of the space below.
East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
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At East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, we offer a gateway into art for young artists, elementary students, and adults. Located next to Reeds Lake and in the same spot at the Kent District Library - East Grand Rapids, this location blends creativity, community, and nature in a way that fosters both artistic growth and neighborhood connection. Our classes provide the perfect introduction to art, incorporating nature-inspired lessons in a setting where community engagement is central to the experience.
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Classroom Features:
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Connected to the Outdoors: With Reeds Lake just steps away, our studio spaces are designed to bring the outdoors in, offering a bright and inviting atmosphere for artistic exploration. Students are encouraged to engage with their surroundings, whether it’s through sketching by the windows or studying the textures of the nearby environment.
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Community-Centered Environment: Located in a vibrant neighborhood, the studio serves as a hub where local families, friends, and neighbors gather to create. It’s a space that fosters connection, where the shared experience of art brings people together.
What’s Offered:
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Introductory Art Classes: Our classes for young artists, elementary students, and adults focus on foundational principles of art and design, with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Each class is crafted to meet students where they are, providing a friendly and supportive space to explore creative techniques.
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Teaching Through Nature: Our proximity to Reeds Lake offers a unique opportunity to teach core principles of art through direct interaction with the natural environment. Whether studying line and texture from the ripples in the water or exploring color theory through seasonal changes, nature becomes an active part of the learning process.
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Engaging, Community-Based Learning: We believe that art and community go hand-in-hand. Our programs are designed not only to teach technical skills but to foster a deeper connection between students and their local environment. It’s about seeing the world around us differently and translating that vision into creative expression.
East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
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Address
750 Lakeside Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Parks and Recreation Building, Room #103
Parking
We recommend parking in the lower lot as this is closer to the art classroom.
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Registration Note
As the East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation department is a government agency, their courses are through a separate registration system - not our registration system.
We are deeply grateful for our partnership with East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, which allows us to extend our mission of making art accessible to all. By working within this beautiful, community-centered space, we’re able to offer art classes that are meaningful, inclusive, and rooted in the rich natural environment of Reeds Lake.
Kendall College of Art and Design
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At Kendall College of Art and Design, we offer the same core classes for elementary students, teens, and adults, but in the dynamic setting of a downtown, collegiate campus. This partnership allows students to experience a more formal art school atmosphere while maintaining the hands-on, creative approach that defines our programs.
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Classroom Features:
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Dedicated Classroom Space: Our classroom at Kendall is designed to accommodate students of all ages, from elementary learners to adults. The setup encourages creativity while providing access to high-quality materials and a professional environment that mirrors a collegiate studio experience.
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Downtown, College Setting: Located in the heart of downtown, Kendall offers a unique, inspiring backdrop for students. This setting immerses them in the energy of an art and design school while giving them a taste of a more advanced learning environment.
What’s Offered:
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Elementary, Teen, and Adult Classes: Our classes at Kendall provide the same curriculum and structure as those offered at our home base, with the added benefit of being in a college setting. Whether you’re an elementary student beginning your creative journey or an adult refining your skills, these classes offer the perfect blend of foundational learning and artistic exploration.
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Opportunities for Growth: Students at Kendall have the chance to engage with their peers in a more formal educational environment, building confidence and skills that can prepare them for future artistic endeavors, including higher education or professional practice.
Kendall College of Art and Design
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Address
Located in the Woodbridge N. Ferris building
17 Pearl St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503​
Room #W010
Parking
There is plenty of street parking available, as well as numerous parking garages nearby.
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For speedy pickup and drop off for those who are comfortable, there are loading zones in front of the building for parents/guardians to simply pause while students enter or exit the car.
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Our collaboration with Kendall College of Art and Design allows us to offer our community the best of both worlds: the same high-quality classes you know from Cultivate, combined with the benefits of a college campus and downtown setting. It’s a unique opportunity for students to grow creatively while experiencing what it’s like to learn in a professional, academic environment. This partnership enhances our ability to provide diverse learning experiences while maintaining our commitment to hands-on, inclusive art education.