Art and Independence: How art helps to foster independence
The creation and appreciation of visual art can have a profound impact on an individual's development, particularly in fostering...
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Preschool and Family Art
In this program, we invite children ages 3-6 to make art. In this play-based, ongoing art class, we focus on socialization, connection, sensorial learning, and fostering imagination.
Art plays an important role in developing fine motor skills, hand strength, and coordination.
In this program, we focus on socialization, connection, play-based sensorial learning, and fostering imagination. Classes start with a group story share where we read a picture book about an artist, then we move into art-making.
Within our art-making work, children grasp an understanding of lines and shapes, color, watercolor, printmaking, weaving, sculpture, and other art forms. Beyond making works of art, our youngest artists practice purposeful self-expression and creativity to prepare them in their creative journeys. We share a critique, or a group share with our youngest ones, which provides space for children to share language and positive reinforcement with each other. In these lessons, the process is about the focus, not the product.
Classes are very small, with 8 children to 1 teacher.
Classes are 45 minutes long, weekly, and ongoing.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please email education@cultivategrandrapids.org
Current Courses for Young Artists, and Families/Parents/Guardians
Young Artist Series
Play-based art class for children ages 4-6
Art plays an important role in developing fine motor skills, hand strength, and coordination.
In this program, we focus on socialization, connection, play-based sensorial learning, and fostering imagination. Parents and caregivers often sign up for our courses as a preparation for school, or creative accent to school. Classes start with a group story share where we read a picture book about an artist, then we move into art-making.
Within our art-making work, children grasp an understanding of literacy skills, shape and math skills, lines and shapes, color, watercolor, printmaking, weaving, sculpture, and other art forms. Beyond making works of art, our youngest artists practice purposeful self-expression and creativity to prepare them in their creative journeys.
We share social emotional learning to encourage supporting happy and confident kids as we actively teach skills like sharing, understanding and compassion, and respect. In these lessons, the process is about the focus, not the product.
We are only offering young artist series courses at East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation this summer. We will release our fall courses mid-summer and resume young artist series courses at Cultivate.
Art Classes at East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
We are proud to share fine art classes at East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation.
Registration for the East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department classes is done so through their website. If you would like to see, or register for our courses there, please follow the link below. If you have questions in the registration process, please email education@cultivategrandrapids.org
"This was one of my son's first "school-like" experiences and he was really nervous. It was amazing to see that within a few days of class, he was making new friends and was comfortable.
He is so proud of himself and I am proud of him!"
- Parent of three year old
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