Join the Cultivate Continuum: Year-Round Opportunities for Young Artists
At Cultivate, we believe in the transformative power of art—not just as a medium for expression but as a fundamental component of...
top of page
Teen Art Program
Our Teen Art Program is crafted to meet the aspirations and developmental needs of young artists aged 13-18, drawing inspiration from the high standards of leading art schools. This program offers an array of classes and workshops that delve into both traditional and contemporary art disciplines, from foundational drawing and painting to cutting-edge interdisciplinary and mixed media experimentation.
The curriculum is designed to challenge students, promoting critical thinking, conceptual development, and personal expression. It aims to create a collegiate-level educational experience that nurtures technical skills, encourages artistic exploration, and prepares teens for future academic and career opportunities in the arts.
Courses are led by experienced educators and professional artists, providing personalized guidance to help each student refine their techniques and articulate their creative visions. Through hands-on projects, collaborative work, and portfolio development, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the artistic process and the confidence to present their work in a professional context.
Critique sessions and peer reviews are integral to our program, fostering a constructive environment where students learn to give and receive feedback, enhancing their ability to think critically about art. This immersive educational approach is complemented by access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, allowing students to explore new techniques and mediums, expand their creative boundaries, and develop a comprehensive body of work.
Our Teen Art Program is more than just a series of classes; it's an opportunity to join a vibrant community of young artists. Here, students can forge connections, share experiences, and grow together in a supportive and inspiring environment. Join us for a transformative summer experience that will enrich your artistic skills and shape your creative future.
Our summer art programs are thoughtfully designed for elementary-aged children, offering both half-day and full-day options to accommodate the varied needs and schedules of families.
These immersive programs cover a wide array of artistic disciplines, from painting and sculpture to fiber arts and art adventure camps, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging creative experience for every young artist.
Teen Art Camps
Spring 2024 Semester
January - May 2024
Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels
This six-week course introduces high school students to the fundamental techniques and concepts of drawing. The course emphasizes both technical proficiency and creative exploration, starting from basic line work and progressing to complex perspectives and figure drawing. Students will work on longer projects that span two weeks, allowing for deep engagement with each skill set, culminating in a final project and portfolio review.
Course Dates: Tuesdays in January and February
Course Starts: January 9, 2024
Course Ends: February 13, 2024
Time: 6-830pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Introduction to Drawing Fundamentals
This six-week course introduces high school students to the fundamental techniques and concepts of drawing. The course emphasizes both technical proficiency and creative exploration, starting from basic line work and progressing to complex perspectives and figure drawing. Students will work on longer projects that span two weeks, allowing for deep engagement with each skill set, culminating in a final project and portfolio review.
Course Dates: Wednesdays in January and February
Course Starts: January 10, 2024
Course Ends: February 14, 2024
Time: 6-830pm
Location: Cultivate, 620 Wealthy St
Character Design for Comics and Graphic Novels
This six-week course is tailored for high school students interested in the art of character design, specifically within the context of comics and graphic novels. The course will guide students through the process of conceptualizing and refining characters that are both visually interesting and narratively compelling. Starting from basic sketches and moving toward finalized designs, students will explore anatomy, facial expressions, clothing, and accessories, as well as how to convey a character's personality and backstory through visual cues.
Course Dates: Tuesdays in February and March
Course Starts: February 20, 2024
Course Ends: March 26, 2024
Time: 6-830pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Portrait Drawing Techniques
In this six-week course, students will delve into the world of portrait drawing, exploring techniques to capture likeness, emotion, and the nuances of the human face. With a focus on different styles and mediums, the course will provide a comprehensive understanding of drawing portraits. Students will engage in two major projects, each spanning two weeks, providing them ample time to refine their skills.
Course Dates: Wednesdays in February and March
Course Starts: February 21, 2024
Course Ends: March 27, 2024
Time: 6-830pm
Location: Cultivate, 620 Wealthy St
Teen Spring Break Camp
Afternoon Session: Drawing and Painting
1-4pm
Our Spring Break Art Intensive: Drawing & Painting is tailored for high school students who are eager to deepen their artistic practice in drawing and painting, with a focus on still life and portrait work. This workshop is perfect for students preparing for AP Art exams or building a college art portfolio.
During the camp, students will:
- Engage in focused drawing sessions, studying still life setups to enhance their observational and rendering skills.
- Participate in portrait painting workshops, using acrylic or oil paints to capture the subtleties of human expressions and features.
- Explore a variety of painting techniques, understanding color theory, composition, and brushwork.
- Receive individualized feedback and critique, aimed at refining their technique and artistic expression.
This immersive experience is designed to push students' creative boundaries, allowing them to experiment with styles and mediums while gaining valuable insights into the artistic process. Students will take a trip around the college - seeing classrooms, meeting students, and seeing the opportunities at Kendall College. The class will conclude with a session on portfolio development, offering tips on how to curate and present their work effectively for AP Art or college applications.
Snacks are included
Course Schedule: Monday-Friday, 1-4pm
Course Starts: April 1, 2023
Course Ends: April 5, 2023
Location: Kendall College of Art and Design, 17 Pearl St Grand Rapids
Comic Book Storytelling and Sequential Art
Discover the art of character design in the compelling world of comics and graphic novels. Over six immersive weeks, students will delve into designing characters from scratch, understanding anatomy, mastering expressions, and developing backstories. This course will equip students with the skills to create their own dynamic comic characters, ready for any narrative they want to explore.
Course Dates: Tuesdays in April and May
Course Starts: April 9, 2024
Course Ends: May 14, 2024
Time: 6-830pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Understanding Perspective and Composition
In this intensive six-week course, teens will explore the foundational elements of perspective and composition in visual art. From one-point to three-point perspective and from the rule of thirds to the golden ratio, students will deepen their understanding through hands-on projects. The class structure incorporates two extended projects, each spanning two weeks, to allow for deeper engagement and mastery.
Course Dates: Wednesdays in April and May
Course Starts: April 10, 2024
Course Ends: May 15, 2024
Time: 6-830pm
Location: Cultivate, 620 Wealthy St
Teen Summer Art Camps
Our Teen Art Summer Camps stand out by offering an immersive and in-depth exploration of art, distinctly designed for the dedicated young artist aged 13-18.
This focused approach enables students to not only master the technical aspects of the medium but also to understand its conceptual underpinnings, leading to richer, more nuanced works of art. The immersive nature of the camps fosters a deeper connection to the material, encouraging students to think critically about their work and how it relates to broader artistic contexts.
Guided by seasoned artists and educators, participants benefit from personalized instruction and mentorship, enhancing their learning experience. The camps also emphasize connected learning, encouraging students to draw connections between their art and personal experiences, as well as between various artistic disciplines, enriching their creative practice.
Exploring Watercolors: Techniques and Landscapes
Exploring Watercolors: Techniques and Landscapes is a class tailored for teens aged 13-18, designed to deepen their mastery of watercolor painting with a specific focus on landscapes. This course challenges students to explore the medium of watercolors through advanced techniques such as wet-on-wet, dry brush, glazing, and layering, enabling them to accurately depict various landscapes with emotional depth and technical precision.
Students will learn to experiment with color, composition, and lighting, developing their ability to create atmospheric and evocative landscape paintings. The class emphasizes creative expression, encouraging participants to develop their unique artistic voice while gaining a solid foundation in watercolor techniques. Through guided instruction and hands-on practice, teens will enhance their skills, culminating in a portfolio of landscapes that reflect their personal vision and newfound expertise in watercolor painting.
Course Dates: Monday-Friday
Course Starts: June 10, 2024
Course Ends: June 14, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Sculpture Studio: From Concept to Creation
Sculpture Studio: From Concept to Creation is a class focused on the in-depth exploration of sculpture, guiding students from the initial ideation phase to the complete realization of their sculptural projects. This class equips students with an understanding of both traditional and contemporary sculptural techniques and materials, including clay, wire, and found objects, emphasizing hands-on experimentation and creative expression.
Participants will engage in a structured yet flexible environment that supports personal artistic growth, culminating in the creation of finished sculptures that demonstrate their acquired skills and conceptual depth. This class is an opportunity for young artists to immerse themselves in the sculptural arts, challenging them to push the boundaries of three-dimensional expression.
Course Dates: Monday-Friday
Course Starts: June 17, 2024
Course Ends: June 21, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Introduction to Oil Painting: Techniques and Portraiture
Introduction to Oil Painting: Techniques and Portraiture is a class designed to offer a foundational understanding of oil painting, with a special focus on techniques and portraiture. This class introduces students to the rich tradition of oil painting, guiding them through the basics of color theory, medium manipulation, and brushwork to create lifelike portraits and expressive compositions.
Through demonstrations, personalized instruction, and practice, participants will develop their skills in oil painting, from setting up their palette to the final touches that bring a portrait to life. The class aims to foster a deep appreciation for oil painting, encouraging students to continue exploring its potential for personal expression and artistic growth. By the end of the course, students will have completed several oil paintings, including at least one detailed portrait, showcasing their newly acquired techniques and understanding of portraiture.
Course Dates: Monday-Friday
Course Starts: June 24, 2024
Course Ends: June 28, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Fashion Design and Sewing Basics
Fashion Design and Sewing Basics is a class aimed at teens aged 13-18, designed to introduce the fundamentals of fashion design and basic sewing skills. The class focuses on key concepts such as basic garment sketching, understanding fabric types, and learning simple sewing techniques.
Students will start with basic fashion illustration to visualize their designs, followed by an introduction to fabrics and an overview of pattern reading. The sewing component covers essential skills like machine threading, straight stitching, and hemming, enabling students to construct simple clothing items or accessories.
This streamlined approach allows students to quickly grasp the essentials of fashion design and sewing, empowering them to create their first handmade project by the end of the class. The goal is to ignite a passion for fashion design and sewing, providing a solid foundation for further exploration and creativity in the field.
Course Dates: Monday-Friday
Course Starts: July 8, 2024
Course Ends: July 12, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Mixed Media Art: Collage and Composition
Mixed Media Art: Collage and Composition offers teens aged 13-18 an immersive 15-hour exploration into the dynamic interplay of materials, methods, and ideas that define contemporary mixed media art. This course is crafted to challenge students to think critically about the use of diverse materials in art-making, from traditional to unconventional, and to understand how these choices impact the conceptual and aesthetic qualities of their work.
Participants will delve into advanced compositional strategies, critically engaging with color theory, texture, and form to create complex, thought-provoking artworks. The curriculum is designed to foster an environment where experimentation is not just encouraged but is a pivotal aspect of the creative process.
By the end of the course, students will have gained not only a deeper appreciation for the versatility of mixed media art but also an enhanced ability to articulate their ideas through the layered complexity of their creations. This class is an opportunity for young artists to engage deeply with the practices and philosophies at the heart of contemporary art-making, laying a solid foundation for further artistic exploration and expression.
Course Dates: Monday-Friday
Course Starts: July 15, 2024
Course Ends: July 19, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Figure Drawing and Anatomy for Teen Artists
Figure Drawing and Anatomy for Artists is a class focusing on enhancing figure drawing skills through a detailed understanding of human anatomy. This course teaches students to accurately depict the human form, emphasizing proportion, movement, and the anatomical structures that dictate these elements.
Students will engage in practical drawing exercises, including live model sessions, to apply theories of anatomy directly to their art. The instruction covers key concepts such as anatomical landmarks, the dynamics of movement, and how light and shadow contribute to the perception of depth.
The class is designed to improve observational skills and artistic precision, allowing students to produce works that demonstrate a refined grasp of the human figure. By the course end, students will have a portfolio of figure drawings showcasing their technical improvement and creative expression, laying a foundational skill set for further artistic pursuits.
Course Dates: Monday-Friday
Course Starts: July 22, 2024
Course Ends: July 26, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Portfolio Development and Art Critique
Portfolio Development and Art Critique is aimed at preparing students for the next steps in their artistic education and careers. This class guides students through the process of creating a compelling art portfolio, crucial for college applications, scholarships, or professional opportunities, while also introducing the fundamentals of art critique.
The curriculum emphasizes selecting and presenting works that reflect the student's unique voice and skill set, covering layout and digital presentation techniques. Students will learn how to critically evaluate their own work and that of their peers, fostering an environment of constructive feedback and personal growth. Key components include understanding the criteria for a standout portfolio, the basics of writing an artist's statement, and strategies for effectively discussing and defending one's work. The class also incorporates practical sessions on receiving and applying feedback to refine and enhance one’s artistic output.
By the end of the course, students will have not only assembled a portfolio that showcases their best work but also gained valuable skills in critique and self-assessment, preparing them for the rigors of higher education in the arts or entry into the professional art world.
Note: While this course is designed for high school juniors and seniors, we encourage any teen who wants to take their art to the next level, and/or prepare for the AP Art classes in future years.
Course Dates: Monday-Friday
Course Starts: Aug 5, 2024
Course Ends: Aug 9, 2024
Time: 1-4pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
"Cultivate has been a game-changer for me. Before, art was just something I did on the side, but the classes and community here have helped me see it as something more—like a future. The teachers are so nice and know so much, and the workshops have helped my technique and think more about my work. It's so much more than just a place to make art, it's where I've found friends and my direction."
- Emily T., student in program
"As a parent, finding meaningful experiences for my teenager is always a priority, and Cultivate has exceeded all expectations. The skill-building classes have not only nurtured my child's artistic talent but have also instilled a sense of discipline, creativity, and community engagement that I've seen spill over into other aspects of their life.
I'm so thankful for the positive impact Cultivate has had, and we look forward to many more sessions."
-Sarah H., parent of a student in the teen program
Cultivate Conversations:
Art and Education Discourse
Read the Cultivate Arts Publication
bottom of page