Nurturing Creative Thinkers: The Role of Art in Building Skills for Lifelong Learning
At Cultivate, our Elementary Art Program is more than just a place to learn how to draw or paint; it’s an environment where children...
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Progressive Levels Elementary Art
About the Program -
The value of Cultivate's progressive class structure lies in its ability to support continuous learning, ensuring that each student builds on foundational skills before moving on to more advanced techniques. This approach helps parents and guardians see the growth in their child's abilities and confidence, providing a clear pathway for development.
We implement this system to offer a consistent, long-term learning experience that nurtures creativity, fosters problem-solving, and ensures each child is challenged appropriately at their skill level. It emphasizes not just artistic growth, but also personal development, helping students gain focus, patience, and self-expression.
Drawing Program
Our Elementary Art Program for ages 6-12 offers a rich curriculum that introduces young learners to a wide array of artistic disciplines. From painting and sculpture to printmaking and more, children explore various forms of artistic expression through hands-on activities that are both fun and educational. The program is crafted to stimulate curiosity, develop artistic skills, and enhance critical thinking through creative arts.
Level A: Fundamentals of Drawing
A1: First Lines and Shapes
This class focuses on teaching young artists the basics of drawing lines and geometric shapes. Students will explore how to combine these elements to form more complex compositions.
A2: Shading Steps
Students will learn various shading techniques such as hatching and blending to add depth and dimension to their drawings. They will also explore how light affects objects and how to represent it visually.
A3: Color Basics with Pastels
In this class, students will experiment with pastels and learn color mixing techniques to create new hues. The course also introduces color theory to help students understand how colors interact.
A4: Simple Figures
This class covers the basics of sketching human and animal figures with an emphasis on maintaining accurate proportions. Students will practice drawing figures with attention to anatomical correctness.
A5: Perspectives Made Easy
Students will learn the fundamental technique of one-point perspective to create realistic spatial compositions. They will practice organizing objects to reflect depth and distance in their drawings.
Level C: Advanced Drawing Concepts
C1: Portraiture Focus
This class teaches the skills needed to draw detailed and expressive portraits, focusing on facial features and emotions. Students will work on capturing realistic expressions in their artwork.
C2: Advanced Perspectives
Students will learn advanced perspective techniques, such as two-point and three-point perspectives, to create complex spatial representations. The course focuses on architectural challenges and rendering buildings and interiors.
C3: Conceptual Drawing
This class introduces students to abstract and thematic elements in drawing. They will learn how to express complex ideas visually, using creative techniques to enrich their artwork with meaning.
C4: Personal Style Development
Students will explore different materials and methods to develop their unique artistic voice. The class encourages experimentation and the discovery of signature techniques that reflect individual expression.
C5: Preparing for Display
This course teaches students how to curate and present their artwork for exhibitions. They will learn the fundamentals of selecting, arranging, and displaying works professionally.
Level B: Intermediate Drawing
B1: Detail in Shading
This class delves deeper into shading techniques, allowing students to create textures and define forms with more detail. Through practical exercises, they will enhance their ability to represent light and shadow.
B2: Dynamic Figures
Students will focus on capturing movement and emotion in their figure drawings. The class covers quick sketching techniques and introduces basic anatomy to improve the realism of their work.
B3: Color Exploration
This class expands students’ knowledge of color theory and mixing techniques. They will learn to use color to influence the mood and emotional impact of their artwork.
B4: Composition Creation
Students will explore the principles of creating balanced compositions using visual elements and negative space. The class will teach how to guide the viewer’s eye and convey intended emotions in artwork.
B5: Experimenting with Media
In this course, students will explore various artistic media, such as charcoal and ink, to create unique textural effects. They will be encouraged to experiment and combine media for creative expression.
Painting Program
Our Elementary Art Program for ages 6-12 offers a rich curriculum that introduces young learners to a wide array of artistic disciplines. From painting and sculpture to printmaking and more, children explore various forms of artistic expression through hands-on activities that are both fun and educational. The program is crafted to stimulate curiosity, develop artistic skills, and enhance critical thinking through creative arts.
Level A: Introduction to Painting
A1: Paint Play
This class introduces students to the fundamentals of color theory and color mixing. Students will experiment with blending primary, secondary, and tertiary colors to express mood and atmosphere in their artwork.
A2: Color Mixing Lab
Students will explore primary and secondary color mixing through hands-on activities. They will develop their understanding of color relationships and how to enhance the atmosphere in their art.
A3: Textures in Painting
Students will learn how to create textures using various tools like palette knives and brushes. They will explore impasto techniques to add depth and dimension to their paintings.
A4: Beginning with Landscapes
This class teaches students how to paint basic natural elements such as trees, water, and skies. They will learn the importance of horizon lines in creating realistic landscapes.
A5: Observational Painting
Students will improve their ability to paint from still life setups by focusing on accurate color reproduction and detail observation. The class emphasizes developing focus and attention to detail.
Level C: Mastering Painting
C1: Portrait Painting
This class focuses on enhancing students’ portrait painting skills, emphasizing accurate color and light handling. Students will learn to capture subtle human expressions in their portraits.
C2: Color Mastery
Students will deepen their understanding of color theory and learn to create sophisticated color schemes. They will explore how color can be used to set moods and create emotional impact in their artwork.
C3: Creative Painting Techniques
This class encourages students to experiment with unconventional painting techniques. They will develop their own artistic voice by exploring unique methods and tools in painting.
C4: Thematic Painting Projects
Students will create cohesive painting projects around a central theme, incorporating narrative elements to tell stories. They will learn how to plan and execute thematic artwork effectively.
C5: Art Show Preparation
This class prepares students to organize their own art exhibition, covering everything from selecting artwork to designing the layout. They will learn professional presentation techniques to enhance their art shows.
Level B: Building Painting Techniques
B1: Advanced Watercolor Techniques
This class focuses on mastering color mixing and applying advanced watercolor techniques. Students will explore how to manipulate colors to create moods and enhance the atmosphere in their paintings.
B2: Acrylics in Depth
Students will engage with the properties of acrylics, learning blending, layering, and texturing techniques. They will experiment with acrylic mediums to create various effects in their artwork.
B3: Figurative Painting
This class focuses on painting human and animal figures with anatomical accuracy. Students will also learn to express emotions and character through details in their figurative work.
B4: Exploring Landscapes
Students will explore techniques to capture different landscapes, focusing on using atmospheric perspective to create depth and realism. They will develop an appreciation for diverse natural environments.
B5: Mixed Media Painting
Students will combine painting with materials like collage and textiles to create layered compositions. The course encourages creative experimentation and exploration of different media.
Printmaking Program
Our Elementary Art Program for ages 6-12 offers a rich curriculum that introduces young learners to a wide array of artistic disciplines. From painting and sculpture to printmaking and more, children explore various forms of artistic expression through hands-on activities that are both fun and educational. The program is crafted to stimulate curiosity, develop artistic skills, and enhance critical thinking through creative arts.
Level A: Exploring Printmaking
A1: Printmaking Fun
Students will explore simple block printing techniques to create repeat patterns on paper and fabric. This class introduces carving, inking, and pressing prints, fostering creativity and technical skills in printmaking.
A2: Stencil Basics
This class teaches students how to design, cut, and use stencils to create consistent designs. They will gain hands-on experience with stencil techniques, learning how to apply stencils across various surfaces.
A3: Screen Printing Start
Students will learn the basics of screen printing, including setting up a screen, preparing stencils, and applying ink to create layered prints. They will develop confidence in producing multi-layered prints on different surfaces.
A4: Introduction to Etching
Using safe, non-toxic materials like wax plates, students will explore basic etching techniques to create intricate designs. They will experience the tactile process of carving and pressing their designs onto paper.
A5: Printmaking Combinations
Students will experiment with combining different printmaking techniques, such as block printing, stenciling, and rubbing, to create multi-layered prints. This class encourages creative experimentation with various methods.
Level C: Advanced Printmaking Techniques
C1: Mastering Color in Prints
Students will learn to apply advanced color theory to printmaking, focusing on layering colors to create depth and vibrancy. They will experiment with color schemes to enhance their prints.
C2: Complex Print Projects
This class teaches students how to manage large-scale print projects by combining multiple printmaking techniques, such as block printing, screen printing, and stenciling. The emphasis is on coordination and layering.
C3: Innovative Printmaking
Students will experiment with unconventional materials and techniques, incorporating found objects and textures into their prints. This class fosters creativity and encourages thinking beyond traditional printmaking methods.
C4: Thematic Printmaking
Students will develop a series of prints centered around a specific theme, using printmaking to tell stories. The focus is on using composition, color, and symbols to convey narrative through visual art.
C5: Printmaking for Exhibition
This class prepares students to present their prints professionally, focusing on matting, framing, and curating their own exhibition. Students will gain confidence in showcasing their work to peers and audiences.
Level B: Developing Printmaking Skills
B1: Advanced Relief Techniques
Students will carve detailed designs into linoleum or wood blocks, mastering multi-color relief printing. This class focuses on precision carving and layering colors to create vibrant prints.
B2: Detailed Screen Printing
Students will refine their screen printing skills, learning how to create precise stencils and maintain fine lines. This class emphasizes consistency and detail in producing high-quality prints.
B3: Etching Expansion
This class expands on basic etching techniques by introducing layered and textured prints, focusing on non-toxic methods to create tonal variations. Students will explore multi-layered designs and develop intricate etchings.
B4: WoodCut Introduction
Students will learn the fundamentals of woodcut printmaking, carving designs into wood blocks and printing them. The focus is on clean carving and even ink application for detailed prints.
B5: Print Series Development
This class guides students through creating a cohesive series of prints centered around a theme. They will explore various printmaking techniques while maintaining visual and thematic consistency.
Fiber Art and Textile Program
Our Elementary Art Program for ages 6-12 offers a rich curriculum that introduces young learners to a wide array of artistic disciplines. From painting and sculpture to printmaking and more, children explore various forms of artistic expression through hands-on activities that are both fun and educational. The program is crafted to stimulate curiosity, develop artistic skills, and enhance critical thinking through creative arts.
Level A: Fiber and Textiles Beginnings
A1: Weaving Basics
Introduces young artists to basic weaving on a loom, focusing on creating simple patterns with yarn or thread. This course enhances hand-eye coordination and pattern recognition through fun, hands-on weaving activities.
A2: Basic Embroidery Techniques
Students learn foundational embroidery stitches and apply them to complete simple projects. This course emphasizes patience, precision, and attention to detail, helping to develop fine motor skills.
A3: Felting Fun
Focuses on creating basic shapes using wool felting techniques, allowing students to explore the tactile properties of wool. The course encourages three-dimensional thinking and tactile sensitivity.
A4: Dyeing Discoveries
Introduces fabric dyeing techniques, teaching students to apply and experiment with color on fabric while understanding color fastness. Hands-on experimentation fosters curiosity and creativity.
A5: Simple Sewing
Teaches students basic sewing skills, including how to use a needle and thread to complete simple sewing projects. The course builds fine motor skills and introduces the mechanics of sewing.
Level C: Mastering Fiber Arts
C1: Textile Art Projects
Focuses on creating sophisticated textile art using multi-layered weaving, embroidery, and fabric manipulation techniques. Students refine their technical and creative skills through long-term textile projects.
C2: Embroidery Mastery
Students master advanced embroidery techniques, experimenting with intricate stitches and patterns to create large-scale projects. This course focuses on both technical precision and artistic expression.
C3: Fiber Art and Sculpture Works
Explores the intersection of fiber art and sculpture, allowing students to create three-dimensional fiber-based works. The course emphasizes creative exploration and technical mastery of sculptural techniques.
C4: Thematic Fiber Art Projects
Guides students in developing a thematic series of fiber art pieces, using various textile techniques to express a cohesive concept. The course integrates technical and conceptual skills for thematic development.
C5: Fiber and Textile Art for Exhibition
Prepares students to professionally exhibit their fiber and textile artworks, including mounting, framing, and labeling. The course culminates in a student-led exhibition that showcases their creative work.
Level B: Expanding Fiber Skills
B1: Complex Weaving
Expands on basic weaving skills, introducing more intricate designs and advanced weaving techniques. This course enhances students’ spatial reasoning and ability to follow detailed patterns.
B2: Advanced Embroidery
Students develop their embroidery skills by creating intricate designs using a variety of stitches. The course encourages artistic expression through thread color and pattern selection.
B3: Felting Forms
Advances students' felting techniques by focusing on creating more detailed and complex three-dimensional felt sculptures. The course emphasizes precision and patience in sculptural creation.
B4: Creative Dye Techniques
Teaches students advanced dyeing methods, including resist dyeing and ice dyeing, to create visually striking fabric designs. The course encourages experimentation and creativity with color effects.
B5: Sewing Projects
Guides students through larger, more complex sewing projects, incorporating various fabrics and materials. The course develops both sewing skills and project management abilities.
Sculpture Program
Our Elementary Art Program for ages 6-12 offers a rich curriculum that introduces young learners to a wide array of artistic disciplines. From painting and sculpture to printmaking and more, children explore various forms of artistic expression through hands-on activities that are both fun and educational. The program is crafted to stimulate curiosity, develop artistic skills, and enhance critical thinking through creative arts.
Level A: Sculpture Starters
A1: Modeling and Molding
Focuses on clay modeling and simple mold-making techniques, introducing students to shaping and forming clay and creating molds for replicas. Students develop basic technical skills and a foundational understanding of form, volume, and texture.
A2: Carving Basics
Teaches carving techniques using soft materials like soap and soft wood, emphasizing subtractive sculpting to create forms by removing material. The course builds on the understanding of three-dimensional forms and surface design.
A3: Assemblage Eco-Art
Introduces eco-friendly assemblage art, using recyclable materials like bottle tops, cardboard, and plastics to create sculptures. Students learn about balance, composition, and sustainability through creative repurposing of materials.
A4: Cardboard Sculpture
Uses recyclable cardboard as a primary medium for creating three-dimensional sculptures, teaching students techniques like cutting, folding, and assembling while exploring form, volume, and balance.
A5: Diorama and Model Making
Guides students in creating dioramas and miniature models, focusing on architecture and sculptural elements. Students explore scale, structure, and composition as they build detailed models of real or imaginative spaces.
Level C: Advanced Sculpture Techniques
C1: Sculpture Challenges
Encourages students to combine multiple sculptural techniques in complex projects. Students develop problem-solving and project management skills through intricate assignments that blend modeling, carving, and assemblage.
C2: Large-Scale Sculpture and Installation Art
Guides students in designing and constructing large-scale sculptures and installations, focusing on structural design, material selection, and presentation for significant artistic works.
C3: Advanced Material Techniques
Introduces students to unconventional materials and techniques in sculpture, encouraging experimentation with mixed media, found objects, and innovative sculpting methods.
C4: Advanced Dioramas
Focuses on creating intricate dioramas with advanced storytelling techniques. Students learn to use materials, textures, and lighting to enhance their dioramas and convey detailed narratives.
C5: Sculpture Exhibition Skills
Teaches students how to prepare their sculptures for exhibition, including mounting, labeling, and presenting their artwork. Students develop professional communication skills to engage with an audience during exhibitions.
Level B: Developing Sculpture Skills
B1: Intermediate Modeling
Expands on basic modeling techniques, introducing more advanced methods and materials like wire, clay, and soft wood. Students refine their skills in creating complex, detailed models.
B2: Advanced Carving
Teaches advanced carving techniques using durable materials such as medium-density foam, cork, and basswood. Students develop precision and control while mastering intricate designs in harder surfaces.
B3: Assemblage Eco-Art Expansion
Builds on eco-art assemblage techniques, encouraging students to work with a broader range of materials like fabric, metal, and wood scraps to create larger, more complex sculptures.
B4: Casting Complexities
Introduces advanced casting techniques using materials like plaster, clay, and eco-friendly resins. Students learn to create detailed molds and experiment with different casting methods.
B5: Kinetic Sculptures
Explores kinetic art by teaching students how to create sculptures with moving parts. They learn the principles of balance, tension, and motion to design interactive and dynamic sculptures.
Comics Program
Our Elementary Art Program for ages 6-12 offers a rich curriculum that introduces young learners to a wide array of artistic disciplines. From painting and sculpture to printmaking and more, children explore various forms of artistic expression through hands-on activities that are both fun and educational. The program is crafted to stimulate curiosity, develop artistic skills, and enhance critical thinking through creative arts.
Level A: Comics Introduction
A1: Character Basics
Introduces young artists to comic character creation, focusing on designing characters with basic shapes, facial expressions, and body language to convey personality and emotion.
A2: Storyboarding Start
Teaches students how to organize comic stories into panels, focusing on visual storytelling, narrative flow, and guiding the reader through the sequence of events.
A3: Inking Intro
Introduces basic inking techniques, emphasizing line quality, shading, and transitioning pencil sketches to finished inked drawings.
A4: Storytelling, Narratives, and Text in Comics
Explores how to integrate text and visuals to create compelling narratives, focusing on the role of dialogue, captions, and sound effects in comic storytelling.
A5: Color and Tone in Comics
Teaches basic color application techniques to enhance mood, tone, and emotional impact in comic panels, with an emphasis on color theory and visual storytelling.
Level C: Mastering Comic Art
C1: Advanced Character Development and Dynamic Poses
Challenges students to create complex characters with detailed backstories and depict them in dynamic, action-packed poses while maintaining design consistency.
C2: Complex Story Arcs and Subplots in Comics
Teaches how to weave intricate storylines and subplots, focusing on character development, pacing, and maintaining reader engagement over longer narratives.
C3: Advanced Inking and Coloring Techniques
Explores refined inking and coloring methods, emphasizing the use of texture, depth, shading, and contrast to create professional-quality comic pages.
C4: Graphic Novel Creation: From Concept to Completion
Guides students through the entire graphic novel creation process, from initial concept development to final inking and coloring, focusing on project management and long-form storytelling.
C5: The Comic Showcase
Teaches students how to prepare their comics for presentation, curating a professional portfolio, and developing communication skills to showcase their work in a final exhibition or portfolio presentation.
Level B: Developing Comics Skills
B1: Character Development
Focuses on creating detailed and consistent characters with backstories, refined expressions, and body language, ensuring continuity across different scenes.
B2: Storyline Expansions
Guides students in developing more complex comic narratives, incorporating multiple story arcs and subplots to create dynamic, multi-layered stories.
B3: Graphic Novel Creation
Teaches the process of creating a graphic novel, from structuring a long-form narrative to maintaining consistency in character design and visual themes across chapters.
B4: Dynamic Storyboarding and Layouts
Explores advanced storyboarding techniques, teaching students how to create dynamic layouts that enhance pacing, guide the reader’s eye, and depict action effectively.
B5: Experimenting with Comics and Color Mediums
Encourages students to experiment with various color mediums (colored pencils, watercolors, pastels) to enhance texture, mood, and depth in their comic art.
Browse Classes: Use the search options below to filter by age, skill level, price, or medium. If desired, you can access the complete course catalog and progressive course sequences, with downloadable plans, to help identify the appropriate path or pattern that aligns with your artistic development and skill level.
Register Online: Once you've found the class that speaks to your creative interests, register online to secure your spot.
Fall 2024 Classes
Art Classes at East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
We are proud to share fine art classes at East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation.
This year, we are sharing courses for preschool, elementary, and adults.
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 hello@cultivategrandrapids.org
"My daughter absolutely loves the art classes at Cultivate! The variety of projects keeps her interested, and she enjoys trying out new materials and techniques every week. The teachers are so supportive and do a great job of encouraging each child’s unique style. It's wonderful to see her excitement about art and watch her confidence grow as she develops new skills. This program has been such a positive experience for her!"
~Parent of an eight year old
"I love going to the art classes at Cultivate! We get to try so many cool things. The teachers are really nice and help us if we don’t know what to do. I like that we can make mistakes and try new things without worrying about getting it perfect. My favorite part is showing my art to my family at the showcases—they always tell me how proud they are. I can't wait for the next class!"
~Nine-year old student
""Finding a quality art program for my homeschooling kids has been a challenge, but Cultivate’s art classes have been a game-changer for us. The classes are diverse and engaging, allowing my kids to explore different art forms in a way that's fun and educational. I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in their creativity and problem-solving skills, and they’re always eager to share what they've made. The program has really enriched our homeschooling experience by providing a creative outlet that we couldn’t offer at home.""
~Homeschooling Dad
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