Education

The Arizona Museum for Youth (AMY) provides visitors with an in-depth experience like no other in viewing, appreciating, and creating art. AMY is an essential provider of art education fundamentals, as well as a center for creative play, key to neurological growth and development. Seeking to instill a passion for lifelong learning in art and art appreciation for all of its visitors, AMY is a place where caregivers and children, adults, and teens learn about the techniques, processes, and materials used to create art while discovering more about themselves and our world through self-expression, hands-on learning, and participant-centered programs.

The Education Program at the Arizona Museum for Youth helps visitors of all ages to find inspiring connections between art and life by promoting lifelong learning of art, art education fundamentals, art appreciation, and transformative learning experiences in the arts. We do this through four initiatives:

• Ensuring Accessibility

• Supporting the Arts in K-12 and Higher Education

• Partnering with Community Organizations

• Enhancing Lifelong Learning

Through our dynamic array of programs, exhibitions, and workshops, we invite you to join us for an artful experience at the museum!

Registration for Summer workshops is open. To register: On the Web: WEBTRAC
By Phone: City of Mesa TeleTrac system with household ID at 480.644.4449
Questions and household numbers: 480.644.3689 or darlene.zajda@cityofmesa.org.

Classes for children 2 to 5 years of age (unless otherwise stated). Participants must attend with a parent or caregiver.

FALL PROGRAMS

Registration begins August 15, 2008
 

Surf's Up (944205-02)
Saturday, August 2, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Children will explore sand and water while using a variety of techniques to create masterpieces from the sea. Parent or caregiver participation is required. Fee is $10 for museum members and $12 for nonmembers.

Creative Colors (944204-01)
Saturday, August 16, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Children can explore the basics of color blending with a variety of colorful materials including tempera, watercolors, pastels, finger paints, and much more. Parent or caregiver participation is required. Fee is $10 for museum members and $12 for nonmembers.

Messy Creations (944202-02)
Saturday, August 23, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Being creative is a messy job and we are going to do it! Children will have a fun, multi-sensory experience putting together a variety of materials to create a unique masterpiece. Activities include painting, paper mache, sculpting, and much more. Smocks will be provided for children. Parent or caregiver participation is required. Fee is $10 for museum members and $12 for nonmembers.

Little Artists Studio (941211-01, 02)
Saturday, September 20, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, October 14, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Parents, bring your children to our open art studio and create with your kids! Our studio is filled with fabulous art supplies, for you to create a variety of projects during this parent-directed activity. A facilitator will be present. Ages 1- 5 years. Fee is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers.

Trash to Treasures (941203-01, 02)
Saturday, October 11, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Saturday, November 13, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Enroll in our creative class for the savvy, young recyclers. Looking at artworks from Deja View: Recycled Materials in Art exhibition, this fun class will show you how to turn an ordinary object into a work of art! Fee is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers.

Parent-Tot Music Time (941252-01)
Wednesdays, October 1 - November 5, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. (6-weeks)
This basic class will encourage musical competency through songs, games, and the use of instruments. Present in collaboration with Phoenix Conservatory of Music. Ages 6 months - 4 years. Fee is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers.

"Boo"tiful Paintings (941205-01)
Saturday, October 25, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Children and their caregivers will use paint in a variety of ways and on an assortment of objects to create "boo"tiful projects for fall. Children will create with watercolors, printmaking, and will paint a pumpkin to take home. Fee is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Way to Glow: Art in the Dark! (941204-01, 02)
Saturday, November 8, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Friday, December 5, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Looking at The Glow Series by Scott McNeill exhibition, children and their caregivers will create a variety of projects with glow-in-the-dark materials such as paint, crayons, markers, chalk, and clay. A black light area will be available for them to see their creations glow! Fee is $13 for members, and $18 for nonmembers.

Messy Creations (941201-01)
Saturday, November 15, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Being creative is a messy job and we are going to do it! Children will have a fun, multi-sensory experience putting together a variety of materials to create a unique masterpiece. Activities include painting, paper mache, sculpting, and much more. Smocks will be provided for children. Fee is $13 for members and $18 for nonmembers.

Tot Art (941206-01)
Saturday, November 22, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Tots will create fun paintings, sculptures, and collages using basic art principles. Fee is $13 for museum members and $18 for nonmembers.

Sculpt and Create (941207-01)
Saturday, December 13, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Children will have fun as they sculpt and create one-of-a-kind 3-dimensional objects using a variety of interesting materials, such as wood, foam, paper, clay and much more! Fee is $13 for members and $18 for nonmembers.

Art's Kiddie Kitchen (941202-01)
Wednesday, December 17, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Join us for an exciting one-day workshop where children and their caregivers create edible art masterpieces. Each child will take home a project and a recipe. Fee is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Holiday Tot Art (941208-01)
Saturday, December 20, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Children and their caregivers will collaborate to create fantastic seasonal and holiday artworks using a variety of special materials. Fee is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.
 

Classes for children 5 to 7 years of age, and an adult must accompany those under 6.

Classes for kids 6 to 10 years of age. No parent participation required.

Painting (941151-01)
Saturdays, September 27 - October 18, 2-3:30 p.m. (4-weeks)
Express your artistic spirit and explore painting techniques in acrylic and watercolor. Looking at artworks in Dia de los Muertos and Deja View: Recycled Materials in Art, learn to use line, color, shape and texture to create exciting works of art.  Ages 6-10 years. Fee is $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers.

Folk Art Badge for Girl Scouts (941301-01, 02)
Saturday, September 27, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Earn your Girl Scout Folk Art Badge in a day! Scouts complete six artistic activities and tour the Dia de los Muertos exhibition. Please note: groups of 4 or more must be accompanied by an adults.  Girls Scouts in 4th - 6th grades. Fee is $12 for members and nonmembers.

Growing Young Musicians (941152-01)
Saturdays, September 27 - November 1, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (6-weeks)
Children will learn about playing instruments in every musical family including strings, percussion, melodic percussion and winds. Children will learn the basics of reading music through games and fun activities and make instruments using recycled or household materials. Students will play their instruments while exploring music from around the world. Ages 5-8 years. Presented in collaboration with Phoenix Conservatory of Music. Fee is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers.

Special FX in Art (941153-01)
Saturdays, November 8, 15, 22, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Looking at The Glow Series by Scott McNeill exhibition, participants will create artworks using special materials that yield extraordinary results. Different materials and techniques will be explored to allow for maximum effects, such as 3-D art, extreme perspective, color relationships and photo luminescence. Drawing ability is not necessary. All materials will be provided. Ages 8-10 years. Fee is $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers.

Special Workshops

Night at the Museum: Glow in the Dark (941101-01)
Saturday, October 18, 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Drawing inspiration from The Glow Series by Scott McNeill exhibition, participants will stay late into the night at AMY to create artworks with glow paint, try shadow puppetry and watch Spy Kids 3: Game Over in 3-D with plenty of popcorn and 3-D glasses! A pizza dinner and all materials are provided. Please note: Parents/Caregivers will be required to sign a waiver of expectation and liability at time of registration. Ages 8-10 years. Fee is $85 for members and $105 for nonmembers (fee includes pizza dinner, popcorn, 3-D glasses, and all art-making materials).

Lifelong Learning Programs for Adults

Artful Readings
 

(941102-01)
Wednesday, October 8, 2:00-3:00 p.m.  - Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay

(941102-02)
Wednesday, November 12, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Day of the Dead & Other Mortal Reflections by F. Gonzalez-Crussi
 

(941102-03)
Wednesday, December 10, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - The Place You Love is Gone by Melissa Holbrook Pierson

A new book discussion club at AMY for adults of all ages! Be a part of the discussion as we read selected art-related non-fiction and fiction inspired from select works in our Dia de los Muertos and Deja View: Recycled Materials in Art exhibitions. Please purchase and read your book in advance. This program series is presented in collaboration with Changing Hands Bookstore, who is generously offering Artful Reading program titles at a 10% discount 4-weeks prior to the program date. Ages: adults. Fee is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers for each individual session.

"Art Basics" for Adults: Artmaking at Home (941154-01)
Wednesdays, September 10 - October 1, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (4-weeks)
Have you ever wanted to know more about art and artmaking? This new series provides adults with background in the basic elements of art and principles of design. A diversity of media will be explored to develop comfort with art materials and promote art-making activities at home. Each week we will enjoy media such as tempera and acrylic paint, watercolors, pencils, clay, and collage, as we look at artworks in the galleries for inspiration. Ages: Adults. Fee is $75 for members and $80 for nonmembers.

Intergenerational Learning Programs

Sugar Skulls and Catrina Figurines (941155-01)
Saturdays, October 25 and November 1, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. (2-weeks)
El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), is a holiday celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November primarily in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage, with many artful traditions honoring the deceased. Looking at artworks in the Dia de los Muertos exhibition, participants will create a 3-dimensional sugar skull and/or catrina figurine. Ages: Parents/Caregivers of any age, and children ages 8 and up. Fee is $38 for members and $43 for nonmembers.