Celebrating everyone’s creative potential.
Arts and Humanities programs at the Y celebrate that potential, giving opportunities for people of all ages to explore their creative side.
Select a location to filter activities and programs.
Arts and Humanities programs help us understand others through their languages, histories and cultures, teach empathy, and help everyone learn how to deal critically and logically with subjective, complex information. Encouraging creativity in childhood is a playful and fun way to develop the informed, critical citizens of tomorrow.
Upcoming Early Childhood & Youth Arts and Humanities Programs
Ceramics/Pottery – Youth
Ceramics/Pottery – Youth at South Oakland Family YMCA
Learn how to create and paint different ceramic pieces by hand, with air drying clay.
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Photography and Movie Making
Photography and Movie Making at Downriver Family YMCA
Y Media Works Fall program
Founded in 2008, Y Media Works is a fun and engaging program that provides youth the opportunity to learn photography, content creation, and video production while making friends and working with experienced media arts professionals.
No class Thanksgiving week
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Preschool Art
Preschool Art at Downriver Family YMCA
Each week your preschooler will make a beautiful piece of art. We will use different mediums to allow our little ones the opportunities to express themselves through art.
Age Group:
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Preschool Art Class
Preschool Art Class at Birmingham Family YMCA
Over 6 weeks students will explore a wide variety of art techniques and mediums to show off their creativity. A local Teaching Artist will guide students through creative processes to explore the wide world of art using various materials that may include colored pencils, markers, watercolors, paints, air dry clay, and more!
YMCA Member Cost: $75
Non-member Cost: $95
Age Group:
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STEAM Club
STEAM Club at Farmington Family YMCA
Whether you are looking to sharpen your skills, need a little more practice, do more projects, or just enjoy STEAM, then come join us! Each week will be a different STEAM activity/project to take home. Participants will combine science, technology, engineering, art and math into each activity along with problem solving and critical thinking skills based on their age group.
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Science is Fun
Science is Fun at Downriver Family YMCA
Each week will be a different STEAM activity/project to take home. Participants will combine science, technology, engineering, math and art into each activity along with problem solving and critical thinking skills based on their age group.
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Science is Fun – Preschool
Science is Fun – Preschool at Downriver Family YMCA
Each week will be a different STEAM activity/project to take home. Participants will combine science, technology, engineering, math and art into each activity along with problem solving and critical thinking skills based on their age group.
Age Group:
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Days & Times:
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Tiny Chefs – Level 1
Tiny Chefs – Level 1 at Downriver Family YMCA
Each week children will follow a simple “picture” recipe to create a new healthy snack or food dish. Recipes change with each new session to introduce youth to new foods and to provide opportunity to practice and learn new skills.
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Tiny Chefs – Preschool
Tiny Chefs – Preschool at Downriver Family YMCA
Each week children will follow a simple “picture” recipe to create a new healthy snack or food dish. Recipes change with each new session to introduce youth to new foods and to provide opportunity to practice and learn new skills.
Age Group:
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Days & Times:
Register
Tiny Chefs Cooking – Level 1
Tiny Chefs Cooking – Level 1 at Farmington Family YMCA
We’re cooking up fun for your kids! All kids ages 6-12 are invited to join us to create a new snack or food dish. Recipes change weekly to introduce youth to new foods and provide learning opportunities to practice new skills. Participants will learn how to use basic kitchen gadgets, small appliances (hand mixer, blender), practice measuring, blending, rolling, cutting, and layering. Participants will practice safe use of equipment, proper sanitary procedures, and will be encouraged to use manners.
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Tiny Chefs Cooking- Level 1
Tiny Chefs Cooking- Level 1 at Farmington Family YMCA
We’re cooking up fun for your kids! All kids ages 6-12 are invited to join us to create a new snack or food dish. Recipes change weekly to introduce youth to new foods and provide learning opportunities to practice new skills. Participants will learn how to use basic kitchen gadgets, small appliances (hand mixer, blender), practice measuring, blending, rolling, cutting, and layering. Participants will practice safe use of equipment, proper sanitary procedures, and will be encouraged to use manners.
Age Group:
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Days & Times:
Register
Tiny Chefs Cooking – Level 2
Tiny Chefs Cooking – Level 2 at Farmington Family YMCA
We’re cooking up fun for your kids! All kids ages 6-12 who have taken Tiny Chef’s Level 1 will be learning more advanced cooking skills and complex dishes. Participants will practice safe use of equipment, proper sanitary procedures, and will be encouraged to use manners.
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Youth Art
Youth Art at Downriver Family YMCA
Each week your young person will make a beautiful piece of art. We will use different mediums to allow our young ones the opportunities to express themselves through art.
Age Group:
Dates:
Days & Times:
Register
Youth Art Class
Youth Art Class at Birmingham Family YMCA
Over 6 weeks students will explore a wide variety of art techniques and mediums to show off their creativity. A local Teaching Artist will guide students through creative processes to explore the wide world of art using various materials that may include colored pencils, markers, watercolors, paints, air dry clay, and more!
YMCA Member Cost: $75
Non-member Cost: $95
Age Group:
Dates:
Days & Times:
Register
Youth Crochet Class
Youth Crochet Class at Carls Family YMCA
Learn to Crochet- Explore fun and creative crocheting class for children. Learn new patterns, skills and techniques. Students will learn basic terminology and how to start crocheting! No experience necessary.
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Upcoming Adults Arts and Humanities Programs
Art for Adults: 2D Exploration
Art for Adults: 2D Exploration at Farmington Family YMCA
Do you remember going to art class as a kid? Well now you can as an adult! This class is for those with or without any art experience to come create together. Each week the teaching artist will show students a variety of 2D materials and techniques. Every session students will explore different mediums including printmaking techniques, painting, and abstract drawing. The teaching artist will work with students and gear lessons towards their interests along the way. So join us to come play with art materials, maybe get a little messy, and create with others!
Member Price: $85
Non-Member Price: $100
55+ Discount: 10% off
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Ceramics – Open Studio October 5th
Ceramics – Open Studio October 5th at Boll Family YMCA
This is for current or former Y Arts Ceramics/Pottery Students only. If you have taken our 6 week Hand-building & Wheel Throwing class and you want to get back in the studio to create again you are invited to attend an open studio session! For $25 you can get up to 5lbs of clay to work with (on the wheel or hand building) or glaze 2 pieces between 12pm-2:30pm! (If there is something else you have in mind email jessica.cooper@ymcadetroit.org and we can work something out)
Age Group:
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Ceramics – Open Studio October 19th
Ceramics – Open Studio October 19th at Boll Family YMCA
This is for current or former Y Arts Ceramics/Pottery Students only. If you have taken our 6 week Hand-building & Wheel Throwing class and you want to get back in the studio to create again you are invited to attend an open studio session! For $25 you can get up to 5lbs of clay to work with (on the wheel or hand building) or glaze 2 pieces between 12pm-2:30pm! (If there is something else you have in mind email jessica.cooper@ymcadetroit.org and we can work something out)
Age Group:
Dates:
Days & Times:
Register
Ceramics – Open Studio Sept 21st
Ceramics – Open Studio Sept 21st at Boll Family YMCA
This is for current or former Y Arts Ceramics/Pottery Students only. If you have taken our 6 week Hand-building & Wheel Throwing class and you want to get back in the studio to create again you are invited to attend an open studio session! For $25 you can get up to 5lbs of clay to work with (on the wheel or hand building) or glaze 2 pieces between 12pm-2:30pm! (If there is something else you have in mind email jessica.cooper@ymcadetroit.org and we can work something out)
Age Group:
Dates:
Days & Times:
Register
Ceramics – Wheel-Throwing & Hand Building
Ceramics – Wheel-Throwing & Hand Building at Boll Family YMCA
Join us for this 6 session ceramics class! We will dive into the world of using the Pottery Wheel as well as learn Hand Building techniques. On average most students will leave the class having made at least 4 pieces (some may make more, some may make less, it matters on the size and details of the pieces.) Students will have plenty of options to curate what they make to their own interests.
The class will also offer two opportunities to come to Open Studio Time on Saturdays from 12-2:30 at no charge during the class.
*Some pieces may need to be picked up after the last class, pick up will be arranged at that time.
YMCA Member Cost: $165
Non-member Cost: $200
Dates: Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
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Ceramics Workshop – Jack O' Lantern Votive Candle Holder
Ceramics Workshop – Jack O' Lantern Votive Candle Holder at Boll Family YMCA
Join us for this Ceramics Workshop and learn to create a ceramic Jack O’ Lantern for a candle that will be ready just in time for Spooky Season!
Come get into the fall spirit (apple cider will be available to sip on while creating)
(candle will be included with pick up)
6:00-8:30
Note: The pick up for mugs will be 2-4 weeks after the workshop. You will get sent information about pick up times.
YMCA Member Cost: $25
Non-member Cost: $30
Age Group:
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Creating Watercolor Landscapes
Creating Watercolor Landscapes at Farmington Family YMCA
Learn to paint your very own landscape. In this class you will be shown how to paint different elements of a landscape. It will begin by going over the basics such as essential supplies and how to manage the materials. The class will then explore various watercolor techniques such as creating a wash, glazing, lifting color and more. You will then learn stand along landscape elements such as skies, trees, grasses, and rocks. You will learn about the textures in a terrain and even how to use kitchen materials to achieve them.
All materials included!
YMCA Member Cost: $100
Non-member Cost: $120
55+ Discount: 10%
Age Group:
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Register
Mosaic Class
Mosaic Class at Farmington Family YMCA
Learn how to make your own mosaic piece for your home, garden, or for a gift. Teaching Artist Rebecca Berdy will teach students the elements of design used to create a mosaic piece, layout techniques, and more! Learn about the various types of tesserae (mosaic pieces,) and how to grout your piece to finish it. See our instagram @yartsdetroit to see some former mosaic student creations
All materials are provided!
YMCA Member Cost: $100
Non-member Cost: $120
55+ Discount: 10%
Age Group:
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Upcoming Family Arts and Humanities Programs
Creative Connections (Ages 3-6 + Parent/Guardian)
Creative Connections (Ages 3-6 + Parent/Guardian) at Boll Family YMCA
Welcome to our Monthly Creative Connections Workshop! This is for adult family members and their young artists (Ages 3-6) to create pieces of art together! October’s piece will feature a fall favorite! So bring your young artist and create together!
Age Group:
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Pinch Pot Pumpkin – Ceramics Saturdays (all ages)
Pinch Pot Pumpkin – Ceramics Saturdays (all ages) at Boll Family YMCA
Welcome to our Monthly Family Ceramics Saturday workshop! This is for family members, friends, or individuals to come learn how to create a ceramic piece alongside a teaching artist. No experience is necessary, but those with experience are invite to join as well!* This months project will be to create a pinch pot pumpkin. Workshop attendees will create a piece from start to finish.
*All artists under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult enrolled in the class
*Those under 5 are welcome to attend for free to create alongside an adult registered in the class
Note: Pick up for project will be 2-3 weeks after the workshop. You will be emailed a list of times you can pick up your piece, or if those time don’t work for you other pick up arrangements can be made.
Age Group:
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Days & Times:
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TBD – Ceramics Saturdays (all ages)
TBD – Ceramics Saturdays (all ages) at Boll Family YMCA
Welcome to our Monthly Family Ceramics Saturday workshop! This is for family members, friends, or individuals to come learn how to create a ceramic piece alongside a teaching artist. No experience is necessary, but those with experience are invite to join as well!* This months project will be announced in October of 2024. Workshop attendees will create a piece from start to finish.
*All artists under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult enrolled in the class
*Those under 5 are welcome to attend for free to create alongside an adult registered in the class
Note: Pick up for project will be 2-3 weeks after the workshop. You will be emailed a list of times you can pick up your piece, or if those time don’t work for you other pick up arrangements can be made.
Age Group:
Dates:
Days & Times:
Register