YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

Arts and Humanities

youth in a YMCA photography class

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.

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

Photography and Movie Making

This is for students with or without experience!

Participants in the Photography & Movie Making Class will learn the basics of photography and how to create video content with meaning. They will work in small production teams to create their own unique pieces which will be shown on a big screen during a final showcase in Spring 2027 (date for showcase will be determined soon)

NO CLASS WEDNESDAY 11/25

The Y Media Works 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.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
Sep 30 – Dec 9, 2026 W 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Downriver Family YMCA Teen / 10–15 years Register

Short Film Workshop for Teens

Join us for a film making workshop to learn about short film creation and our upcoming Spring 2027 short film contest for teens (with prizes!!! Including cash gift cards and more!) Teens will learn how to use critical thinking and problem solving to create impactful stories and message in a short video creation.
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
Nov 12, 2026 Th 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM Farmington Family YMCA Teen / 12–17 years Register
Dec 3, 2026 Th 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM Farmington Family YMCA Teen / 12–17 years Register

Youth Art

Over 4 weeks students will explore a wide variety of art techniques and mediums to show off their creativity. Students with work with a local Teaching Artist who will guide students through creative processes to explore the wide world of art using various materials which may include colored pencils, markers, watercolors, air dry clay, and more!

This class is thanks to support from the Ballmer Group
Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
Oct 5–26, 2026 M 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Boll Family YMCA Youth / 6–10 years Register
Oct 6–27, 2026 Tu 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Farmington Family YMCA Youth / 6–10 years Register
Oct 7–28, 2026 W 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Youth / 6–11 years Register
Nov 2–23, 2026 M 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Boll Family YMCA Youth / 6–10 years Register
Nov 3–24, 2026 Tu 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Farmington Family YMCA Youth / 6–10 years Register
Nov 4 – Dec 2, 2026 W 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Youth / 6–10 years Register

Youth Theatre

Over 4 weeks students will explore the exciting world of Theatre! Through games & activities students will learn about acting, character work, scene work and more with Teaching Artist Karen Kron Dickson.

This class is thanks to support from the Ballmer Group

*NO CLASS WED 11/25

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
Nov 4 – Dec 2, 2026 W 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Boll Family YMCA Youth / 8–12 years Register

Upcoming Adults Arts and Humanities Programs

Ceramics Wheel-Throwing & Hand Building

Come learn about the wonderful world of working with clay! In this class students will explore both using the pottery wheel as well as how to hand build ceramic pieces.

The class will also offer at least two opportunities to come to Open Studio Time on Saturdays from 12-2:30 at no charge during the class.

There will be no class Wednesday Novemeber 25th

*Some pieces may need to be picked up after the last class, pick up option will given out during the class

YMCA Member Cost: $165

Non-member Cost: $200

Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
Oct 28 – Dec 9, 2026 W 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Boll Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register

Mosaic Class

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


Dates Days Times Location Ages Register
Nov 2 – Dec 7, 2026 M 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM South Oakland Family YMCA Adult / 18+ years Register

Upcoming Family Arts and Humanities Programs

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