Art Classes
VSA Massachusetts is here to assist artists with disabilities grow in their art. If demand warrants it, we run classes at the VSAM office or partner with other organizations to host art workshops for teens and adults.
Class Offerings for Various Ages Throughout Massachusetts:
Boston Center for Adult Education, 5 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, 617-267-4430, www.bcae.org. Everything from ballroom dance to ceramics. The prices are medium (about $70 to $300). MRC counselors may be able to give you vouchers to take classes for free or you can apply for scholarship aid directly to the BCAE. A wide variety of classes, usually nights or weekends. Not all of their classes are wheelchair accessible, but they are usually willing to move classes to accessible rooms.
Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston offers classes for children, teens and adults. Visit www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org or call 617-879-2252.
The Citi Performing Arts Center Education Department is located at 270 Tremont Street in Boston. Call 617-532-1256 or visit www.citicenter.org. Many programs are free and open to the public. Opportunities include becoming a performer at the Citi Center, master classes to work on skills necessary to become an actors, high school internships, and participation in the development of community performances.
Out of the Blue Gallery, 106 Prospect St., Cambridge, 617-354-5287, www.outoftheblueartgallery.com. This is a gallery for emerging artists of all abilities. They hold many events and offer volunteer opportunities including gallery sitting, promotion assistance, cataloging, carpentry, flyering, and sales.
Dot Art, Dorchester Community Center for the Visual Arts, 1775a Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124, 617-265-3503, www.dotart.org. Dot Art provides low-cost or free art classes such as ceramics, painting, and drawing. All are welcome. Some classes are geared for kids, some for teens, and others for adults.
School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, 230 The Fenway, Boston, 617-267-6100, www.smfa.edu. The school associated with the Museum of Fine Arts provides training at a professional level. There are painting, drawing, figure painting, pottery for adults. The Museum School is an accredited college with high prices and high standards.
The Museum of Fine Arts is free to the public Wednesday nights from 4:00PM to 9:45PM for free. VSA Massachusetts has passes if you want to go for free at other times. Contact Donna Folan at 617-426-4737. The MFA has ongoing studio classes for all ages. Visit the MFA website for details or call 617-369-3295.
Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 42 Brattle Street, Box 9113, Cambridge, 617-547-6789, www.ccae.org. Course offerings include watercolor, oil painting, drawing, pastel portrait, life drawing, printing, etc. Most classes start in September. There are many moderately priced classes (about $100). Go to the registration office at 42 Brattle and apply for a scholarship. (Proof of income must be provided.) Two of their buildings have elevators. When you register, discuss your needs and they will do their best to accommodate you.
Brookline Adult and Community Education, 115 Greenough St, Brookline, 617-730-2700, aded.brooklinema.gov/. There are many classes and the prices are about $100 per course. They have a broad spectrum of classes which are for the most part held in the Brookline public schools so check for accessibility.
Arlington Center for the Arts, 781-648-6220, 41 Foster Street, Arlington, www.acarts.org. Day and evening classes for the young and not so young. Also offered is immersion classes for teens.
Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, 508-793-4333, worcesterart.org. A wide variety of courses are available. Some of the studio classes are hard to get to and the accessible entrance is a side entrance but there are accessible bathrooms. Also offered is a course on in-depth analysis of classic painting which is designed for teachers interested in earning CEUs.
Saori Worcester Weaving Gallery & Studio, 131 Highland St., Worcester, 508-757-4646, www.saoriworcester.com. Saori is improvisational weaving that originated in Japan. Nat Needle and Mihoko run the studio. Saori was designed for anyone to be able to weave,disabled or not. There are classes for all ages and abilities. Wheelchair accessible.
UMass Amherst Extension Classes, 100 Venture Way, Hadley, 413-545-2414, www.umassulearn.net. Some of the classes are online. The focus is on students in college or people who already have a Bachelor's degree. Courses cost about $500. There is a drawing class available for half price to Massachusetts residents. The credit courses are usually about $900 for 3 credits. Financial aid is given only to full time students.
Indian Hill Music School, 36 King Street, Littleton, 978-486-9524, www.indianhillmusic.org. For all ages and levels. Programs for piano, strings, flute, recorder, guitar, harp, voice, musical theater, chamber music, jazz, and more. Disability friendly. Call for individual accommodations.
Holyoke Creative Arts Center, 400 S. Elm Street, Holyoke, 413-532-0465, www.holyokecac.org. The Center offers many home crafts and fine art classes. Prices vary for members and non-members. Financial aid is available and they work with the Mass. Rehabilitation Commission. Disability friendly.
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, 621 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617-879-7200, www.massart.edu. A public, free-standing college of art and design that offers professional baccalaureate and graduate degree programs.
Northampton Community Music Center, 139 South St, Northampton, 413-585-0001, www.ncmc.net. At the center, kids and adults make music together. Group classes range from $100 to $350 per person. Private instruction is also available. A scholarship program is offered. Wheelchair accessible but call ahead if you need accommodations or a good teacher match.
The Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, 413-263-6800, www.springfieldmuseums.org. The Museum School at the Springfield Museums is wheelchair accessible. Courses for children and adults in the arts, history and sciences are offered year round. Also available is daytime bus trips, overseas travel, and weekend tours to cultural destinations.
