Where is my class? 

Please utilize the Art Studios Directional Map to try and find your classroom. There are wayfinding maps, signs, and directories on campus as well. We recommend arriving 10-15 minutes before your class on the first day to provide ample time for parking and to find your classroom space. Students can also utilize this campus map as well. 

When will I know if my class is cancelled?

Classes are reviewed 3 business days in advance of the start date. Classes without enough student enrollment will be cancelled. Students will be contacted and refunded, or students may be given the option by Box Office staff to switch to the same or similar class at a different time and date. If you do not receive a call from the Box Office, you should assume your class is running.

What should I bring on the first day of class?

Please check the class description or your email inbox to know if materials are required on the first day or if your instructor sent you a materials list. Students are given access to tools and equipment in the studios, and beginning classes may provide some initial materials. However, all students are responsible for providing their own supplies. Instructors can provide recommendations for where to purchase. If you haven’t received any word from your instructor, you are welcome to contact them directly or to contact ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com.

Dance classes shouldn’t require any materials and generally require loose or comfy clothing. Specific clothing and/or shoes are not required by any of our movement courses.

Do you have a waiting list for classes? 

Yes, most classes will have waiting lists available for you to join. If a class is sold out, you can add yourself to the waiting by filling out the following form. CLICK HERE. Waiting list is first come, first serve. Box Office & Registration staff will contact you if a slot becomes available. 

Is there an elevator access to the second floor?

Yes! The main elevator is located parallel to Center Street in between the two studio buildings opposite the theater buildings.

Parking Options for Students

There is ample free parking at Mesa Arts Center and the surrounding streets. Mesa Arts Center open-air parking lot is located on the northeast corner of Center Street and 1^st Avenue, one block south of Main Street and Center. Mesa Arts Center is located at 1 E Main Street. Surrounding streets with free parking include Center Street, 1^st Avenue, Main Street, and Sirrine.

Please Note: There are frequent events at Mesa Arts Center so parking may be limited in the parking lot and students will be advised of high-traffic days via email in the bi-monthly Art Studios E-Newsletter or sometimes by the boxoffice@mesaartscenter.com email for City events that may impact parking. 

Students with accessibility needs or who would like a security escort at night are encouraged to call the Security office 30 minutes prior to the time you would like to be picked up at (480) 644-6630. Please allow 10 minutes for pick-up.

I need to communicate a concern to the Studios Management.

Please communicate any and all serious concerns or challenges to the Director of Studios, Laura Wilde, at laura.wilde@mesaartscenter.com .

I haven’t taken a course at Mesa Arts Center before, but I’m not a beginning student. Can I sign up for an intermediate course?

Yes, we encourage you to talk to the instructor ahead of time to ensure you have permission and that they can assess your ability and ensure you have the best classroom experience. Youth under the age of sixteen and are at an intermediate level can also request to be enrolled in a beginning adult class. Please contact the Box Office at (480) 644-6500 to place this request.

Art Studios Refund Policy

Please be advised that starting July 1, the refund policy for studio classes will be changing. Moving forward, students may only receive a full refund two weeks prior to their class start date. Students can receive a credit in the form of a gift certificate towards a future class if they cancel less than two weeks before the class start date. Once a class starts, refunds and credit in the form of a gift certificate are no longer permissible.

Refunds or credit in the form of a gift certificate are not permissible for students who miss class due to illness.

If a class cancels due to low enrollment, students will receive a full refund prior to the start of class.

Workshops are not permissible for refunds. 

Any questions can be directed to ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com. Cancellation or refund requests can be directed to the Box Office
at 480-644-6500.

FEE ASSISTANCE & SCHOLARSHIP INFO

Fee Assistance is available year-round to Mesa residents ,who meet income requirements, and reduces the cost of the class by 50%. Fee assistance may also be granted to youth in foster care or social service organizations, or to families who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Scholarships differ from Fee Assistance as scholarships cover 100% of the class cost and are limited and available based on funding from the Nancy Wolter Scholarship Fund. Proper qualifying paperwork must be submitted with your application to be considered for either a scholarship or fee assistance. 

Fee Assistance Application - Paper

Online Fee Assistance - Click Here! 

Youth Scholarships

Thanks to generous funding from the Nancy Wolter Scholarship Fund, Mesa Arts Center is proud to offer full scholarships for youth classes, workshops and camps! Please fill out the scholarship application online or download a physical copy. Applications must include proper documentation to be accepted. Please include the best email to contact you in case we have questions. If accepted, the Box Office will contact you to enroll. 

Criteria for Scholarships:

• Student receives free or reduced lunches
• Student attends a Title I school
• Family meets 200% or below the federal poverty line
• Child is in the foster care system
• Family is part of a HUD housing system 

Policies:

• Families must meet one of the criteria above to be approved.
• Scholarships can only be used for students under 18.
• Once approved, a child can use the scholarship up to two times in a calendar year. After which, the family will have to reapply to be considered again.
• Families can apply for multiple children in their household with a single application. 

Online application - English

Online Application - En Espanol

• Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llama al 480-644-6621.

Paper Application

Paper Application - En Espanol 

- Please submit all paper applications to the Box Office open from 12-5pm Tuesdays - Saturdays or mail to 1 E Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201 Attn: Studios Department 

Completed forms can be mailed to Mesa Arts Center Studios Dept. 1 E Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Interested in saving on class registration? Members can receive 10% off classes. Learn more about the benefits of Mesa Arts Center membership here.

First Day Supply Policy per Studio

Ceramics: Clay is available for purchase in the Mesa Arts Center Ceramics Studio the first day of class. Additional class supplies may be required and will be discussed the first day of class, or prior to class in an email from your instructor. 

Glass Fusing/Stained Glass/Flame Working/Glass Blowing: All materials will be discussed on the first day of class – unless specifically noted in the class description, students need not pre-purchase supplies. Appropriate clothing required – natural fiber fabrics (cotton, silk, linen, wool), leather closed toe shoes.

Jewelry: Students will receive a syllabus and materials list from the instructor via email prior to the class start date. 

Lapidary: Students need not purchase supplies. 

Welding/Blacksmithing: First day of class no materials are needed! However, all students are required to bring leather work gloves (the yellow roping kind best), safety glasses and welding helmet. You do not need welding helmet for first class. We will go over helmet, materials and syllabus in first class. Students must also wear all-cotton clothing and all-leather closed toe shoes

Painting/Printmaking/Photo: Instructors will provide students with a list of supplies on the first day of class, or prior to class via email. A limited selection of basic art materials will be available for student use on the first day.

CERAMIC

The Mesa Arts Center’s Ceramic Studio is an 8,000 square foot state-of-the art, well lit, inviting, efficient place to learn all aspects of working with clay. The ceramics studio is fully equipped to meet the needs of every level of potter, from beginner to professional, child to adult. We offer classes from morning to evening, Monday to Saturday. The studio has two main classrooms with over 30 wheels, 3 slab-rollers, 8 electric kilns, and 5 gas kilns including soda/salt, raku, and a 100 cu. Ft. car kiln for reduction. Instructors cover a vast variety of techniques including cone 10 stoneware, maiolica, low-fire, raku, and soda -fired stoneware.

DRAWING/PAINTING/PRINTMAKING

The drawing and painting studio offers many choices of classes in all levels taught by professionally qualified instructors. Choose from offerings like beginning to advanced drawing, colored pencil, figure, and portraiture study. Painting classes include watercolor, acrylic, and oil. The beginning classes all stress an academic approach to painting where continuing classes support any kind of painting style. All drawing and painting classes have a free 3-hour open studio and are also available through private instruction. Beginning and advanced study printmaking studio classes offer a variety of techniques including stencil printing, single plate monotype, collagraphy, monoscreen printing, and many more. All printmaking classes have a free 4-hour open studio and are also available through private instruction.

GLASS

The Glass Studio offers various length classes and workshops in flameworking, glassblowing, paperweights, fusing, sand casting, cold working, stained glass and kiln casting. Classes are offered 7 days a week, morning, afternoon and evening. All skill levels are accommodated. Classes are ages 16 and up except Beginning Flameworking (13 and up) and private lessons (10 and up). The studios are available for rental and private and semi-private instruction. Students enrolled in classes are given 4 free hours per week of Open Studio time to work on their projects independently. Non-students may rent time during Open Studio for two times the student hourly rate.

JEWELRY AND METALS

Two studios house fully equipped facilities for jewelry and non-ferrous metal fabrication, casting, enameling, holloware, stone setting, metal clay, cutting cabochon stones, faceting gems and much more. Beginners learn the art and craft of metal work while accomplished artists and a stimulating environment where they can explore new techniques and develop and share ideas with other artists. The Jewelry and Metalsmithing Program was designed to teach traditional and ancient techniques as well as contemporary innovations using a combination of technology, history and art.

MOVEMENT

The Dance Studio offers various length classes and workshops in American tribal belly dancing, contemporary/Jazz, ballet, ballet/tap, and hip hop. It is equipped with stage lighting, a wall-to-wall mirror, and may be used as a performance space. With a hardwood sprung floor that makes it conducive to movement, the studio provides an active space for its dancers.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Photography Studio is a full black and white processing lab. We offer beginning through advanced classes and workshops in black and white, digital and specialized processes such as photographing 2-D and 3-D artwork, pinhole, cyanotype and 19th century processes.

METAL SCULPTURE

Students master techniques while creating work that explores visual history, human-made forms and the natural world. The Sculpture Studio and Terrace provide a fluid indoor/outdoor space ideal for creating in a variety of media. Classes and workshops currently include welding, blacksmithing, knife making, bronze foundry and making Damascus steel.

THEATRE

Mesa Arts Center is working to provide new theatre/drama classes in the future, but currently is unable to provide classes for either youth or adults in theatre. We thank you for your patience as we work to hire additional staff to be able to of offer new programming in the future. 

WORKSHOPS

Workshops are available in all subject areas and are conducted by both local and visiting artists.

YOUTH ART CAMPS 

Our Arts Camps run year round and have classes in Dance, Drama, Music, Puppetry and Visual Arts and so much more.

Mesa Arts Center is glad to offer a variety of classes for students of all abilities and skill level! Please reference the definitions below to know which class is best for you and your goals:

Beginning Classes

These classes are for students who have no prior experience or for students who could still benefit from a refresher or more practice time learning foundational skills and techniques. This class is not for students who are advanced but wish to stay in a class for the time slot offered. Beginning classes start off with a safety orientation on the first day, as well as a guided project over the course of a few weeks. Or a beginning class may cover a new topic each week, and provide a demo at the start of each day and subsequent completed project each week. Beginning courses are integral to understanding more complex and advanced techniques and projects in the future. Your instructor will let you know when you're ready to advance! 

Intermediate/Advanced Classes

These are for students who have mastered the basic techniques and are ready for more challenging projects. Classes may be focused on a single advanced topic (like Cold Connections in jewelry, Nerikomi in ceramics, or Silkscreen in Printmaking), or leave it up to you, the student, to determine your own projects and goals. Demonstrations will still be a regular part of class, but time between demos for students to work will be increased, as the steps at an intermediate or advanced level require more time to complete. 

Independent Studio vs. Open Studio

Independent studio classes are for intermediate and advanced students only who have unique and individual projects they want to pursue, but may still need expert guidance from an instructor. These classes may have demonstrations each week, but do not have guided projects. Open Studio is a free session available in select studios for enrolled students to get extra practice in or to use the tools and materials in the studio to finish projects. 

The Mesa Arts Center visual art studio departments, each semester, may offer Open Studio to currently enrolled students. Students not currently enrolled in classes are not permitted to use open studio time for free or for payment at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Open Studio times are subject to change with every new class semester and are monitored by studio leads, studio instructors, artists in residence or a combination of all three. This is a time for students to work independently on projects and not to receive individual instruction. Each student in visual art departments that are offering open studio are entitled to one open studio session per week per class.

**Paid open studio options for additional open studio times are available here and are only available in printmaking, drawing/painting, glass, and ceramics. Restrictions apply. 

Ceramics Open Studio Schedule

• Tuesdays, 1-4pm
• Wednesdays, 1-4pm
• Thursdays, 6-9pm
• Fridays, 1-4pm

Drawing/Painting Open Studio Schedule

All forms of drawing and painting media are acceptable. A still life set up upon request and students have access to the art resource library within the painting/drawing classroom.

• Tuesdays from 1-4pm

Glass Open Studio Schedule

Fall 2024 Open Studio Schedule

• 8/20 - 10/1 Tuesdays 9-12:30 flat glass

• 10/22 - 12/17 Tuesdays 9-12:30 flat glass

• 8/21 - 10/2 Wednesdays 1-5 flamework

• 10/16 - 12/11 Wednesdays  1-5 flamework

• 8/24- 10/5 Saturdays 5:30- 9:30 flameworking 

• 10/26 - 12/14  Saturdays 5:30-9:30 flamework

Printmaking Open Studio Schedule

• Wednesdays, 1-4pm (silkscreen not permitted) 

Jewelry Open Studio Schedule

• Mondays, 6-9pm (casting and enameling not permitted)
• Tuesdays, 1-4 pm (casting and enameling not permitted)

Metal Sculpture, and Glassblowing are not available for Open Studio. We recommend registering for the Glass Blowing Gaffer's Lab or Intermediate/Advanced Welding or Blacksmithing Independent Studio for students who wish to pursue their own projects. 

Youth Open Studio for teens enrolled in drawing/painting classes at Mesa Arts Center are now eligible for Youth Open Studio. Please visit the youth studios info page to learn more! 

The Mesa Art Center is committed to providing universal access to all of our events and classes. Please contact the Studios Manager at Artstudioclass@mesaartscenter.com or call (480) 644-6621 to request a disability accommodation. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

The following classes have requirements of all participants: 

WELDING

- Students must have the ability to lift 20 lbs.

- Eyesight capable on a felt-pen-sized area for prolonged periods.

- Ability to stand for welding, hammering, and using a plasma cutter safely.

Please note: the welding and metal shop can trigger photosensitivity and auditory sensitivity. Additionally, the space is compact and participants must be able to step over or navigate over thick and multiple cords. 

JEWELRY/CASTING

- Fine motor skills are used consistently in this class, including using pliers and hammers. Many jewelry components can be small, so students are encouraged to bring magnifying loupes, glasses, or use the magnifying optic accessories available in the studio.

COLOR BLINDNESS

- Mesa Arts Center studios are now using Enchroma Color Blind glasses and have set available for class use for adults, teens, and youth! Contact us to learn how to utilize these while in our studios! Contact ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com or call (480) 644-6621 to reserve a pair for yourself, child, or teen, while in class at Mesa Arts Center! 

When students register online, over the phone, or in-person they are agreeing to the following waiver & release: 

As a participant, or parent or guardian of a participant, permission is granted to participate in the Mesa Arts Center studio programs. Participants understand and agree that they may be photographed and/or videotaped for the promotion of City of Mesa archives and for use in publicity materials. I understand that there are risks of physical injury to the participant(s). Considering all possible risks, on behalf of the participant(s) and myself, I voluntarily waive, release, discharge, and hold harmless the City of Mesa, its employees, supervisors, appointed officials, agents representatives and volunteers from all claims for all injuries to participant(s), no matter how severe. Furthermore, I give consent for emergency medical treatment to the participant(s), no matter how severe. This waiver does not extend to any such claim or liability that is caused solely and exclusively by the gross negligence of the City of Mesa or its employees, supervisors, appointed officials, agents, representatives, and volunteers.

Please Note: We require that parents or guardians drop off students under the age of 18 at the classroom door - if your child is ages 14+, parents/guardians can elect to sign an independent check in and out waiver giving their child permission to leave class without a parent/guardian present. Please note that a $20 late fee is applied to accounts for children whose parent/guardian is more than ten minutes late to pick them up.

The City of Mesa reserves the right to dismiss a student from the program for inappropriate conduct if necessary. This includes unsafe use of equipment, materials or supplies. Dismissal/permanent removal is at the discretion of faculty.

Mesa Arts Center Art Studios are continuously growing and changing, and we are open to new classes, camps, and workshops for our students! Teaching artists seeking to submit class proposals to the art studios department can apply online at Teaching Artist Application (mesaaz.gov). All applicants are required to submit a resume, and 3 professional references. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. We may not be hiring in certain departments, and to see an active list of departments that are currently hiring please visit the Get Involved Page.

Teaching artists are hired either as temporary workers or contractors.

• Temporary workers are hired through Marathon Staffing Agency and these workers will receive a W2 during tax season. Temp workers must be able to pass a Federal level background check and drug test. Temp workers can also earn sick time after so many hours completed through Marathon. 
• Contract workers are self-employed and must provide $1 million commercial general liability insurance for themselves when signing the contract. Contractors will receive a 1099 via tax season. 
• Both temp workers and contract workers are able to receive stipends for larger engagements, please discuss with the hiring manager during the interview process if you have specific compensation needs. 

All temps and contractors must be able to provide curriculum and lesson plans, and demonstrate their work is their own. The City of Mesa does not support plagiarism. For more information regarding intellectual property or teaching requirements, please contact ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com.  

There may be positions for the Art Studios that are hired through the City of Mesa’s website here https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mesaaz.

Questions about City of Mesa positions should be directed to the Human Resources department at (480) 644-2365. Questions about temp or contract positions within the art studios department can be directed to ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com or (480) 644-6621.