Youth Studios Classes Info

Mesa Arts Center requires parents/guardians in every youth camp, class, or workshop to complete youth registration. Registration includes information about the following:

• Approved pick-up guardians
• Medical allergies or health information we should know
• Consent for Photography
• Consent to independently leave class if students are ages 14+

Mesa Arts Center currently utilized ePACT a free online platform for families to keep all information digital. The account stays entirely within the control of the parent/guardian and can be updated over time. Once you complete the paperwork, families just have to update it when information changes, otherwise they will not have to repeat the process again.

• Families will receive an email, upon enrollment in a Mesa Arts Center youth/teen class, 4-weeks before the class will begin. 
• Students in one-day workshops will be prompted to create an ePACT account but can opt for a one-day abbreviated registration form instead on the first day of class.
• Families who do not wish to create an epact account will have to complete a paper form instead.

Digital Art classes will also require an iPad Rules Agreement form. 

Click here to view more information about ePACT.  

Parents/Guardians: Please see view our youth policies as well and contact us if you have any questions by emailing ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com or call (480) 644-6538.  . 

This page is to serve as a helpful guide to orienting parents and guardians to our policies for youth classes. If you have any questions, please feel welcome to contact ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com. 

• Classes occur at the same time each week. In the event the instructor is unavailable due to illness or other reasons, you will receive an email or call from the Box Office alerting you. We strive to send out these communications as expediently as possible. 
• For each class or camp, we ask parents/guardians to set up their ePACT account and complete the youth registration containing critical information like who can pick up your child or teen, medical information, food allergies, and more, prior to the first day of class. An email will be sent with the ePACT registration link, 3-4 weeks before class begins. Starting Summer 2024, parents will have to sign in and sign out their child unless they are ages 14 and older. In addition to providing a copy of the driver license for anyone who is picking up a child from MAC class or camp. 
• Students in youth classes may not arrive or leave class on their own unless they are ages 14 and above. If so, the parent or guardian has completed the Independent Check-In and Out Authorization Form acknowledging that your child is authorized to leave the classroom. 
• The safety and security of all people on the MAC campus is our highest priority. For this reason, we do not permit anyone who is not on the registration form to pick up the child. A phone call or email in advance is not sufficient. Please work with your instructor to amend the paperwork if you need to add additional parent/guardian pick-up options. The City of Mesa employs a security company to monitor the campus and will be contacted if there are issues or unauthorized persons on campus. 
• Parents are not permitted to sit in class with their child. We ask that parents wait in the box office, hallways, or enjoy our beautiful campus outside. No adults, other than the instructor(s) and MAC volunteers, are permitted inside the classroom. This also allows for students to fully be themselves and explore their confidence and creativity in a space designed just for them. 
• Please arrive on time or early for pickup. Our instructors are not paid to stay late past 10 minutes the end of class. A fee will be applied to your account each time that you are more than 10 minutes late to pick up your child. 
• All materials and supplies are provided for each youth or teen class. Students may be asked to bring items from home to inspire them or to help with projects that require recycled materials (newspaper, magazines, etc.). No family is required to provide materials or supplies for youth classes.
• All youth classes have the potential for students to get messy while having fun! Please dress your child appropriately. Recommended clothing items are sneakers or close toed shoes, an apron or old t shirt, hair tie for long hair, and no jewelry. All products used are non-toxic and washable or water-based. 
• In the event of injury or illness while in class, instructors will provide students with band-aids, compress, antiseptic, ice packs, or ask them to visit the restroom. MAC staff and volunteers cannot administer any type of medication to your child. Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately for serious injury or illness, or if the child asks to go home following an injury/illness. MAC staff and volunteers cannot provide medical assistance beyond the aforementioned aid, and are trained to ensure they are not exposed to bodily fluids. An incident report form is required to be filled out and kept on record for any injury or illness. Please note that some activities can be more dangerous than others and inappropriate use or intentional mishandling of tools or materials is grounds for dismissal from MAC classes in the interest of safety for all participants. 
• In the event of serious injury, 911 will be called and you will be contacted immediately. 
• Mesa Arts Center may provide pre-packaged snacks and water to camps. As we accept many students via scholarship who receive free or reduced lunches, we offer snacks to help campers get through the day. Food allergies of all students will be reviewed after the first day and MAC will write parents and staff to ensure any known food allergies are not brought into the classroom space. Parents are welcome to send their child with a no-mess snack and water bottle. If you do not wish for your child to partake in snacks offered by Mesa Arts Center, you must enforce this with your child. Mesa Arts Center staff are not responsible for restricting students from taking snacks. 
• Volunteers may be assisting students and teaching artists in youth camps and classes. All staff and volunteers at Mesa Arts Center have undergone a federal background check.

For additional information, questions, or concerns, please contact the Studios Team at ArtStudioClass@mesaartscenter.com. 

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 cannot be applied towards a workshop.

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. Please note that youth enrolled in adult classes may have a materials list that is not covered by the Nancy Wolter Scholarship Fund. 

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 
• Mesa Public Schools CEP schools

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.

ARTS IN SERVICE:

Thanks to generous grant support, Mesa Arts Center is pleased to present Arts in Service, which provides creative pathways for veterans and service members to use studio arts experiences in reaching their personal goals, whether those are finding a supportive community, stress relief, working toward overall health and wellness, or pursuing career interests in art-making. 

Learn More at: mesaartscenter.com//arts-in-service

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

New Accessibility Options in the Studios

Our mission is to make the art studio classrooms a space for relaxation, enjoyment, discovery, and learning. To help aid in that pursuit, the studios department has employed the use of sensory kits available to all students in any class. Upon request to your instructor, a variety of sensory and stress-relieving items will be provided in class.

Additionally, enChroma glasses are available for youth, teens, and adults in any of the studio programs. If you struggle with color blindness, consider requesting use of these glasses in your next class! 

Have an accessibility need or if you would like to talk through options available at Mesa Arts Center, please contact artstudioclass@mesaartscenter.com 

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 and 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.

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.