Register online, stop by at 150 East 8th Street in Downtown Holland, or call 616.396.3278. Please read Class Policies when registering. Member prices are in parentheses.

Holiday Programming

Sneaky Elves Workshop 
All ages 5 & up unless accompanied by an adult 
Drop the kids off or stay and play. We'll have a number of handmade one-of-a-kind gifts for the kids to create and wrap so they can be part of the giving! Last year we had over 80 kids make gifts - those were some busy elves! This is an open house style event - bring them in between open hours and give them a few hours to get it all done! Meanwhile, head downtown for some last minute shopping.
Two days! Friday, December 20: 12-3pm and Saturday, December 21: 10-3pm • $15 for each child but adults are free! • Drop in only! 

Winter 2020 Kids' Classes


Kids and Collage
Instructor: Josey Brouwer
For grades 4th and up
If printing, tearing, and cutting paper sounds like fun, this class is for you! Students will learn how to create a variety of textured papers to use in three projects: a found object collage, word collage, and collage tags. Artists will be guided to create thoughtful compositions that have personal meanings and memories.
5 weeks • Tuesdays • January 14-February 11 • 4:30 pm-5:30 pm • $75 for members $100  non-members • REGISTER
Graphic Novel Gurus
Instructor: Wade Gugino
For grades 2nd-10th
Lets put some drawings with those awesome story ideas you have! Whether you just want to illustrate your characters better or add a few drawings to your future best-selling adventure, OR you want to create a full blown graphic novel with your awesome, world-changing story concept , you'll learn the basics of character development and design, story conventions and layouts, light and dark balance, emotion, motion, and actoin and leading your reader through your story visually. This is the most comprehensive 10-week course on graphic novels you'll ever take! Finish with a complete 4-page story of your own plus all the skills to keep builiding your story into the success it should be!
​10 weeks • Tuesdays • January 14-March 17• 4:30 pm-5:30 pm • $100 for members $125  non-members • REGISTER
Fiberlicious
Instructor: Carol Kreher
For grades 4th and up
Kids will learn fun fiber techniques and hugable art (yes really!). We will do Kool-aid dying, fiber drawing, Beginning spinning, make a felted mug rug and if we can squeeze it in making a cardboard loom. Kids will learn about different fibers and where they come from.
5 weeks • Thursdays • January 16-February 13• 4:15 pm-5:30 pm • $45 for members $70 non-members • REGISTER
Wacky Worms
Instructor: Josey Brouwer
For grades 4th and up
Explore the world of fiber arts to create wacky and fun worms! Artists will learn two methods of wrapping wool to create wool coils. Students will finish several worms in each 90-minute session; all supplies included along with extra wool to create more worm coils at home.
2 weeks • Thursdays • February 20 and February 27• 4:30-5:45 pm • $45 for members $70 non-members • REGISTER
Clay Hand Building
Instructor: Hadley O'Brian
For middle and high school
Students will have the opportunity to roll, coil, construct, carve, and pinch clay creations of their own imagination either, sculptural or functional. Everyone will work at their own pace with support from our instructor. $35 additional Supply Fee collected during the first class.
10 weeks • Thursdays • January 16-March 19 • 3:00-4:15 pm • $100 members $125 non-member • REGISTER
Mini Makers
Instructor: Hadley O'Brian
For ages 3-5
Grab your grown-up and get ready to paint, sculpt, construct, dig, scoop, pour, splat and more! An introduction to traditional art materials, artists and processes through age-appropriate play and exploration. Parents are encouraged to stay.
10 weeks • Tuesdays • January 16-March 19 • 11:00-11:45 am • $80 members $105 non-member • REGISTER
Kids Create
Instructor: Hadley O'Brian
For grades 1-3
Discover new artists, new materials, and new friends in an exciting, creative, and nurturing environment. We will explore a variety of mediums including printmaking, collage, assemblage, clay, paper mache, textiles, paint, and more! Bring a labeled water bottle, healthy+nut-free snack, and dress for mess!
10 weeks • Thursdays • January 16-March 19 • 4:30-5:30 pm • $100 members $125 non-member • REGISTER

Spring 2020 Kid's Classes

Needle Felted Bookmarks
Instructor: Josey Brouwer
For grades 4th and up
Learn basic needle felting while creating colorful bookmarks and small felted tags. All supplies are included for creating several pieces during this 2 1/2 hour class. Additional supplies, including wool and felting needles, will be available for purchase during class
Saturday• March 7• 12:30-3:00 pm • $45 for members $70 non-members • REGISTER
Mini Makers
Instructor: Hadley O'Brian
For ages 3-5
Grab your grown-up and get ready to paint, sculpt, construct, dig, scoop, pour, splat and more! An introduction to traditional art materials, artists and processes through age-appropriate play and exploration. Parents are encouraged to stay.
4 weeks • Thursdays • March 26-April 23 (no class April 9) • 11:00-11:45 am • $40 for members $65 non-members REGISTER
5 weeks • Thursdays • May 14 - June 11• 11:00-11:45 am • $40 for members $65 non-members • REGISTER
Kids Create
Instructor: Hadley O'Brian
For ages 6-9
Discover new artists, new materials, and new friends in an exciting, creative, and nurturing environment. We will explore a variety of mediums including printmaking, collage, assemblage, clay, paper mache, textiles, paint, and more! Bring a labeled water bottle, healthy+nut-free snack, and dress for mess!
​4 weeks • Thursdays • March 26-April 23 (no class April 9) • 4:30-5:30 pm • $40 for members $65 non-members • REGISTER
5 weeks • Thursdays • May 14-June 11 • 4:30-5:30 pm • $50 for members $75 non-members • REGISTER
Tulips and Toons
Instructor: Wade Gugino
For grades 2-10
Tulips are a big focus here in Holland, Michigan but did you know they are super fun too? They are easy to draw which makes them the perfect subject for this simple course in cartoon strips and panels. We'll create tulip comics of different varieties that you can share with your family, your class, and anyone else who visits for tulip time. Finish with an 8 strip collection of tulip comics and thorough understanding of layout, angles, wording, comic communication techniques, and anthropomorphism!
Tuesdays • March 24-April 21 (no class April 7) • 4:30-5:30 pm • $40 for members $65 non-members • REGISTER
Teen Ceramics Hand Building
Instructor: Hadley O'Brian
For ages 13-18
Students will have the opportunity to roll, coil, construct, carve, and pinch clay creations of their own imagination either, sculptural or functional. Everyone will work at their own pace with support from our instructor. Bring a labeled water bottle, healthy+nut-free snack, and dress for mess! $20 Supply Fee to be paid on the first night of class
Session 1 • 4 weeks • Thursdays • March 26-April 23 (no class April 9) • 3:00-4:00 pm • $40 for members $65 non-members • REGISTER
Session 2 • 5 weeks • Thursdays • May 14-June 11 • 3:00-4:00 pm • $50 for members $75 non-members • REGISTER
Spring Break Painting Camp
Instructor: Christi Dreese
For grades 2-5
Join artist Christi Dreese at the Holland Arts Council this spring break for a creative week exploring muliple art mediums. The kids will enjoy acrylic painting, learn the basics of Gelli painting on pots, and a day creating a collaborative art project.
4 days •  April 7-10 • 1:00-4:00 pm • $120 for members $145 non-members • REGISTER

Homeschool Classes

Homeschool Class Session 1
Instructor: Bux Dhyne
Students will learn about a variety of artists and create projects inspired by those artists.
Week 1: Cubism • Artists: Picasso, Barque
Week 2: Surrealism • Artists: Dali, Kahlo, Suess
Week 3: Abstract Expressionism • Artists: Pollock, Rothko
Week 4: Op Art & Pop Art • Artists: Warhol, Lichtenstein 
Week 5: Contemporary/Street Art • Artists: Haring, Basquiat, Banksy
All ages  • 5 weeks • Wednesdays • December 11, 18 & January 8, 14, 22 • 10:00 am - 11:30 am • $75 members $100 non-member  REGISTER
Homeschool Class Sessions 2-4
Instructor: Hadley O'Brien
For all ages
Discover new artists and new materials, in an exciting, creative, and nurturing environment. We will explore a variety of mediums including printmaking, collage, assemblage, clay, paper mache, textiles, paint, and more!
Session 2 • 10 weeks • Thursdays • January 16-March 19 • 1:30-2:45 • $100 members $125 non-member  REGISTER
Session 3 • 4 weeks • Thursdays • March 26-April 23 (no class April 9) • 1:00-2:30 • $60 members $85 non-member  REGISTER
Session 4 • 5 weeks • Thursdays • May 14-June 11 (no class April 9) • 1:00-2:30 • $75 members $100 non-member  REGISTER

Summer 2020 Kid's Classes

Cartoon Boot Camp
Instructor: Wade Gugino
For grades 2-10
Learn the basics of cartooning: developing characters, expressions, action, strip and panel layout, shadow, wording and so much more! Anyone can do this with the right training. So pull on your boots and let's get drawing! Everyone will get a comic treasury with their comic in it at the end of the week! All materials provided, just bring your smiles!
4 days •  June 16-19 • 1:00-4:00 pm • $120 for members $145 non-members • REGISTER
Aesop's Fables Musical Theater
Instructor: Bobbi Kearns
For ages 7-10
We will bring the classic stories of Aesop to life through singing and acting! There will be a performance for friends and family on Friday!
4 days •  July 7-10 • 1:00-4:00 pm • $120 for members $145 non-members • REGISTER
Music Makers
Instructor: Bobbi Kearns
For ages 7-10
We will repurpse and recycle materials to create musical instruments! We will also write music for our Friday performance!
4 days •  July 14-17 • 1:00-4:00 pm • $120 for members $145 non-members • REGISTER
Hand Building Ceramics
Instructor: Maggie Bandstra
For grades 2-5
Students will learn multiple hand building techniques while creating their ceramic treasures. Each child will make 4-5 keepsakes. Boxes and birdhouses will be created using slab construction along with small animal and people sculptures. The finished pieces will be available for pickup the following Friday and we will have a mini art show on July 31st at 4pm. There will be an additional $35 supply fee for this class to cover the cost of clay, glaze, and firing of the kiln.
4 days •  July 21-24 • 1:00-4:00 pm • $120 for members $145 non-members • REGISTER
Pint Sized Picassos
Instructor: Maggie Bandstra
For grades K-3
Students will learn about Picasso and his friends and create paintings and drawings inspired by the modern masters of art history. There will be an art show at the end of the week and each student will have an 18x24 frame that will hold all their work. Their work can be easily rotated in the frame. Additional $35 supply fee to cover the cost of the frame. Fee to be paid on the first day of class.
4 days •  July 28-31 • 1:00-4:00 pm • $120 for members $145 non-members • REGISTER

Music 

New!  Suzuki Method Violin Lessons
Instructor: Kailey Schroeder
The Arts Council is now offering private violin and fiddle lessons for ages 5 & up!  Students can choose to work from the traditional Suzuki Method repertoire, study various "fiddle" styles, or a combination of both!
30 minutes for $25  •  Email kailey@hollandarts.org for more info and availability

Grand Rapids Ballet School at the Arts Council

​Grand Rapids Ballet children’s classes meet at the Arts Council on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Grand Rapids Ballet School is excited to bring ballet classes to the Michigan lakeshore at Holland Area Arts Council in Holland, Michigan. Classes include Creative Dance for ages 3-4, Beginner Ballet ages 7-9, and Explorer Dance for Down syndrome. 

All registration goes through the Grand Rapids Ballet.  For more information and how to enroll, please visit grballet.com