AMA WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

At Awakening Minds Art, we work with all ages and abilities, ensuring that art is accessible to as many people as possible. Instructors are experienced at working with individuals of all abilities. Some of our classes are inclusive in nature, aiming for children, adults, and seniors to find positive, shared experiences. Other classes aim to work with specific age groups to focus on the unique needs of that group. Similarly, some classes are designed specifically for individuals with special needs, and others work to bring community members of all abilities together.

• Community Programs: open to the public and may be inclusive or specific to age groups. Find our current class list here.

  • Regular classes are painting-based. The instructor will take the group step-by-step through the painting process, making sure that directions are understandable and goals achievable for everyone in the room. Art can be adapted to everyone in the room, but we don't need a room separate for adapted learning - it is naturally all inclusive!

• Private Groups: set up your own class for birthday parties or family/friend group classes for any occasion. Fill out a request form here.

• Intergenerational Art Classes: Kids can participate in our intergenerational classes, typically held within senior living facilities. This may include kids from private households as well as classrooms, daycare facilities, and other local groups. Fill out a request form here.

• Classroom Programs: AMA travels to individual classrooms throughout the region. Oftentimes, these special ed classrooms include students who do not transition outside of their homeroom, making special classes like art, difficult. AMA makes sure that classroom instruction is step-by-step and achievable for the individuals within the classroom. Goals of the class, like following multi-step instructions, motor control, and confidence are a focus of the AMA instructor.

• Agencies: Day Habs, camps/clubs, other nonprofits, Scouting, and other agencies set up regularly scheduled or occasional classes. As with all AMA classes, instructors take into account the purpose or goal of each unique group. Fill out a request form for classrooms and agencies here.

• One-on-One Programs: Students of all ages can participate in One-on-One classes. These classes are typically therapeutic in nature and focus on the goals of each individual and take into consideration the goals set forth by an academic IEP and therapies that the student is a part of. Students are challenged while participating in an engaging, fun activity. Learn more and fill out a request form here.

• Tri the Arts Summer Camp: This four day camp is a collaboration between Awakening Minds Art (visual arts), Heartstring Melodies (musical arts), and Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (theatrical arts). The camp is designed for children and teens with special needs (SIBLINGS CAN JOIN, TOO!) and typically-developing peer volunteers who are ready to experience the extraordinary benefits of the arts in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment! Learn more and see if registration is open here.