Learn

Art Programs for Youth 

Expand your creativity in one of our innovative art programs for youth ages 5 – 18!

Registration for Winter Art Camp begins November 1, 2023. 

Registration for youth winter classes begins December 1, 2023. 

SLINDING SCALE: Kennedy Heights Arts Center strives to make arts accessible to everyone. Sliding scale fees available for those in financial need. Click here apply. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: Tuition is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another course if the student withdraws at least five days prior to the beginning of the program.

  • Tellus Zine Annual Launch Party!

    • April 13, 2024 6:00 pm

    Tellus Zine Annual Launch Party! What: A Celebratory event for teens by teens! When: Saturday, April 13 from 6-8pm FREE                                              ..

  • Teen Artists for Change: Spring 2024

    • March 30, 2024 2:00 pm - May 18, 2024 4:00 pm

    Teen Artists for Change: Spring 2024 Grades 7th-12th Artist: Cedric Michael Cox Saturdays, 2:00-4:00pm March 30// April 6, 13, 20, 27// May 4, 11, 18 Tuition: FREE Teen Artists for Change (TAC) is a club for diverse young artists in grades 7-12,..

  • Summer camp registration is now open!

    10 Weeks, 25 Camps
    June 3 – August 9
    9:00am to 3:00pm daily

    Unleash your creativity and imagination this summer at Kennedy Heights Arts Center! We offer a variety of one-week camps for youth ages 5-13 exploring visual arts, music, creative writing, photography, acting, animation, and design. There are eight 5 day camps at $230 per student and two 4 day camps at $184 per student. Students bring their own lunch.
     

    Sliding Scale Tuition Rates: Kennedy Heights Arts Center strives to make the arts accessible to everyone. Sliding scale tuition rates are available for those in financial need, and range from 10%-65% of the full tuition based on household income. Click here to fill out a sliding scale application. 

     
    Call for Summer Art Camp Volunteers!

    High school students can earn community service hours, gain leadership experience, and have fun as volunteers in our Summer Art Camps. Application deadline is Friday, April 5, 2023 More Details

     

  • Drumming into Japanese Arts & Culture (ages 5-7)

    Week 6: July 8-12 9:00 am-3:00 pm April Culbreath (ages 5-7) Large Hall-Annex In this camp students will learn about Japanese culture through art! Students learn about Japanese music, food, visual art and Taiko Drumming. They will incorporate daily meditation as well..

  • Game On! (ages 8-10)

    Week 10: Aug. 5-9 Terry  Oestreicher (ages 8-10) Lindner Annex Crack the code on this camp! Campers use their creativity and brainpower to design and solve different kinds of puzzles – including a board game! Get inventive and trade with others in..

  • Exploring Asian Art (ages 5-7)

    Week 10: Aug. 5-9 Elliott Jordan (ages 5-7) Basement studio In this week of exploration students will dive into the world of Asian art. Using painting, ceramics, and cloth students will learn about a variety of Asian cultures through art. Here they..

  • Dive into Drawing (ages 11-13)

    Week 9: July 29-Aug. 2 Anisha Sanghani (ages 11-13) Media Lab- Annex This camp is designed for students ages 11-13 who have a passion for drawing and an eagerness to learn more! Using a wide range of materials including, graphite, charcoal, colored..

  • Birds of the World (ages 8-10)

    Week 9: July 29-Aug. 2 Robin Hartmann (ages 8-10) Basement studio Campers will be birds of a feather as they explore painting, sculpture, and drawing together! In this camp students will learn about birds around the world and their unique characteristics. Using..

  • Float and Spin in the Wind! (ages 5-7)

    Week 9: July 29-Aug. 2 Christine Langford (ages 5-7) Large Hall- Annex Students will explore the history and science behind various wind driven objects, such as parachutes, kites, windsocks, and weather vanes. Using a variety of art materials and processes to create..

  • True Body Project (ages 8-12)

    Week 8: July 22-26 Suzie Nagy (ages 8-12) Large Hall-Annex This camp is for girls who love to write, draw, and dance or do all of the above. The True Body Project is dedicated to helping young girls connect, move, and inspire..

  • Character Create! (age 5-7)

    Week 8: July 22-26 Anisha Sanghani (ages 5-7) Basement Studio Campers will develop their very own character and see them come to life! Using a variety of materials students will create 3-D models of their characters and diorama environments for their character’s..

  • The Art of Recycling (ages 5-7)

    Week 8: July 22-26 Robin Hartmann (ages 5-7) Media Lab- Annex Welcome to our exciting and eco-friendly art camp where creativity meets sustainability! In this camp students will get inspired by recyclable materials. Together they unleash their creativity and imagination as they..

  • Mosaics Masters (ages 11-13)

    Week 7: July 15-19 Billie Cunningham (ages 11-13) Media Lab- Annex Campers will learn how to layout and create mosaic designs using different materials, such as tiles, marbles, shells, and ceramic pieces to stimulate their imagination. Taking inspiration from nature students will..

  • Let’s Go Lego! (ages 8-10)

    Week 7: July 15-19 Terry Oestreicher (ages 8-10) Large hall-Annex Calling all builders! Campers plan and lego-build new worlds with fresh creative challenges each day, working individually or in pairs to construct everything from spaceships to theme parks, with a group build..

  • Whimsical Tree House (ages 5-7)

    Week 7: July 15-19 Kathleen Winter (ages 5-7) Basement Studio Learn about life amongst the trees! In this fun-filled campers will look at amazing tree houses from around the world and use paint and collage to create images of their fantastical structures...

  • Rainforest Expressions (ages 10-13)

    Week 6: July 8-12 Kim Watling (ages 10-13) Basement Studio Using the art of paper-mâché and storytelling students will explore the beauty of the rainforest. Campers will delight in hand-on art making and learning about flora, fauna, and animals and write stories..

  • Shadow Puppets Around the World (ages 8-10)

    Week 6: July 8-12 Christine Langford (ages 8-10) Media Lab-Annex Discover, practice and perform different types of shadow puppets from various world cultures. Learn puppet manipulation, building, lighting, and scale. Students will also participate in interactive mime and play with small puppets..

  • Batty Bats Galore (ages 5-7)

    Week 1: June 3-7 9:00 am-3:00 pm Kim Wilfong Sigman (Ages 5-7) Basement Studio In this camp students will explore the space between science and art! With a focus on bats students will learn about bat behavior, their environments, and the characteristics..

  • Digital Media Storytelling (ages 11-13)

    Week 5: July 1-5 (4days) Shawndale Thomas (ages 11-13) Media Lab- Annex Everyone has a story! In this digital media camp students will use photography, video, and audio to explore the art of storytelling to highlight their unique stories. 

  • Acrylic Masters (ages 8-10)

    Week 5: July 1-5 (4days) Cedric Michael Cox (ages 8-10) Basement Studio Get creative with PAINT! Explore different artists and topics throughout art history. Students will learn new skills, build confidence, and find inspiration for their artistic work. This camp will culminate..

  • Bug Out! (ages 5-7)

    Week 5: July 1-5 (4days) Terry Oestreicher (ages 5-7) Large Hall – Annex  Calling all curious campers! Take a different point of view in this buggy camp. Campers will participate in activities like bug-book making, bug hunts, bug board games, and mobiles..

  • Art in ACTion: Puppetry, Acting, and You! (ages 8-11)

    Week 4: June 24-28 9:00 am-3:00 pm Mimi Richmond & Russell White (ages 8-11) Large Hall-Annex In this camp, students will become actors, puppeteers, playwrights, and puppet builders as they design and construct their own puppets, jump into improv games, explore the..

  • Art Up in the Air (ages 5-7)

    Week 4: June 24-28 Kim Watling (ages 5-7) Media Lab- Annex We will explore the fascination of things that Fly! Birds need wings and tails to soar and so do planes and kites. In this fun-filled camp students will create and decorate..

  • Ways of Watercolor (ages 5-7)

    Week 4: June 24-28 9:00 am- 3:00 pm Kathleen Winter June 24-28 (ages 5-7) Basement studio Campers will use a variety of watercolor techniques to create colorful works of art! Students will take inspiration from nature to create watercolor collages, weavings, and..

  • Dreaming Beyond Poetry: Bringing Poems to Life (ages 8-10)

    Week 3: June 17-21 (4days) 9:00 am-3:00 pm Desirae Hosley (ages 8-10) Media Lab- Annex “What happens to a dream deferred?” In this camp students will look at popular poems from Langston Hughes to Nikki Giovanni. Taking inspiration from these poets they..

  • Art in Bloom (ages 5-7)

    Week 3: June 17-21 (4days) 9:00 am-3:00 pm Brooke Owens June 17-21(4 days) (ages 5-7) Large Hall-Annex In this garden themed camp students will explore the green spaces on camps while creating garden inspired artwork in the classroom. Campers will investigate the..

  • Earth, Sky, and Paint (ages5-7)

    Week 3: June 17-21 (4days) 9:00 am-3:00 pm Anisha Sanghani June 17-21(4 days) (ages 5-7) Basement Studio In this camp students will use outdoor scenes as inspiration from cityscapes to oceanscapes. They will capture the things below our feet and above our..

  • Project Runway (ages 9-12)

    Week 2: June 10-14 9:00 am-3:00 pm Robin Hartmann June 10-14 (ages 9-12) Large Hall-Annex Make it work! Explore the world of fashion by creating your own stylish designs. Using recycled clothing or starting from scratch, campers will create wearable items of..

  • Make an Impression (ages 5-8)

    Week 2: June 10-14 9:00 am-3:00 pm Anisha Sanghani (ages 5-8) June 10-14 Basement Studio This fun week of camp is all about printmaking! Students explore a variety of printmaking techniques and learn about how printmaking changed the way knowledge was shared!..

  • Cool Collage Creations (ages 8-10)

    Week 1: June 3-7 9:00 am-3:00 pm April Cooper (ages 8-10) Large Hall-Annex Students in the class will print, paint, sew and cut as they get creative with many different papers, textures, and materials as they learn about artists from the past..

  • Adult and Teen Classes

    Nurture your creativity, develop skills, reconnect with community, and learn from professional artists! 

    Registration for winter term begins December 1, 2023 at 9am. Register by Jan. 1 to receive 10% off with our Early Bird Discount! Use promo code WINTER23 at checkout.  

    SLIDING SCALE: Kennedy Heights Arts Center strives to make arts accessible to everyone. Sliding scale fees available for those in financial need. Click here apply. 

    CANCELLATION POLICY: Tuition is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another course if the student withdraws at least five days prior to the beginning of the program.

     

     

  • Clay Hand Building

    Clay Hand-Building Ages:13-Adult Instructor: Lynne Gibb Mondays, 6:30pm -8:30pm Jan. 22, 29//Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26// March 4, 11, 18, 25 Tuition: $240 (includes materials fee) or sliding scale Learn to make functional pottery and sculptural pieces of ceramic art! In this..

  • Sewing & Embroidery

    Ages:13-Adult Instructor: Robin Hartmann Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm Jan. 23, 30// Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27// March 5, 12, 19, 26 Tuition: $200 or sliding scale  Build confidence in sewing in our Sewing & Embroidery class! During this class students will learn how to..

  • Open Studio

    Open Studio Adults Facilitator: Lynne Gibb Wednesdays, 10:00am -1:00pm Dates: Jan. 24, 31//Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28// March 6, 13, 20, 27 Tuition: FREE Join us in the studio for an open and social time with fellow artists of all practices and..

  • Portrait Drawing

    Ages 13 – Adults. Instructor: Paul Loehle Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00pm Jan. 24, 31//Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28// March 6, 13, 20, 27 Tuition: $200 or sliding scale  Drawing is the vocabulary that unites all of the disciplines of art. This class will explore..

  • The Art of Collage

    The Art of Collage Ages:13-Adult Instructor: Karen Saunders Thursdays, 1:00pm -3:00pm Jan. 25//Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29// March 7, 14, 21, 28 Tuition: $200 or sliding scale In this studio class for creating collage-based works, students will work through various methods..

  • The Ways of Watercolor

    Ages: 13-Adult Instructor: Beth Goldstein Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm Jan. 25//Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29// March 7, 14, 21, 28  Tuition: $240(includes materials fee) or sliding scale Whether you are new to the medium of watercolor or are looking for a place to..

  • Tellus Zine Annual Launch Party!

    Tellus Zine Annual Launch Party! What: A Celebratory event for teens by teens! When: Saturday, April 13 from 6-8pm FREE                                              ..

  • Teen Artists for Change: Spring 2024

    Teen Artists for Change: Spring 2024 Grades 7th-12th Artist: Cedric Michael Cox Saturdays, 2:00-4:00pm March 30// April 6, 13, 20, 27// May 4, 11, 18 Tuition: FREE Teen Artists for Change (TAC) is a club for diverse young artists in grades 7-12,..

  • Blog Post Image


    2023 Vibrancy Fellow: Erika NJ Allen

    Kennedy Heights Arts Center is excited to announce our second Vibrancy Fellow of 2023: Erika NJ Allen.

    The Vibrancy Fellowship is is a 5-month residency for early career BIPOC creatives in any discipline living in Cincinnati. The Fellowship aims to meet the needs of emerging artists in an environment that empowers them to take risks and explore new creative challenges while providing an array of opportunities for artists to share, showcase and deepen their community practice.

    Erika NJ Allen is a is a Guatemalan born artist with roots that spread across many places. Allen’s artistic journey led her to receive a BFA in photography from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and an MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art.

    In May 2019, during her senior year of BFA she underwent a hysterectomy. The aftermath of this clinical yet deeply personal medical procedure prompted a profound shift in her relationship with body and sustenance, and a different outlook on both life and art. As she reimagined her diet to support her recovery, she discovered a newfound intentionality in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. These produce items became meditative, guiding her journey towards regaining strength and vitality through clay. The resulting artworks are meticulously modeled after the produce she consumed, and each piece bears the imprints of real fruits. This blurs the distinction between what is genuine and what is artificial, as ceramic, and actual fruit coexist, symbolizing her body and medical implants — one undergoing decay while the other remains unchanged.

    A transformative moment emerged when an ordinary banana unveiled an unexpected glazing technique, reshaping her porcelain and stoneware creations. This serendipitous discovery ignited a passion for experimenting with an array of produce. Furthermore, Erika’s banana artwork has transformed from its original aesthetic purpose to convey a political stance. It now symbolizes resilience in the face of hardship, representing how marginalized communities persist despite systemic obstacles.

    As an artist and a survivor, she extends a hand to anyone who wishes to share their story. Art is the conduit through which she articulates a narrative of resilience and adaptation. Erika’s journey is an invitation to engage in a dialogue, to share in the human experience, and to witness the beauty that arises when we transform adversity into art.

    In her five month fellowship at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Erika hopes to focus on expanding her workshopping skills and interaction with community members.

    RESILIENCE THROUGH CLAY
    Workshops

    Sundays, 1:00 – 3:00pm
    Register for one month (consists of 2 Sundays), or every month!

    September 10 & 24 – Empathy
    October 8 & 22 – Unity
    November 5 & 19 – Equity
    January 14 & 28 – Diversity

    Join 2023 Vibe Fellow Erika NJ Allen in a series of ceramic-infused workshops, where clay becomes a conduit for cultivating profound awareness.

    Spanning the months of September, October, November, and January, we’ll use prompts such as empathy, unity, equity, and diversity to guide our making. See unity grow from personal input, reflecting interdependence with neighbors. Participants will have the opportunity to exhibit their works in the Kennedy Gallery at KHAC in early 2024, alongside some of Erika’s own artworks created during her fellowship.

    All workshops are free but registration is required.

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    No events are currently available for registration, please check back later.

    Blog Post Image

     

    Outreach Programs

    We believe that the arts are for everyone. Kennedy Heights Arts Center provides a range of outreach programs that bring the arts out into the community. The goal of these programs is to provide access to high-quality arts education for everyone regardless of economic circumstance.

    Our experienced team of arts educators offer ongoing classes as well as one-time programs in schools, libraries, community centers, group homes and other community settings. Some locations have included:

    • Pleasant Ridge Montessori
    • Silverton Paideia Academy
    • Woodford Academy
    • Academy of World Languages
    • Talbert House
    • Cincinnati Public Libraries

    For more information about bringing a Kennedy Heights Arts Center outreach program to your organization, please contact our Director of Education.

    No events are currently available for registration, please check back later.

    Cincinnati Jazz Academy

    Since 2018, Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and Kennedy Heights Arts Center (KHAC) have partnered to provide the Cincinnati Jazz Academy, a free after-school program inspiring underserved students to develop their creative abilities through learning and performing the dynamic music of jazz.

    The Cincinnati Jazz Academy is a nationally recognized after school music program for Cincinnati Public School students in 4th-12th grade. All Jazz Academy rehearsals take place at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center Lindner Annex located at 6620 Montgomery Road. Most groups rehearse once a week from 4:30-6:00 pm. The program is directed by Dr. Isidore Rudnick, a nationally recognized music educator, jazz trombonist, conductor and composer.

    All students admitted to the Jazz Academy program receive a full tuition scholarship in the amount of $1,400. Each student is eligible to receive transportation from their school to the Kennedy Heights Arts Center and an after school snack upon arrival. A weekly private lesson will be provided for students not already taking private lessons, as well as weekly ensemble rehearsals. Students needing an instrument (except piano and drumset) will be checked out an instrument for the entire school year. The Kennedy Heights Arts Center will have a piano/keyboard, drumset and guitar and bass amplifiers already set up.

    Jazz Academy ensembles perform several concerts per year in the community, concluding with the CPS International Jazz Festival at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in May.

    To gain admission to the Jazz Academy program, students must first: (1) be nominated by their CPS school music teacher or the Jazz Academy director; (2) demonstrate both an excellent CPS attendance record and discipline record; (3) submit a completed and parent/guardian signed registration form, (4) receive a Jazz Academy acceptance correspondence. Parents/guardians will receive notification of their child’s acceptance into the jazz academy via e-mail or phone call.

    For the 2023-24 school year, large ensembles will include: Jazz Orchestra 1 (4th-6th grade), Jazz Orchestra 2 (5th-7th grade), Jazz Orchestra 3 (7th-9th grade), Big Band (7th-9th Grade), Jazz Orchestra 4 (8th-12th Grade), Beginning Elementary Ensemble (4th-6th), and Beginning JH/HS Ensemble (7th-12th Grade). Strict attendance policies outlined in the registration forms will be followed throughout the year.

    2023-24 CJA Registration for Elementary Beginning Ensemble (4th-6th Grade) on Thursdays
    2023-24 CJA Registration for Jazz Orchestra 1 (4th-6th Grade) on Mondays
    2023-24 CJA Registration for Jazz Orchestra 2 (Wednesdays)
    2023-24 CJA Registration for JH & HS Beginning Ensemble (Tuesdays)
    2023-24 CJA Registration Form for Jazz Orchestra 3 (Tuesdays)
    2023-24 CJA Registration Form for Jazz Orchestra 4 (Thursdays)

    In addition to the ensembles, we offer smaller advanced combo groups at the elementary, junior high and high school levels. The combos are reserved for Cincinnati Jazz Academy students who demonstrate high levels of commitment and dedication to playing jazz to allow them to advance their music training further, study with master guest artists, and have additional performance opportunities. Students interested in joining and performing in a combo must first be admitted and participate in one of the larger Jazz Academy ensembles mentioned above. Students who perform in a combo must also remain enrolled in the larger ensemble for the entire year to continue to remain eligible for participation in the combo. Admittance to the combos will be by invitation of the Jazz Academy director.

    Spaces in the Jazz Academy are limited to enrollment maximums in each of the instrumental categories. To inquire about how your child might join the Cincinnati Jazz Academy, or for more information, please contact Jazz Academy Director Dr. Isidore Rudnick at rudnici@cpsboe.k12.oh.us

    The Cincinnati Jazz Academy is a partnership between Kennedy Heights Arts Center and Cincinnati Public Schools with support from Activities Beyond the Classroom, Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation Artistic Excellence Fund, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund of the Greenacres Foundation, David C. Herriman Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Hamilton County Youth Resiliency Fund, Albert Harris, and private donors. 

     

     


    • Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 - 5:00
    • Saturday: 11:00 - 4:00
    • Closed Sunday - Monday