The West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT) is offering free drop-in classes this fall for any high school student living in Kent County. Kicking off November 9th, students can come in Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm to try out different mediums like photography, fashion design, ceramics, music production, video production and illustration.
“Our mission is to create a culture of opportunity and to help students build their creative confidence," Casey Stratton, WMCAT’s Director of Arts and Technology said, "...“The one good thing to come out of this time is if there was a good time to try something new, it’s now.”
While the group traditionally enrolls through Grand Rapids Public Schools, Stratton said it decided to expand its reach during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s definitely in response to the funding crisis in the arts in education. Our cost per student is way, way higher than what a school district can afford, so because of our funders we are able to provide really high-quality arts programs," he explained.
Stratton said the classes are a way to provide a more equitable access to arts in technology for the younger generation.
