2025 Summer Programming:
Art & Design
Architecture
Ages 6-10
Students learn the fundamentals of architectural design, from sketching to model making, developing their creative problem-solving sills as they lay out floor plans and build 3D structures using cardboard and mixed media. Classes for older students focus on developing more conceptually rigorous designs, through projects based on real-life urban design and architecture case studies.
Drawing & Painting
Ages 6-10
Students explore methods of visual image-making, using a variety of drawing, sketching, and painting techniques inspired by reference, observation, and imagination. Purposeful play is used with the youngest students to develop the use of tools such as pencil, marker, pastel, paint, and ink, as well as life-skills such as confident self-expression, understanding feelings, and effective listening skills. As students’ progress, understanding is deepened through increased self-direction, discussion of artists, art history and the use of symbols, abstraction, and representation.
Sculpture & Mixed Media
Ages 6-10
Students create 3D works (or bring 2D pieces to life with added 3D elements) by transforming and combining different materials including wood, textiles, paper, paint, thread, and more. Students are taught and encouraged to use fundamental design elements such as space, texture, and line and develop building skills such as cutting, sculpting, and gluing.
Theatre
Improv
Ages 6-10
Yes, and! Through classic improv games and exercises, students develop comedic scenes and scripts as well as skills for life such as teamwork, problem-solving, confidence, and accepting feedback.
Film Acting
Ages 6-10
Acting for film requires a slightly different skillset than acting for theatre. In this class, students study the fundamentals of acting, such as goals, tactics, beats, and character journey, and then apply them to performing on camera, adding in considerations for angles, frames, and marks.
Musical Theatre
Ages 6-10
Students train as a “triple threat” in dance, music, and acting, building technique and complexity over time. Curriculum encourages students to make connections between their physical self, music, and story, and students develop their sense of self through communication and expression via song and dance.
Pricing
Please refer to Schedules found at the top of this page for detailed pricing of each package and program.
Bursaries
Finances should never prevent a child from participating in the arts. As a non-profit organization, Arts Umbrella is committed to making our programs accessible to as many children and youth in our communities as possible. The Arts Umbrella Bursary Fund allows hundreds of children to register in tuition-based programs at a reduced rate, based on your family’s financial need.
Applications for bursary funding are open to everyone. To view eligibility and submission details, please visit our Scholarships & Bursaries page. Your privacy matters to us. All applications are held in confidence.
Policies
Program Changes
Instructors or program content may change at Arts Umbrella’s discretion, without notice. Information on our online registration system should be considered the most up-to-date. Some programs and classes may have specific requirements and policies. Please contact Student Services for details.
Fees
Applicable program fees must be paid in full upon registration. A charge of $25 will apply to returned cheques. Payment can be made by cheque, cash, VISA, American Express, or MasterCard.
Withdrawal Policy
As of June 1, 2020, withdrawal requests must be received in person, by phone, or in writing 2 weeks before the first class. Withdrawal requests within this period will be refunded less 10% of the tuition fee. After this period, no refund will be provided upon withdrawal.
Instructors
Instructors are subject to change without notice. Arts Umbrella will strive to provide a substitute rather than cancel a class in the event of instructor illness. In the case of such a cancellation, a replacement attendance date will be scheduled. If it is not possible for Arts Umbrella to schedule a replacement attendance date, a pro-rated refund will be supplied to all affected students. No refund or make up is eligible for students who miss class.
Class Cancellations
Arts Umbrella reserves the right to cancel classes that do not meet minimum enrolment and will cancel classes with insufficient enrolment. Minimum enrolment numbers depend on studio capacity and availability of materials. Cancellations may be expected happen one to two weeks prior to the start date. For classes with close to minimum enrollments, classes will run for up to two weeks plus two days before a cancellation decision. Families will be notified via phone and email. Students from cancelled classes may be transferred to another class or withdraw from the class and receive a pro-rated refund with no 10% withdrawal fee deducted.
Natural disasters and severe weather events
Amounts paid for classes or class attendance dates cancelled due to circumstances out of Arts Umbrella’s control, such as natural disasters and severe weather events, are not reimbursed.
Removal for Conduct
Arts Umbrella reserves the right to remove any student who fails to comply with its rules and regulations or who engages in any activity the Directors deem contrary to the fulfillment of Arts Umbrella’s objectives and Student Code of Conduct. In such an event, Arts Umbrella will be owed the fees for the complete session or school year. Bursary recipients will be asked to reimburse the full value of any bursaries used toward their current registration.
Illness or Injury
Due to COVID-19, if your child is registered for an in-person class and becomes ill and needs to withdraw from the class you will be eligible for a pro-rated refund without a signed physician’s note.
Age
Students enrolled in session-based programs must be the age of the specific class by session start date. Students enrolled in year-long programs must be the age of the class as of December 31. Arts Umbrella reserves the right to withdraw students who have been registered in an incorrect age category.
Diapers
For the courtesy of our faculty and other students, we can only accept students who are potty-trained. Pull up diapers not allowed.
Attendance
Every child who attends a class at Arts Umbrella must be registered. Instructors do not have the ability to register students. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class and unregistered students will be directed to Student Services.
Accessibility and Medical/Learning Needs
In order to ensure our programs are accessible to all students, parents/guardians are required to inform Arts Umbrella at the time of registration of any allergies, or physical, emotional, or learning needs their children may have. Student Services will contact those who indicate such needs to ensure the appropriate accommodations are made for your student to have a positive classroom experience. We welcome any questions and feedback regarding accessibility and any other support for Arts Umbrella students.
Advertising and Publicity
Arts Umbrella reserves the right to photograph and film students and their work for advertising and publicity purposes. Arts Umbrella reserves the right to use student artwork for exhibition at no charge. Parental permission is requested at time of registration.
Mask Policy
In accordance with current direction from the Provincial Health Officer, masks are optional at Arts Umbrella. We encourage caregivers to have a conversation with their student(s) on their family’s expectation for mask wearing while in classes.
Allergies and Sensitivities
Some Arts Umbrella students have life-threatening allergies. In consideration of these students, we ask that parents/guardians please not pack any of the following in snacks/lunches for consumption at Arts Umbrella: Peanuts, tree nuts, nut products, or shellfish.
Additionally, Arts Umbrella requests that strongly scented products not be used within Arts Umbrella’s facilities such as perfumes, soaps, beauty products, or cleaning products.