Art & Design Programs
Art Start
Ages 3-5
Press GO on your child’s journey with art. Young artists engage with shape, colour, pattern, and culture, while getting to know art materials and supplies.
Cartooning
Ages 6-8
From your mind to the page, create a character worthy of comic books. Participants design cartoon characters, backgrounds, and more using pencils, pastels, markers, and paper cut-outs.
Character Design & Illustration
Ages 9-12, 10-13
Students develop their skills to draw stylized and realistic character concepts for use in comics, cartoons, and animation. Participants will also gain knowledge to apply to illustrating dynamic body positions and creating compelling characters.
Digital Animation
Ages 13-17
In this class, students bring their drawings to life with animation tools and programs using our mobile media cart. At early levels, lessons cover topics like frame rate, timelines, and the process of frame-by-frame animation. Expanding on that curriculum at higher levels, teens work on projects that challenge their artistic practices.
Drawing & Painting
Ages 4-6, 6-8, 9-12, 10-13, 13-17
Get inspired by abstract concepts, still life, and celebrated artists. Participants hone their visual perception through the study of composition, colour, and art history, then apply their ideas to the page using a variety of materials.
Kid Tech
Ages 6-8
Children are introduced to the computer by exploring their ideas using different software in this class. Students create digital art using original photos, Photo Booth shots, and digital downloads. Kids will also record sound and explore their new understanding of animation.
Media Arts
Ages 9-12
Go digital! This class introduces students to various styles of media arts and gets them working with Mac computers and software such as Photoshop, Photo Booth, and Illustrator. Lesson topics range from perspective, movement, and space, to investigating how music affects motion and mood.
Mixed Media
Ages 4-6
Go beyond traditional materials to study various art forms and explore design through experimental methods. Students work with a variety of materials such as wood, paint, and found objects to create unique 2D and 3D artworks.
Theatre, Music & Film Programs
Acting
Ages 6-8, 9-12
Be curious, be bold, and be yourself. Students will explore a variety of age-appropriate acting tools and techniques such as the relationship between the physical body and character. Students develop imagination, creativity, self-confidence, and empathy in a fun and expressive way.
Acting for the Camera
Ages 6-8, 9-12
Develop on-camera acting skills through exercises, readings, and improvisation. Young actors build confidence and self-awareness both on- and off-camera. Students also learn how to prepare as an actor and tackle creative projects like how to develop a dynamic character.
Creative Drama
Ages 3-5, 4-6
The world of theatre is revealed to children in this exciting, interactive, and expressive acting class. Young actors will develop imagination, creativity, and self-confidence through fun theatre exercises that explore the relationship between the physical body and storytelling, discovering ways of relating to one another and the world.
Dress Up Drama
Ages 3-5
Story time sets the scene for your child’s journey through the landscape of imagination. Theatre exploration gives kids a stage where they can develop listening and social skills, gain self-confidence and self awareness, as well as be creative, in an environment in which kids feel safe and inspired to express themselves. Whether pretending to be fantastical creatures and characters with the help of Arts Umbrella’s costume trunks, or using inspiration to propel stories of their creation, Dress Up Drama class is a place where kids can feel proud, have fun, and maybe… be a little silly.
Film Intensive
Ages 10-13
Join a group of like-minded actors and get hands on experience working on camera to take your acting to the next level. Craft your performance in a scene using text and character work to exploring filming on set. Learn how to be in the moment, how to surprise yourself in your work, and hone your audition techniques for film and television.
Making Music
Ages 4-6
Nurture a love of music, movement, and theatre. This interactive class uses song, percussion, and musical stories to explore artistic expression, and introduces your child to melody and rhythm.
Musical Theatre
Ages 6-8, 9-12
Sing, dance, act – you can do it all! Students learn to work as a team learning one or more ensemble pieces from Broadway musicals. Let your inner star shine as you explore vocal training, choreography, and improvisation.
Musical Theatre Intensive
Ages 10-13
Join us for a full week in singing, dancing and acting, and experience the thrill of staging and performing a musical. Working with our director/choreographer, and musical director, students will be rehearse a number of ensemble songs as well as solo performances.
Sketch Comedy & Improv
Ages 13-19
Be bold and take your comedic and improv skills to the next level with the Sketch Comedy and Improv Intensive. Through a mixture of improvisation and writing, young actors will gain creative thinking, team building, and communication skills that will benefit them on the stage and in everyday life. Industry professionals will help you develop your technique, discipline and artistry.
Sketch Comedy Intensive
Ages 13-19
Through a mixture of improvisation and writing, young actors will gain creative thinking, team building, and communication skills that will benefit them on the stage and in everyday life. Industry professionals will help you develop your technique, discipline and artistry. Work with other creative minds to explore, devise, and create sketches that will have them rolling in the aisles.
Theatre Intensive
Ages 10-13
Take to the stage and trust your instincts! In this one-week program, you’ll hone your acting chops, and improve your rehearsal and performance skills. Through theatre exercises, character study, and voice work, you’ll learn to make strong, consistent choices about your roles on stage. It’s the best way to feel confident in front of an audience.
Voice Over
Ages 6-8, 9-12
From cartoons to commercials, and radio to video games, voiceover is an integral part of an actor’s tool belt. In this class, students learn microphone technique and studio etiquette, and play with character voices as they explore the world of voice acting and see how to bring a script to life.
Pricing
Please refer to Schedules found at the top of this page for detailed pricing of each package and program.
Early Learning Half-Day Packages (Ages 3-5): $220
Half-Day Programs (Ages 5-19): $325
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.
COVID-19
The health and safety of our students, staff, and families is important to us. Students are not permitted to attend class if they are exhibiting any symptoms of a cold, flu or COVID-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, coughing or sneezing, or other symptoms as described by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the BC Ministry of Health and BC Centre for Disease Control, or is required to self-isolate. Any student that attends an Arts Umbrella class with these symptoms will not be permitted in the facility.