Class FAQs
Do I need prior experience to take classes at the Creative Workshop?
No! We welcome students with all levels of experience from first-timers, to beginners to advanced! Each session we offer a range of classes for all experience levels. Not sure which class is for you? Contact our Curriculum Coordinator, Rachael Baldanza at (585) 276-8956 for advice on which class (or classes!) would be good fit for you.
How do I register for classes?
Browse the classes available on our Classes listing, and then register online by clicking the registration links. If you find that a course is SOLD OUT, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 585.276.8959 or creativeworkshop@mag.rochester.edu about being placed on a wait list.
When registering online, MAG Members must be SIGNED IN in order for discount to automatically apply!
Do I need to be a MAG Member to sign up?
No, you do not have to be a member of the MAG to register for classes. However, MAG Members that register for Creative Workshop classes do receive special benefits.
What benefits do MAG Members receive?
Creative Workshop students save when then they join the MAG (or renew their membership)! When you register for any class at the Creative Workshop, you can save $15 off the cost of an Individual or Family/Grandparent Membership. Please note: that Individual member benefits only apply to the membership holder and cannot be used to sign up others or children for classes or camps.
Active MAG Members receive:
- 10% off the cost of classes and camps
- A full week of early, priority registration for classes
- Family/Grandparent Membership levels and above have access to our exclusive Birthday Parties for Kids
Reminder: that when registering online, MAG Members must be SIGNED IN to their account in order for the 10% discount to automatically apply.
What is your refund and cancellation policy?
All registrations are non-refundable with the exception of classes that have been canceled. We cannot prorate class fees for any student not attending all class meetings.
The Creative Workshop reserves the right to make teacher changes or cancel any class. Classes with inadequate enrollment are cancelled one week before the first meeting of the class. All fees are refunded when the Workshop cancels a class if an alternative class is not available.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?
The Creative Workshop has long strived to offer our classes at the lowest rates possible. If the price of a class is what is keeping you from considering it, please don’t hesitate to inquire about a need-based scholarship. Each year we offer scholarships to numerous students (adults and youth) through the support of many generous endowment funds.
For scholarship inquires, contact Allison Shultes, Director of Academic & Community Programs, at 585.276.8957 (ashultes@mag.rochester.edu). All scholarships are need-based and awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Where is the Creative Workshop located? Where do I park?
The Creative Workshop is located in the lower level of the MAG’s Cutler Union building (the big old building that looks like a church) and has its own handicap accessible entrance located on the North East corner of the building closest to parking lots B and D. You are welcome to park in any lot. For a map of parking lots and the MAG Campus, click here.
Do you provide materials?
YOUTH classes and camps: all materials are provided.
ADULT classes: Unless otherwise noted on the class listing, materials are NOT provided for adult classes. Material lists can be found on the class listing page—we encourage all adult students to review this list prior to the start of class and to call our office with any questions about what materials to purchase or recommendations for supplies. Adult student in ceramics classes will need to purchase clay for their own use during class. Clay in different varieties is available for purchase at the Creative Workshop at a cost of $18.00 for a 25lb bag.
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes, by request! Private lesson requests can be made by emailing creativeworkshop@mag.rochester.edu. Private lessons are coordinated on a case-by-case basis and are scheduled around instructor availability. Private lessons begin at $35.00/hour.
Will my class go into the gallery?
Depending on the class and medium being studied, instructors will build class visits to the gallery into their class curriculum. Some classes (i.e. Drawing in the Galleries) use the gallery weekly and others do not visit at all. If you’re interested in a class that uses the gallery more frequently, contact our team at creativeworkshop@mag.rochester.edu.
Can I attend classes with my child?
Youth classes at the Creative Workshop are designed as “drop-off” programs (with youth attending independently), unless otherwise noted. If your child needs extra assistance or a supporting adult to attend class with them, we are happy to accommodate that! Please make a note in the registration or call our main office at 585.276.8959 so we can ensure we share that with our instructors. Thank you!
Camp FAQs
How do I register for camps?
Browse the classes available on our Camps listing, and then register online by clicking the registration links.
Registration information questions must be completed for each camper registration. Payment in full is required at the time of registration.
When registering online, MAG Members must be SIGNED IN (upper right-hand corner of the screen) in order for discount to automatically apply!
How are camps divided?
We offer two types of camps: Art Day Camps and Clay Camps.
We are now offering three age groups for Art Day Camps:
- MINI:Ages 5–7
- JUNIOR: Ages 8–10
- SENIOR: Ages 11–13
We offer two age groups for Clay Camps:
- JUNIOR: Ages 7–9
- SENIOR: Ages 10–15
Can I sign up my child for just the morning or afternoon? Or for a single day?
No. All camps (now including Break Weeks) in the Creative Workshop are full day, week-long camps.
When does the day begin and end?
Instruction begins at 9 am and ends at 4:30 pm, but you may drop off your child as early as 8:30 am and pick up as late as 5 pm. There is no extra charge for this supervised before-care and after-care.
What do campers do during the day?
Our curriculum emphasizes artistic skill-building (especially drawing, painting, and sculpture) through creative projects. Instructors plan flexible lessons, give thorough demonstrations, and work individually with students to help them realize their own artistic strengths. Children make confident, exciting and increasingly ambitious art projects. Check out this 2021 article in 585 Kids magazine for a sense of how and why our Camps encourage building drawing and painting skills while encouraging creativity.
Do you provide lunch or snacks?
No. Campers must bring a lunch, two snacks (to eat during breaks if they want) and a drink (in a non-glass container, please) from home. We recommend that snacks be packed separately from lunches so your child is not tempted to eat lunch at snack time. No refrigeration or silverware is provided.
Labeling your camper’s lunch and leak-proof beverage container helps us avoid confusion and helps your camper locate their meal. NOTE ON FOOD: To minimize allergy risks, we ask that you avoid sending foods containing nuts or nut products.
Do campers get breaks?
Yes! Twice a day (morning and afternoon), campers get breaks to walk, stretch, relax and enjoy a snack brought from home. During the supervised hour-long recreation break, children may choose to relax and read or draw or be actively involved in games or other physical activities (indoor or outdoor, depending on the weather).
How do your Camps use the Museum?
We bring campers into the museum or onto the MAG grounds to explore the Sculpture Park at least once a week, often more. Using strategies designed to teach kids to look more carefully, our instructors help them learn to make creative decisions based on other artists’ work and realize some of the many things we all have in common.
What should my camper bring or wear?
We are an active art-studio, so NO OPEN-TOE SHOES are allowed (no flip flops or jelly shoes, please). During the mid-day recreation break you camper may be outside (weather dependent) and during that time campers are permitted to read books, use tablets or phones to play games. (The CW is not responsible for lost or broken items brought in from home).
It is recommended that campers in all camps, especially Clay Camps, wear clothing that can get messy—the clay we use is red earthenware which can stain clothing. Closed toe shoes are required in the clay studio.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?
The Creative Workshop has long strived to offer our camps at the lowest rates possible. If the price of a camp is what is keeping you from considering it, please don’t hesitate to inquire about a need-based scholarship. Each year we offer scholarships to numerous campers through the support of many generous endowment funds.
For scholarship inquires, contact Allison Shultes, Director of Academic & Community Programs, at 585.276.8957 (ashultes@mag.rochester.edu). All scholarships are need-based and awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Will I receive a registration confirmation?
Online registrations automatically generate an email acknowledgment. If you did not receive this confirmation or need another copy, please contact us at creativeworkshop@mag.rochester.edu.
For your convenience and tax purposes, MAG’s Tax ID # is listed on your email confirmation.
Who teaches Camps?
Camps are taught by the Creative Workshop’s team of teaching-artists and teaching assistants who lead the camps in high-quality art projects, demonstrations and visits to the galleries to see original works of art in the MAG collection and exhibitions. Explore Faculty Bios to meet some of our teachers!
Who do I contact for more information?
The Creative Workshop can be reached at: 585.276.8959 or at creativeworkshop@mag.rochester.edu.