Please note - These are past offerings, a taste of what we offer.
2023 coming soon!
Past Course offerings
MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS & INNOVATION COURSES
(rising 5th-7th grades)
2023 coming soon!
Past Course offerings
MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS & INNOVATION COURSES
(rising 5th-7th grades)
Theatre
Improv |
Play is an integral part of theatre. Students will explore play through improvisation to help build a love of theatre , have fun, and in the process, build their stage and life confidence. The ultimate goal is to tap into their imagination and help them grow within an ensemble setting.
Devised Theatre|
Express yourself and your ideas with theatrics! Create your own character, develop your storytelling strategies, and explore your imagination while working together to produce an original piece of theatre.
Designing and Exploring with Marionettes |
In this multi-dimensional class, students will not only design and build marionette puppets, but they will also explore the depth of human emotions and how to effectively depict that for the stage. Students will learn to enhance their own acting ability by emoting through an inanimate object and in that sense, bring their puppet to life.
Play is an integral part of theatre. Students will explore play through improvisation to help build a love of theatre , have fun, and in the process, build their stage and life confidence. The ultimate goal is to tap into their imagination and help them grow within an ensemble setting.
Devised Theatre|
Express yourself and your ideas with theatrics! Create your own character, develop your storytelling strategies, and explore your imagination while working together to produce an original piece of theatre.
Designing and Exploring with Marionettes |
In this multi-dimensional class, students will not only design and build marionette puppets, but they will also explore the depth of human emotions and how to effectively depict that for the stage. Students will learn to enhance their own acting ability by emoting through an inanimate object and in that sense, bring their puppet to life.
Music
Digital Music Production |
Have you ever wanted to produce your own music? Now is your chance! This class is all about using DAW software to record, produce and edit all types of music. Including, but not limited to rock and roll, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. The final product will be an original recorded composition. Students who wish to sing or record themselves playing an instrument are strongly encouraged to join us!
Strings! |
In this class we will be exploring new and exciting ways of playing string instruments together. Using games, composition activities, and music technology we will work together to produce a short concert we will perform at the end of the session. This is a great opportunity to try out an instrument you haven’t played before, or enhance the skills you already have on your favorite string instrument! The violin, viola, cello, and bass will all be offered in this class, and students will receive a recording of their final performance.
School of Rock!|
Have you ever wanted to be in a Rock Band? Now is your chance to play and record! Chose to play the guitar, bass, drums or piano. No prior experience necessary!
Have you ever wanted to produce your own music? Now is your chance! This class is all about using DAW software to record, produce and edit all types of music. Including, but not limited to rock and roll, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. The final product will be an original recorded composition. Students who wish to sing or record themselves playing an instrument are strongly encouraged to join us!
Strings! |
In this class we will be exploring new and exciting ways of playing string instruments together. Using games, composition activities, and music technology we will work together to produce a short concert we will perform at the end of the session. This is a great opportunity to try out an instrument you haven’t played before, or enhance the skills you already have on your favorite string instrument! The violin, viola, cello, and bass will all be offered in this class, and students will receive a recording of their final performance.
School of Rock!|
Have you ever wanted to be in a Rock Band? Now is your chance to play and record! Chose to play the guitar, bass, drums or piano. No prior experience necessary!
Visual Art
Explorations in Watercolor |
Do you love to paint? There is so much more to using watercolor than you can imagine! Let's learn about various techniques! Did you know that you can paint on wet paper as well as dry paper? And, you can use salt and bleach to create special effects! Come explore all of the exciting ways to paint with this very familiar media.
Found Art Creations |
After exploring the art of artists such as Louise Nevelson, Joseph Cornell, and Ray Papka, students will create found object/assemblage sculptures in the styles of these artists. Then, using materials they find at home and in their community, students will use the artists as inspiration to develop their own style as they use everyday objects to create interesting art structures.
Upscaling Recycled Furniture |
One person's trash can be another person's treasure! Students will research and study a master artist of their own choosing. Then, using found and donated furniture as a canvas, students will reproduce a favorite work in a way all of their own. Thus, giving new life to a discarded item.
What Can Paper Do? |
Have you ever thought of paper as a way to express yourself? Have you tried building with paper? Create with paper by cutting, folding, tearing, and assembling various paper shapes to create abstract and geometric 3-D forms. Students explore the endless possibilities of paper as a sculptural medium, and become more comfortable working with and manipulating paper.
Wonders of Our Wetlands |
Art meets Science -- Campers will explore our native wetlands here in Louisiana through scientific techniques and an artistic lens. Activities will include science, art, poetry and theatre. Who was Walter Anderson? How do you measure and track water quality? How to represent the fragile world around you and spur action to help preserve it?
Mask Making Workshop |
Living in New Orleans, we are familiar with many fantastic types of masks! Artistically, masks are among the most remarkable objects created by traditional civilizations. In this class, we will explore this remarkable art form. What kinds of mask are there? Why do people make masks? How do masks make us feel? How do masks differ between different cultures. We will also construct different styles of masks. Ultimately they will use the learned techniques to construct a paper mache’ mask.
Explorations in Sculpture Design |
What exactly defines something as a sculpture? Where are most sculptures found? What are some of the ways artists create sculptures? Throughout the course of 2 weeks, we will create 3-dimensional art using materials including, but not limited to paper mache, clay, mosaic and wire.
Do you love to paint? There is so much more to using watercolor than you can imagine! Let's learn about various techniques! Did you know that you can paint on wet paper as well as dry paper? And, you can use salt and bleach to create special effects! Come explore all of the exciting ways to paint with this very familiar media.
Found Art Creations |
After exploring the art of artists such as Louise Nevelson, Joseph Cornell, and Ray Papka, students will create found object/assemblage sculptures in the styles of these artists. Then, using materials they find at home and in their community, students will use the artists as inspiration to develop their own style as they use everyday objects to create interesting art structures.
Upscaling Recycled Furniture |
One person's trash can be another person's treasure! Students will research and study a master artist of their own choosing. Then, using found and donated furniture as a canvas, students will reproduce a favorite work in a way all of their own. Thus, giving new life to a discarded item.
What Can Paper Do? |
Have you ever thought of paper as a way to express yourself? Have you tried building with paper? Create with paper by cutting, folding, tearing, and assembling various paper shapes to create abstract and geometric 3-D forms. Students explore the endless possibilities of paper as a sculptural medium, and become more comfortable working with and manipulating paper.
Wonders of Our Wetlands |
Art meets Science -- Campers will explore our native wetlands here in Louisiana through scientific techniques and an artistic lens. Activities will include science, art, poetry and theatre. Who was Walter Anderson? How do you measure and track water quality? How to represent the fragile world around you and spur action to help preserve it?
Mask Making Workshop |
Living in New Orleans, we are familiar with many fantastic types of masks! Artistically, masks are among the most remarkable objects created by traditional civilizations. In this class, we will explore this remarkable art form. What kinds of mask are there? Why do people make masks? How do masks make us feel? How do masks differ between different cultures. We will also construct different styles of masks. Ultimately they will use the learned techniques to construct a paper mache’ mask.
Explorations in Sculpture Design |
What exactly defines something as a sculpture? Where are most sculptures found? What are some of the ways artists create sculptures? Throughout the course of 2 weeks, we will create 3-dimensional art using materials including, but not limited to paper mache, clay, mosaic and wire.
Media Arts
Introduction to Digital Photography |
Have you ever wanted to combine and transform different photographs into something new? This class will provide a basic introduction to Adobe Photoshop while learning digital manipulation and photographic concepts like composition and lighting. Students will walk away with creative pieces of artwork that go beyond the results of traditional photography.
Game Design |
Sorry, Clue, Monopoly, Risk, Candy Land and Pictionary are just some of the country's most popular games! Now it's time to create your own! After playing multiple games, this class will learn and discuss the strategy that makes them great. Then, it's time to apply some of the ideas to design a game of your own.
Music Video Production |
Music videos combine fantastic cinematography with song, dance, and storytelling. Have a favorite song you’d like to create a video for? This is the class for you. Learn to use high quality video equipment and professional editing software to create dynamic music videos.
Introduction to Photography |
How does a camera work? How can I take the best picture possible? These are questions that photographers ask. In this class students will have the opportunity to learn about different types of photography while shooting and printing images with professional software like Adobe Lightroom. Students will walk away from the class with beautiful photographs in addition to an understanding of composition and camera basics.
Have you ever wanted to combine and transform different photographs into something new? This class will provide a basic introduction to Adobe Photoshop while learning digital manipulation and photographic concepts like composition and lighting. Students will walk away with creative pieces of artwork that go beyond the results of traditional photography.
Game Design |
Sorry, Clue, Monopoly, Risk, Candy Land and Pictionary are just some of the country's most popular games! Now it's time to create your own! After playing multiple games, this class will learn and discuss the strategy that makes them great. Then, it's time to apply some of the ideas to design a game of your own.
Music Video Production |
Music videos combine fantastic cinematography with song, dance, and storytelling. Have a favorite song you’d like to create a video for? This is the class for you. Learn to use high quality video equipment and professional editing software to create dynamic music videos.
Introduction to Photography |
How does a camera work? How can I take the best picture possible? These are questions that photographers ask. In this class students will have the opportunity to learn about different types of photography while shooting and printing images with professional software like Adobe Lightroom. Students will walk away from the class with beautiful photographs in addition to an understanding of composition and camera basics.
Dance & Movement
Karate |
Martial Arts provide the practitioner with physical education, while at the same time they focus on body mechanics that translate into self-defense. Embedded within the disciplines, are valuable lessons on body movement and performance, which can crossover into other arts. Karate is a Japanese martial art, which originated on the island of Okinawa. It developed further on mainland Japan, and was popularly disseminated to the rest of the world in the later half of the 20th century. It specializes in punches, kicks, blocks, and footwork. Karate is not only a physical, but also a mental discipline. The practitioners will learn how to concentrate physically and mentally. We also educate the students in martial arts philosophy, which stresses the importance of respecting others, centering one’s mind, and refraining from violent behavior. You can find out more about the New Orleans Shotokan Academy at NOSAkarate.com
Martial Arts provide the practitioner with physical education, while at the same time they focus on body mechanics that translate into self-defense. Embedded within the disciplines, are valuable lessons on body movement and performance, which can crossover into other arts. Karate is a Japanese martial art, which originated on the island of Okinawa. It developed further on mainland Japan, and was popularly disseminated to the rest of the world in the later half of the 20th century. It specializes in punches, kicks, blocks, and footwork. Karate is not only a physical, but also a mental discipline. The practitioners will learn how to concentrate physically and mentally. We also educate the students in martial arts philosophy, which stresses the importance of respecting others, centering one’s mind, and refraining from violent behavior. You can find out more about the New Orleans Shotokan Academy at NOSAkarate.com
Science & Innovation
Stop Motion Claymation |
Students will write their own screenplay then create their own characters in order to develop their own claymation movie.
Brown Bag Challenge |
What is the Brown Bag Challenge? Each day, every child will be given a bag of supplies and a challenge to create something with their supplies. It could be a toy. It could be a tool. It could be an instrument. It could be an independent project. It could be a team creation. Who knows!
Wonders of Our Wetlands |
Art meets Science -- Campers will explore our native wetlands here in Louisiana through scientific techniques and an artistic lens. Activities will include science, art, poetry and theatre. Who was Walter Anderson? How do you measure and track water quality? How to represent the fragile world around you and spur action to help preserve it?
Robotics |
Like building and designing things? Like challenges and technology? This class is a great introduction to robotics and an opportunity to build and explore with easy-to-use robotics materials
Robotics II |
Like building and designing things? Like challenges and technology? This class will build on last year's and take Robotics to the next level
*Must have experience working with Robotics
Creative Coding! |
Explore beginning coding and use the computer to create art! Students in this class will work with simple programming to learn new ways to create using technology.
Already have some programming experience? Great! Take your skills to the next level to create something amazing!
Drawbot Coding! |
Take creative coding to a new level! Using the Drawbot (a robot that draws) students will write simple programs to create 2-dimensional visual art.
Students will write their own screenplay then create their own characters in order to develop their own claymation movie.
Brown Bag Challenge |
What is the Brown Bag Challenge? Each day, every child will be given a bag of supplies and a challenge to create something with their supplies. It could be a toy. It could be a tool. It could be an instrument. It could be an independent project. It could be a team creation. Who knows!
Wonders of Our Wetlands |
Art meets Science -- Campers will explore our native wetlands here in Louisiana through scientific techniques and an artistic lens. Activities will include science, art, poetry and theatre. Who was Walter Anderson? How do you measure and track water quality? How to represent the fragile world around you and spur action to help preserve it?
Robotics |
Like building and designing things? Like challenges and technology? This class is a great introduction to robotics and an opportunity to build and explore with easy-to-use robotics materials
Robotics II |
Like building and designing things? Like challenges and technology? This class will build on last year's and take Robotics to the next level
*Must have experience working with Robotics
Creative Coding! |
Explore beginning coding and use the computer to create art! Students in this class will work with simple programming to learn new ways to create using technology.
Already have some programming experience? Great! Take your skills to the next level to create something amazing!
Drawbot Coding! |
Take creative coding to a new level! Using the Drawbot (a robot that draws) students will write simple programs to create 2-dimensional visual art.
Culture & Art
Herbology Bookmaking |
Do you like the outdoors? Do you like to write? Join us to design and build your own journal from cover to cover. Then go on daily nature walks to collect plant samples to create an herbarium! Learn a variety of poetry forms related to nature in order to write creative literature/journal entries inspired by their experiences in nature. It’s all very Transcendental!
Novellas Come to Life |
Novellas: longer than a short story and shorter than a novel. Read and analyze a novella within a team and recreate key scenes using your imagination and a variety of artistic mediums.
YarnWorks! |
Are you looking for a way to relax after school while also giving back to the community? YarnWorks! is better than a fidget spinner and less mind-numbing than video games (or your new found dexterity might improve your video game score). Students will learn various needle work skills - crochet, cross stitch, macrame - to make a variety of products like keychains, hats, blankets, hot drink koozies, etc. One final product- baby throw or hat - will be donated to a charitable organization for babies and small children that serves our community, which will allow to see their yarn creations at work!
Mardi Gras in June! |
Where do the ideas behind those fabulous parades come from? Who are the people behind the masks? Let's dive into the history of Carnival and all of the people and traditions that make it the fabulous tradition we all share. Through interactive research, we will learn the history of Mardi Gras Krewes, Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, Riding and Walking Groups, and Mardi Gras Indians; then we will create our own Krewes. And, while learning the art of throw-making, we will design and decorate fantastic memorabilia that may just become the hottest new throw for Mardi Gras 2020!
