Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts offers programs for children and families

  • Author By Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts staff
  • August 26, 2024

Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts offers programs in visual arts, drama, and music for children and families in the Bloomington-Normal area.

Saturdays of Creativity: Fall 2024 Visual Art and Creative Drama classes for children

For children in kindergarten (5 years old) through eighth grade, weekly workshops will be held on Saturdays, September 7, 14, 21, 28, and October 5, 2024.

A child works with colorful beads during an artmaking activity while other children work on projects in the background.
A child works on an art activity.
Two children work on an art activity using paint.
A child wearing purple glasses inside of a purple frame performs during the Saturday Morning Visual Arts and Creative Drama program.
Two children, one with a crown and one with a scepter during a Creative Drama activity.

The Visual Art program allows children (grades K-8th grade) to creatively express thoughts and ideas using a variety of materials and processes while learning about art and artists from various countries and cultures. Sessions are taught in nine different groups where students will participate based on their grade. Classes will take place from 9 to 10:50 a.m. in the Center for the Visual Arts on Illinois State University’s campus. Registration closes Wednesday, September 4. For questions, email Felix Rodriguez Suero at fvrodri@IllinoisState.edu. If you need accommodations to fully participate in this program, please call (309) 438-7938.

Register now for Art

The Creative Drama program develops skills in theatre through imagination, creativity, and exploration while using communication and collaboration abilities. Classes are taught from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Milner Library on Illinois State University’s campus. For children in grades K-6th grade. Registration closes Wednesday, September 4. For questions, e-mail Michael Vetere at mjvetere@IllinoisState.edu If you need accommodations to fully participate in this program, please call (309) 438-7938.

Register now for Creative Drama

Music classes through String Project and Community School for the Arts

Students in the String Project program sit with their instruments at a rehearsal
Students in the String Project program sit with their violins at a rehearsal
Students in the String Project program at a rehearsal

The award-winning Illinois State University String Project is an after-school music program that offers low-cost instruction on stringed instruments to children in the community. The program supports existing public school string programs and provides a string education to children who are homeschooled or enrolled in schools where no string program is available.

Students in String Project meet for weekly group classes under the guidance of Illinois State University faculty, graduate, and undergraduate music majors. Students perform two large concerts each year at the Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Illinois State University. Other performance opportunities include solo recitals for students enrolled in private lessons, the Honors Recital, and appearances at community events such as the Worldwide Day of Play and Make Music Normal. Beginner classes for students entering 3rd and 4th grade (at least 8 years old by September 1) are available with continued classes for 4th through 8th grade. For more information about the classes and to register, visit the String Project website.

An information night for new families will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10 in Cook Hall, room 308.

The Community School for the Arts offers one-on-one private lessons on all major band and orchestral instruments (wind/brass/percussion/strings), piano, and voice for students ages five through adult. 30-minute, 45-minute, or 1-hour lessons are offered each week for a 14 week fall session. For more information e-mail csamusic@IllinoisState.edu.

University Galleries

Located in Uptown Normal, University Galleries features both emerging and more established artists, as well as work by Illinois State University students and faculty members.

University Galleries provides guided tours and workshops for K-12 students and community organizations; artist lectures, poetry readings, and concerts; pop-up exhibitions; and more. All exhibitions and events are free and open to the public.

Upcoming events for fall 2024 include independent drawing hours, sensory-friendly art-viewings, all-ages artmaking workshops.

For more information about upcoming events and exhibitions currently on view, visit Galleries.IllinoisState.edu.

Find University Galleries on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and sign up to receive email updates through the newsletter. Please contact Gallery@IllinoisState.edu or call (309) 438-5487 if you need to arrange an accommodation to participate in any events.

Children create artwork at a University Galleries workshop.
Children create artwork at a University Galleries workshop.
Children create artwork at a University Galleries workshop.
Children create artwork at a University Galleries workshop.
Children create stop animation artwork at a University Galleries workshop.
Children create artwork using markers at a University Galleries workshop.

Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts offers more than 300 events open to the public annually. Visit the University events calendar for more information.

Units

Music, Theatre and Dance, University Galleries, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Wonsook Kim School of Art