Enroll in SMARTS Public Classes
Why Virtual SMARTS?
SMARTS has been growing and expanding our expertise by learning best practices and effective teaching strategies for virtual learning. We have found that online classes are often discussed in ways that underestimate their potential. However, we have been amazed, inspired, empowered, and at times...challenged...on what our notions of what virtual learning could be. While we believe in-person arts teaching and learning is always better, we have found that all arts disciplines and all types of students - even students with special needs - can learn and demonstrate remarkable creativity in an online class. In some ways, there are even advantages.
SMARTS aims to set a new standard for learning in a traditional classroom setting by focusing on creating the next generation of artists and creative innovators. We now also aim to set a new standard for the effectiveness and wonder of learning in a virtual setting. We are excited for you to discover and create with us this year!
Same Community
SMARTS teachers are passionate about the art they specialize in and have empathy for the challenges student artists face as they discover their own personal identity. While online classes do affect interactions, they do not eliminate the human element of a teacher and students working on projects together with compassion and creativity.
New Perspective
SMARTS online learning benefits arts disciplines by enabling students to view the same working surface or screen as the teacher. In some ways, students get more one-on-one attention than they would in a traditional classroom setting. Suddenly, you can see up close how your teacher paints with his brush, or you can create music in the same program simultaneously with your classmates.
High Engagment
SMARTS students are just as engaged in arts learning online as in-person. We have created curriculum specifically for online learning. Providing virtual instruction means teachers can utilize different techniques they would not normally in a traditional setting to encourage and inspire students.
Access and Equity
SMARTS students are able to access our classes from the comfort and convenience of where they live. Students who could not otherwise get to SMARTS after school now have the opportunity to access quality arts education anywhere. This benefits families with busy or non-traditional schedules.
SMARTS Public Class Offerings
All SMARTS upcoming classes will be virtual until further notice. The safety and well-being of our students, families, teachers, staff, and community is important to us. SMARTS classes will be held live online via Zoom, and SMARTS teachers will instruct from safe studio spaces created at SMARTS in the Ohio One building. We are following protocol from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor Mike DeWine, and the Youngstown City Health District. We are working remotely and limiting interactions with the public. SMARTS is not open without an appointment. We have been working hard developing and piloting virtual classes in all five arts disciplines and learning what works best. Now you can receive a SMARTS education from anywhere in the world.
Explore SMARTS Classes
All SMARTS and Virtual SMARTS classes are free, open to the public, and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Virtual SMARTS Puppet Theater, Grades 3-6 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
| Virtual SMARTS Puppet Theater, Grades 3-6 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
with Amanda Beagle Turn your Zoom screen into a stage for puppets you made yourself! Design their Zoom world with a virtual background and write a story for them to perform. Supplies: popsicle sticks, old socks, brown or white paper lunch bags, glue, markers or crayons, construction paper or white paper, scissors Optional: felt, googly eyes, feathers, pom poms, pipe cleaner or any other arts supplies at home |
Capacity: 12 students
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Virtual SMARTS Cloudy with a Chance of Theater, Grades K-2
| Virtual SMARTS Cloudy with a Chance of Theater, Grades K-2 @ 2:05-3:05 pm
with Stephanie Chavara Based on the children’s book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, discover how weather changes in our atmosphere affect us on earth and put your acting skills to the test! By becoming clouds and role-playing as meteorologists, students will deepen their understanding of the cause-and-effect patterns happening right over our heads. |
Capacity: 15 students
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SMARTS Theatrical Ecosystems, Grades 4-7
| SMARTS Theatrical Ecosystems, Grades 4-7 @ 1:00-2:00 pm
with Stephanie Chavara Lights, camera, action! Learn how to create a story for an audience using characters from science class! Explore the roles that the nitrogen cycle, biodiversity, and ecosystems play in our world as we learn about the many unique roles theater artists play in a stage production. Capacity: 10 students Enroll Now |
SMARTS Songwriting for Broadway Musicals, Grades 6-12
| SMARTS Songwriting for Broadway Musicals
with Haley Beverburg You’ve been hired to write the music for a new Broadway show. Read the script and work together as a class to create songs for key parts of the musical. (We are now inviting students of any instrument to participate, not only piano). Capacity: 4 students each Grades 6-12 @ 1:30-3:00 pm Enroll Now |
Virtual SMARTS Family Drawing Fun, Grades K-12
| Virtual SMARTS Family Drawing Fun, Grades K-12 @ 2:00-3:00 pm
with Marites Eldred It’s picture-perfect! Play drawing games together with a family member where you’ll make silly portraits finish each other’s artwork. Supplies: pencil and paper or sketchbook Capacity: 15 families Enroll Now |
Virtual SMARTS Storybook Drawing, Grades 3-6
| Virtual SMARTS Storybook Drawing, Grades 3-6 @ 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
with Marites Eldred Learn to draw characters, objects, and scenery stylistically for a picture book of your imagination! Supplies: pencil and paper or sketchbook Capacity: 15 students Enroll Now |
SMARTS Social Justice Poetic Theater, Grades 8-12
| SMARTS Social Justice Poetic Theater, Grades 8-12 @ 11:20 am – 12:20 pm
with Addie Lamonge Discover the power of words in this workshop where you will learn to read as an actor, emphasizing the most powerful words in a poem that inspires change in the world. Capacity: 7 students Enroll Now |
SMARTS Dance Choreography of Photosynthesis, Grades 5-8
| SMARTS Dance Choreography of Photosynthesis, Grades 5-8 @ 2:15-3:05 pm
with Dagmar Stahl Create a narrative with dance to illustrate how plants turn light into food! Learn how dance choreography uses storytelling through movement to educate and inspire others on a range of scientific topics. |
Capacity: 10 students
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SMARTS Word Dance, Grades 1-4
| SMARTS Word Dance, Grades 1-4 @ 11:45 am – 12:35 pm
with Dagmar Stahl Discover the meanings of new words in storybooks and play dance games to use them in your own stories! Capacity: 10 students Enroll Now |
Virtual SMARTS Soundtracks, Grades 5-9
| Virtual SMARTS Soundtracks, Grades 5-9 @ 12:00-1:00 pm
with Simon Kenneally Every song is written from someone’s perspective. Learn how to write songs from multiple vantage points using I/you/he/she/it to create yours or someone else’s soundtrack theme song! Capacity: 15 students Enroll Now |
Become a SMARTS Student Today!
To take SMARTS free classes and to receive communication about SMARTS class offerings, complete a new student application.
About Us
SMARTS, Students Motivated by the Arts, is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art school.
Address: 25 East Boardman Street, First Floor, Youngstown, Ohio 44503
Phone: 330-574-2787
Email: info@smarts.tunahelper.net
Our Classes
SMARTS classes have been free and open to the public since 1997. To become a SMARTS student and receive regular communication about our class offerings, complete a new student application. Classes are filled on a first-come, first serve basis.