Registration Info & School Policies

Four Easy Ways to Register

Online: Have your credit card ready and choose a class from the Class Schedule, then click to register and pay.

In person: During museum hours, you may drop off a printed registration form with credit card information or a check payable to “KIA.”

By phone: Have your class choice and credit card ready and call (269) 349-7775.

By mail: Mail registration form with check payable to “KIA” or credit card information to: KIA School Registration, 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo MI 49007.

Important Information

• If the class registered for is filled, applicants will be notified.
• Full payment is due at time of registration.
• The KIA reserves the right to cancel classes with low enrollment. In the event a class is canceled, full refunds will be issued.

Refund Policy

A $30 registration fee is withheld from all refunds. An additional $30 is withheld after the first day of class. No refunds are given on the day of the second class. Refunds for classes meeting eight weeks or less will only be given the day after the first class meeting. No refunds are given for Art Camp after the first day of camp. Refund requests for one- or two-day workshops and visiting artist workshops may be made up to one week before the workshop begins or as stated. An additional workshop registration fee may be withheld if noted in the class schedule. A $30 returned check fee will be charged by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. These policies are strictly enforced. Refunds are never issued for missed classes.

Scholarships

The Art School has an extensive scholarship program, based on financial need that provides an opportunity for adults and children to study art at the KIA. There are also three merit scholarships awarded annually. For more information regarding scholarships, click here.

Class Cancellations Due to Weather

Classes may be canceled due to bad weather. The decision to cancel evening classes will be made by 3 pm. In the event of inclement weather, students should visit kiarts.org for a message on the homepage, phone the KIA or watch WWMT Channel 3. When possible, classes will be rescheduled by the instructor.

School Dismissal Policy

If a student’s behavior is deemed to be rude, disruptive, or inappropriate, the instructor maintains the right to dismiss the person from the class with a warning. Students suspected of any form of substance abuse, including but not limited to drugs or alcohol, will be removed from the premises, given a warning and not be allowed to return prior to an interview and approval by the Director of the School. In the event of subsequent behavior problems or suspicion of substance abuse, they will be dismissed from the KIA without benefit of class refund or access to further programming.

Class Cancellations

We encourage students to sign up early. Classes may be canceled due to low enrollment. In the event a class is canceled, full refunds will be issued.

Lockers

Small and large lockers are available for rental through the school office.

Suggestions for a Course of Study

If you have any questions about appropriate classes for your level or which courses complement previous study, please call the school office 269-585-9266 or email for guidance.

KIA Member Priority Registration

KIA member registration begins one week before open registration each term.

Refunds

Class tuition is for an entire session. Refunds are never issued for missed classes. A $30 registration fee is withheld from all refunds. An additional $30 is withheld after the first day of class. No refunds are given the day of the second class. Refunds for classes meeting eight weeks or less will only be given the day after the first class meeting. No refunds are given for Art Camp after the first day of camp. Refund requests for one- or two-day workshops and visiting artist workshops may be made up to one week before the workshop begins or as stated. An additional workshop registration fee may be withheld if noted in the class schedule. A $30 returned check fee will be charged by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. These policies are strictly enforced.

Parking

Free parking is available in our lots on Lovell and South streets.

Promotional Photography

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts reserves the right to photograph activities that occur on its premises. These images may be used for promotional purposes.

Programs Held at the Kalamazoo Nature Center

Please closely review the locations for Kirk Newman Art School programs held onsite at the Kalamazoo Nature Center as there are several different properties at the Nature Center. For arrival and parking guidance please review the information below or visit the Plan Your Visit page on the Kalamazoo Nature Center website for more information.

• Visitors Center (Lower Classroom, Auditorium, Member’s Room): The Visitors Center is located on the main campus of the Nature Center at 7000 N. Westnedge Avenue. Upon arrival, please either follow the signs to the Visitors Center parking and/or inform the gate attendant that you are onsite for a program at the Visitors Center and they can direct you. Please park in the main Visitors Center lot and enter the building via the red bridge. Staff at the Visitor Service Desk can direct you to your location or assist you with other needs in real time. For those with disabilities, parking and EV charging is available in the lower lot. Follow the signs to access this location. Please note that parking is limited to 10 spots in the lower lot.

• Camp Barn and Sugar Shack: These buildings are located on the main campus of the Nature Center at 7000 N. Westnedge Avenue. Parking for both buildings is located in the Camp Barn parking lot. Upon arrival, please follow the signs to the Camp Barn parking lot and/or inform the gate attendant that you are onsite for a program at the Camp Barn or Sugar Shack and they can direct you. Once parked, the Barn will be located to your left. The Sugar Shack is a short walk from the parking lot and located in the Arboretum between the Nature’s Playground and the Main Amphitheatre. If you are attending a class in either location, someone will meet you on the first day to guide you to your exact meeting location.

• Carver Center: The Carver Center is located at 2343 Angling Road, just off Oakland and near I-94. Approaching the Carver Center from Oakland, there is a grouping of posts on the south side of the street just before the gravel driveway. Turn left. The Carver Center is a green single-story mid-century modern home at the top of the hill on the right hand side of the drive. You may park in Lot 1 or Lot 2 located to the left of the home’s entrance (please note that the gravel driveway needs to remain clear for emergency access). If you’ve passed these lots and reached a bridge, you’ve gone too far. Once parked, someone will meet you at the door to the Carver Center home to welcome you inside.