Registration Info & School Policies

Registration

The Kirk Newman Art School (KNAS) provides a wide range of visual arts educational programs for all ages in the disciplines of sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and digital media, fiber, jewelry and metals, and enrichment, which includes creative writing, yoga and movement, languages, and professional development. We enroll students on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is highly recommended. Class registration covers tuition for an entire session and includes some lab fees or supply fees. Full payment is due at time of registration. In addition to the class registration fee, some classes may require that students purchase some supplies separately or provide their own personal materials or tools. 

KIA Member Priority Registration

KIA member registration begins one week before open registration each term. Members receive a discounted rate off of their class tuition.

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.

Three 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 visit the School’s Registration office or visit the front desk to register with credit card information or a check payable to “KIA.”

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

Class Confirmation

Once you’ve registered and paid for your class, you will receive a receipt via email confirming your payment. Additional information may be shared with students as the class start date gets closer. This information will be sent to the email address on file with your registration and may include special announcements, details regarding supplies, or other needs. Parking and other pre-arrival information may be found on this page under “Planning Your Time at KNAS”.

Scholarships

The Kirk Newman 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. For more information regarding the scholarship program and the application deadlines each semester, please click here.

Waitlists

If a class is filled, students will be added to the waiting list for the class and provided options and ideas for similar courses. Should a spot open up in the class, students on the waitlist will be contacted in the order. To be added to the waitlist, please email Courtney Nelson at  

Student Initiated Cancellations and Refund Policy: Classes and Workshops

KNAS students who must cancel their registration in a course must inform the Kirk Newman Art School staff by phone or email prior to the start of the first class. A $30 registration fee will be withheld from all refunds. An additional $30 will be withheld if the cancellation occurs after the first class. No refunds will be given on the day of the second class. 

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 to students for classes they may have missed for personal reasons.

Student Initiated Cancellations and Refund Policy: Art Camps

Refunds may be given up to one week before the first day of camp but a $30 registration fee will be withheld. No refunds are given within a week of the start date. If your camper misses a class it cannot be made up. The nature of our scheduling does not permit make-up sessions.

No refunds are given for youth Art Camps after the first day of camp. 

A $30 returned check fee will be charged by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

School Initiated Cancellation Policy

We encourage students to sign up early for classes. Classes may be canceled due to low enrollment. In the event a class is canceled, full refunds will be issued. Registrants will be notified of any class cancellations by phone or email in a timely manner.

Class Cancellation Policy Due to Inclement Weather

Classes may be canceled due to inclement weather. Beginning-of-day decisions to close the building and cancel classes will be made by 6:30am. On days when weather conditions worsen as the day progresses, the decision to close and cancel will be made as soon as reasonably possible. Students should visit kiarts.org for a message on the homepage , phone the KIA, watch WWMT Channel 3, or monitor their emails for a cancellation message from the school or faculty member. Whenever possible, a missed class due to bad weather will be rescheduled.

Promotional Photography Policy

When you enter the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts campus, you will be entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.

You and any minor in attendance for which you are the parent or guardian consent to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to copyright, publish, broadcast, syndicate and otherwise use by name, voice, picture and statements, together with any subject matter, for any purpose, including exhibit, display, editorial, promotion, advertising or publicity purposes. You understand that this consent, which may not be revoked, shall continue indefinitely; and shall apply to all forms of exhibit, display, publication, inclusion on websites and social media, including, without limitation, film, video, sound recordings, interviews, photographs, drawings, texts and illustrations.

By entering the campus, you and any minor in attendance for which you are the parent or guardian consent to this Consent and Release and waive all obligations and rights which you have in connection therewith.

You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.

If you do not want to be photographed or recorded please see a staff member for assistance.

School Dismissal Policy

The Kirk Newman Art School (KNAS) seeks to provide a safe and productive environment for all students. If a student’s behavior is deemed to be rude, disruptive, or inappropriate, that jeopardizes the safety of themselves, others, and/or damage or loss of equipment, a plan of action will be taken in accordance with the severity of the incident. Faculty, the Director of the School, and security personnel will determine this and maintain the right to dismiss the student 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.

School Probation Policy

Safety is our number one concern, but we also realize that mistakes and poor judgment can occur for a variety of reasons. With this in mind, a student who has been warned because they have exhibited poor behavior in the past, as previously outlined in the School Dismissal Policy, may still be permitted to take a class on a probationary basis. 

A student placed on probation during their course will be expected to:

• Abide by the most updated version of safety policies in the school, or particular studio (provided at the start of each term and posted in the studio at all times.)
• Use common sense safe studio practices.
• Refrain from use of any substance that would inhibit their ability to use tools and operation machinery in the school.
• Use only the materials given/allotted to them in the class or their own.
• Be respectful of room monitors and faculty in complying with these policies if correction is necessary.
• Use only equipment on which training has been provided.

If the student violates any of these terms on their probationary period, their actions will result in the following: 

• First Violation: Warning or correction of behavior with an incident report filed if a minor injury or damage occurs.
• Second Violation: Removal from the classroom until they may return and work safely with an incident report filed.
• Third Violation: If problems persist or in severe cases, permanent removal from the classroom with an incident report filed.

Getting to the Kirk Newman Art School

With the exception of designated offsite programs, Kirk Newman Art School classes are located in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Our address is 314 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. School facilities are located in the south wing of the building on the main floor and lower level.

Parking and Building Entrances

Free parking for KNAS students is available in the KIA’s parking lots on Lovell and South streets. If you are a first-time visitor to the KIA, you may enter the building from either the north or south doors. The school is located in the south wing of the building. Front desk staff or School staff can direct you to the exact location of your class/artistic studio.

Lockers

If you’d like to keep your materials and tools onsite, small and large lockers are available for rental through the school office. Locker rentals are available for the semester or full year.

Health and Safety

The safety and well-being of the KIA community is always our first priority. Our team is committed to providing a welcoming environment and ensuring your use of our studios, facilities, and equipment is a safe and positive experience. Faculty and staff will guide students at the start of each semester regarding safe studio practices and protocols. COVID-19 guidelines are shared at registration. Should you have additional questions regarding health and safety matters, please contact school staff.

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.

Note: For all classes held at the Nature Center, please plan to dress comfortably and to wear shoes appropriate for walking or exploring the grounds. Students should also plan to bring your lunches and snacks as well as drinking water and/or refillable water bottles. For the warmer months, please consider bringing sunscreen, a sun hat, and bug spray, when necessary. If special accommodations are needed, the Nature Center may have Grit and Track chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the School office at 269-585-9266 to assist with your needs.