Community School of the Arts (CSA)
The Community School of the Arts offers classes, camps and performance opportunities for children ages 2 through 18.
Kansas City Young Audiences' CSA is the only program to offer classes in dance, theatre, music, and visual art in the same place, at the same time. Private instruction is also available in vocal and instrumental music. CSA classes meet during the day, after school, and on Saturdays. During the summer, full and half-day, weeklong Summer Camps offer outstanding opportunities for children to express themselves.
Why choose KCYA - Community School of the Arts for your performing & visual arts classes?
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Small class sizes
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Professional teaching artists
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Age appropriate curriculum
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Variety of arts disciplines taught in one place
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Convenient Midtown location
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Scholarships and payment plans are available
Try it Week: 9/3 - 9/7
Enrollment Information & FAQ
What are the Session Dates? CSA Session Dates Fall 2024: Sept 3-Dec 14 Spring 2024: Jan 21-May 3 Private lessons are arranged with Private Teaching Artist and lessons fall withing the Session dates.
Can I enroll after the session has started? Late Enrollments & Pro-rated Fees We encourage you to enroll prior to the first day of class. However, we will do our best to accommodate late enrollments and to pro-rate the fees accordingly. Any enrollment after the fourth week of the session requires the teaching artists approval. Enrollments for private instruction lessons must be arranged through the Teaching Artist.
What are typical business hours? Hours Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 7:30pm Saturday: 9:00am – 12:00pm The Business Office is open Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
What about inclement weather? Inclement Weather On inclement weather days, a decision may need to be made to cancel classes. We will make that decision by 2:00pm on weekdays or by 8:00am on Saturdays. We also reserve the right to cancel classes later than that if the weather conditions worsen. You may call the office at 816.531.4022, check our website homepage: www.kcya.org or visit our Facebook page for the latest information. We have reserved the week after the final week of the Session for make-up classes.
Summer Camp questions? Camp Details All camps are held at KCYA: 3732 Main Street, KC, MO 64111 All summer camps meet Monday-Friday (except the week of June 17 and July 4th) Camp begins at 8:30, campers may begin arriving at 8:00am Campers need to be picked up no later than 10 minutes after the end of camp (12:00 for half day camps, 4:00 for full day camps) Extended Daycare is available until 5:30pm for an additional fee All campers should bring a waterbottle Full day campers must bring a lunch (this includes campers attending 2 half-day camps) AM and PM snacks are provided Most Camps conclude with an end of the week camp performance on Friday. Specific information will be distributed on the first day of the camp.
What is the illness policy? Illness Policy Community School of the Arts policy (based on CDC recommendations) requires a child stay home if he or she has: Has a fever of 100.4 or higher Has been vomiting or has diarrhea (within 24 hrs) Sore throat if you suspect a strep infection, even if there is not fever. Drainage from an ear or eye (may indicate infection) Severe cough that may be uncontrollable. Frequent sneezing and coughing. This spreads sickness to others. 24 Hour Rule: Fever: Keep your child home until his or her FEVER has gone WITHOUT medicine for 24 hours. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow recovery and make others sick. Vomiting or Diarrhea: Keep your child home for 24 hours after last time he or she vomited or had diarrhea. Antibiotics: Keep your child home until 24 hours after the First dose of antibiotic for anything like ear infection, strep, or pneumonia. Please consult your doctor promptly if there is any doubt about the condition of your child. Follow the directions from your child’s physician or school nurse before sending your child back to school or other activities following a communicable disease. Whenever possible, KCYA will notify parents of a communicable disease incidence as appropriate.
Questions about enrollment? All enrollments are processed online through Active Camp and Class Manager. There is a small (4%) fee added to the class costs to cover part of the administration fees. You'll create your own secure account at ACTIVE CAMP & CLASS MANAGER. Click here to login to your Active Camp & Class Manager account. Who should I talk to about enrolling in a class? Enollments are processed online. If you have questions, please call Andi Gilbertson at 816.531.4022 x1000. Private instruction is offered through a number of fabulous teaching artists who you should contact directly.
What if I need to miss a class? Missing Classes or Lessons Please call 816.531.4022 to report an absence. Sorry, there are no make-ups for group classes, except for those classes we cancel due to weather. Some dance and acting class students may be able to make up a missed class by attending a similar class or a class one level lower than their current class.
Where are the CSA classes held? Where do we park? What is the drop off/pick up policy? All classes are held at 3732 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri 64111 Where do we park? All KCYA families are encouraged to park in our lot (3732 Main St.) if space is available. If the KCYA lot is full, you may park across the street (3731 Main Street) and use the crosswalk at 37th Street. After 5pm or on weekends you may also park at The Whole Person (3710 Main St.). Student Drop off and Pick up Policy Drop off: Students can either walk themselves or be escorted by a parent/guardian to the building entrance. Students may go directly to their class or, if early, may wait in the Family Lounge. Parents/guardians may wait inside until class dismissal. Students may arrive as early as 10 minutes before their class start time. Pick up: Parents/guardians of children ages up to 10 years should be near the classroom door at dismissal time to escort your student out of the building. Parents/guardians of children 11 and older may meet near the classroom door, in the Family Lounge, at the building entrance/exit, or you may choose to meet your child in the parking lot at dismissal time. Please make sure your child knows where to meet you. For their safety, students will not be allowed to wait outside. Students must be picked up within ten minutes of their class ending time. If you know you will be late, please give us a call. KCYA staff will be at the entrance/exit of the building to assist students as needed.
What should I know about Student Demonstrations and recitals? Student Demonstrations Typically, each group class will participate in an end of session demonstration during the final week of class for the Fall session. For the Spring Session. Students will have the opportunity to be part of the Spring Spectacular, an all CSA event where theatre students will perform an original play, dance, and music students will perform between scenes to help the story along, and art students will present in a preshow gallery. Private Student Recitals: Private instruction teaching artists will communicate with you about student recital opportunities.
What is the class cancellation policy? Cancellation & Refund Policy CLASS Cancellation & Refund Policy If you withdraw from any class prior to the first meeting, we will issue a full refund less the processing fee. Our goal is to find the perfect class for your child. If your child is not happy in their class please let us know and we’ll do what we can to find a better fit. However, after the fourth week of the session it’s difficult to transfer students into a class and the decision to accept an additional student will be made in conjunction with the teaching artist. Class credits (less the processing fee) will be issued for those who withdraw from a class after the first session if a different class is not available. Credits will remain on your account and may be used for any future classes or camps. All CSA classes require a minimum of 5 student enrollments. Should the minimum number of students not be reached, class will be cancelled and a refund will be issued. Enroll early and tell a friend to help ensure that all classes make! CAMP Cancellation & Refund Policy Prior to May 1st camp fees are refundable (less the 4% processing fee) May 1- May 30 camp fees are refundable at 50% (less the 4% processing fee) Beginning June 1 there are no refunds for camp fees, but campers may transfer to another week during the 2024 summer. The seasonal nature of our program precludes any refund, camp credit, or reduction for late or non-arrival, early withdrawal, or student cancellation within two weeks of the program for any reason.
What should my student wear to class? CSA Music, Theatre and Art class Attire Student should wear what is comfortable for them. For visual art classes, it is suggested that students not wear anything that that might get ruined if paint or art supplies were spilt on them. (We do provide paint smocks as an option when creating messy art to help avoid this.) CSA Dance Class Attire Pre-Ballet and Ballet I-VI Classes: Ladies: solid color leotard, pink tights and pink leather ballet slippers. Hair must be pulled away from the face in a bun or ponytail. Please bring rubber hair bands and barrettes to each class. Gentlemen: T-shirt, black leggings or bike shorts, and white or black leather ballet slippers. Hip Hop: Loose fitting clothes and bare feet or sneakers that are only worn for Hip Hop class. (Please, no street shoes in the dance studios.) Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Dance for Musical Theatre, LDC, Teen/Tween Ballet: Loose fitting clothes or leotard and jazz pants with jazz shoes or ballet slippers. Hair in ponytail. Parent and Me Pre-Ballet, Tiny Creative Movement: Adults in Parent & Me class should wear comfortable clothes and socks or bare feet. No leotards required. Children can wear comfortable clothes and bare feet or the same attire as Pre-Ballet. Tap/Jazz: Loose fitting clothes or leotard and jazz pants (Gentlemen: t-shirt, black leggings or bike shorts) All dancers will need tap shoes and/or jazz shoes or ballet slippers. Hair must be pulled away from face in a bun or ponytail. Please bring rubber bands and barrettes to each class. Dance Shoes should never be worn outside, only in the Dance Studio. Street shoes are not allowed on the dance floor.
Scholarships
Kansas City Young Audiences Community School of the Arts believes that all children deserve access to the arts! With the support of our funders we are able to provide scholarships on a 'first-come, first-served' basis for group classes. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer scholarships for private lessons.
General Scholarship Information
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A limited number of scholarships are available each session.
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Scholarships may be awarded for up to 60% of class fee
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Only one group class per session may be taken on scholarship
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1/3 of the total amount due per student must be paid prior to the first day of class.
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Applications will be accepted now through September. Any late application will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Scholarship Eligibility
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Family must be current in its payments to KCYA.
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Student must be 18 years of age or younger
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Students must attend classes regularly to continue receiving scholarship
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Parents of scholarship recipients are encouraged to volunteer 2 hours per session
To Apply for a Scholarship
Download and return the Scholarship Application Form (Download here!) (Espanol)
Documentation of Financial Need (Provide one of the following documents)
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The 1st page of the IRS 1040 form from most recent year
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AFDC/TANF award letter
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SSI (Based on adult applicant benefits)
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Current Unemployment information
Determining Need
This table does not guarantee a scholarship award and is a rough guideline based on number of dependent children at home and adjusted gross income. You must complete the scholarship application form and submit documentation of financial need to apply for a scholarship.
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Please contact Brianna Hutton at bhutton@kcya.org or 816.531.4022 x1000 with any questions.
KCYA Birthday Parties
Let our staff customize an art experience for your child and up to 15 of their friends!
It's a 90-minute party that includes a 45-minute Arts Experience with one of our professional
teaching artists, followed by 45-minutes of Party Time - perfect for cake, games or gifts.
KCYA Birthday Parties are best for suited for children ages 5 and older.
Choose One of these Arts Disciplines:
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Dance
Perfect for the enthusiastic dancer who wants to share a love of dance with their friends! A professional teaching artist will encourage children to dance outside of the box and incorporate their own personality in each movement. The Birthday boy or girl can pick their favorite song and we will choreograph a dance to it.
Theatre
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This party will awaken the inner actor and transport party-goers to a faraway land. A KCYA teaching artist will customize an imaginative (and age appropriate) theatre experience that will bring adventure to life. The Birthday girl or boy can choose from a list of themes or come up with their own.
Visual Art
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Does your child love to draw and paint? Share that love with other young artists. A KCYA teaching artist will lead hands-on arts activities customized just for you and each party-goer will bring a project home. The Birthday boy or girl can choose from a list of projects (all project materials will be provided).
Birthday Party FAQ’s
What happens at a KCYA Birthday Party?
Our staff will assist you in planning a customizable arts themed birthday party. One of our Teaching Artists will then lead the partygoers in an arts experience. You can choose from theatre, dance or visual arts!
What party times are possible?
Standard party times are Saturdays between 1pm and 6pm with limited availability on Sundays. Other times may be possible, please inquire. Birthday parties are contingent upon teaching artist availability.
How long is a KCYA birthday party?
Each party is 90 minutes. The arts activity will take 45-50 minutes to complete and the remaining 40-45 minutes may be used for refreshments and to open gifts.
How many partygoers may participate in a KCYA Birthday Party?
Up to 15, including the birthday child. **Parents are welcome to watch, however, activities are intended for the children.
Do Partygoers need to bring anything special?
Dance Party – Comfortable, active wear attire; socks or ballet shoes (Outside shoes are not allowed in dance studios)
Theatre Party – Comfortable, active wear attire
Visual Arts Party – Clothes that can get messy (paint shirts will be provided)
How much does a KCYA Birthday Party cost?
$195 for dance or theatre parties and $245 for visual arts (includes supply fees).
Prices for parties in 2024 = $245 for dance and theatre parties and $275 for visual arts parties for up to 15 children.
Additional children are $20 each.
When is the payment due?
50% is due when booking the date and 50% is due at time of party. Please feel free to contact our Administrative staff with questions regarding a payment plan.
What is the refund policy?
If you give 48 hours’ notice, KCYA will refund the cost of the party minus a $30 administrative fee. We cannot issue a refund if the party is cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice.
What is your policy regarding rescheduling?
If you need to reschedule your party we will do our best to accommodate.
When do we need to have a final count of partygoers?
The final count of children attending the party must be received three business days prior to the party.
Does KCYA provide refreshments?
No; cake and party supplies must be provided by you.
Can we bring decorations?
Yes, with the exception of the following: balloons, confetti, piñatas, or decorative table sprinkles are not allowed. A $25 cleaning fee will be applied to your bill if any of these items are used. No exceptions.
When should we arrive on the day of the event?
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to the party to ensure the event is paid in full and to decorate the space as you see fit.
How long do we have to set-up?
You may arrive 20 minutes prior to the party to check in and set up decorations.
How long do we have to clean up after the party?
You have up to 30 minutes to clean up. KCYA staff will clean up the arts activity; party host is responsible for clean-up of refreshments and gifts.
Do we have to take out our own trash?
No; a KCYA staff member will empty the trash cans after the party.
Where will the party take place?
3732 Main Street KCMO 64111
Is there parking?
Yes, KCYA has a lot just north of the building. Additional overflow parking is available; just ask our staff for details.
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Call or email Brianna Hutton for more information or to reserve your party! 816-531-4022 ext. 1013.