KCYA's Community School of the Arts
Offering classes, camps, and performance opportunities for children ages 3-17.
At KCYA's Community School of the Arts, your child will be inspired, encouraged, and celebrated. Our classes are led by professional teaching artists who know how to connect with kids and help them grow, whether they’re just starting out or building on their existing artistic skills. But it’s about more than technique for us. It’s about joy, creativity, and belonging!
During the school year, classes are offered on the weekends and weeknights at our Midtown Kansas City location. Summer camps are 11 weeks of half-day or full-day camps. Both classes and camps offer dance, music, visual arts, Garage Band, and theatre. Each year we have theater performances your child can join onstage or behind the scenes!
At KCYA, your child becomes part of something bigger: a creative community that believes every child deserves the chance to express themselves through the arts. We can't wait for you to join us!
Upcoming Events!
Check out our upcoming event details below:
Teen Open Mic Launch Party
Sunday, October 26, 2-5 PM
Ages 11-17 are welcome to join for an afternoon of eerie fun, wicked sounds, and ghostly vibes. Bring your instruments, poetry, art and anything else you'd like to share!
Adult Dance Class
October 29, 8-9 PM
At KCYA we believe the transformative spark of the arts should be long lasting. Join us for our debut of our Adult Dance class. No experience required, just bring yourself and a friend. Take a night off just for yourself. $10 donation suggested. All donations go directly into supporting our Community School of the Arts.
Click here for more details and to RSVP.
Homeschool & Alternative Learning Open House
November 19, 10:30 - Noon
KC Young Audiences is looking to add daytime programming to our Spring semester and we need YOUR help!
We are hosting a Homeschool / Alternative Schooling Openhouse to better gauge the needs of our community.
Click here for more details and to RSVP.
Kid's Night Out, Parent's Night OFF!
December 5, 5-9 PM
With the holidays around the corner, parents could use a night off. Drop your kids off at KCYA for an evening of fun! We’ll have pizza, games, cookie decorating, and more. Kids will go home with a craft and an invigorated love for the arts. Join us! Click here for more details and to register!
Dance Classes for all Ages!
Dance is a way for students to build confidence and creativity in movement. All styles of dance for all ages. Check out some of our options for the Fall:
-
Latest Dance Craze (ages 8-14)
-
Jazz Lyrical (ages 8-12)
-
Contemporary/Modern Dance (ages 9-17)
-
Tiny Ballet Class, Tiny Tap Class, and Tiny Creative Movement (ages 3+
-
See more dance classes including our Ballet, Musical Theater, and Tap - click enroll now below!
Visual Arts Classes
Your artist can create and imagine with Fall classes for all ages and skill level:
-
Simple Sewing (ages 11-17)
-
Paper, Paper, Everywhere (ages 7-11)
-
Tiny Art Explorers (ages 3-5)
-
Nature art (ages 5-7)
-
Art is Weird (ages 12-17)
-
See more visual arts classes by clicking Enroll Now below!
Scholarships
We believe that all children deserve access to the arts!
With the support of our donors, we are able to provide scholarships on a
'first-come, first-served' basis for group classes.
Scholarship Information
-
A limited number of scholarships are available each session.
-
Scholarships may be awarded for up to 60% of class fee.
-
Only one group class per session may be taken on scholarship.
-
1/3 of the total balance must be paid prior to the first day of class.
Scholarship Eligibility
-
Family must be current in its payments to KCYA.
-
Student must be 17 years of age or younger
-
Students must attend classes regularly to continue receiving scholarship
-
Parents of scholarship recipients are encouraged to volunteer 2 hours per session
To Apply for a Scholarship
Documentation of Financial Need (Provide one of the following documents)
-
The 1st page of the IRS 1040 form from most recent year
-
AFDC/TANF award letter
-
SSI (Based on adult applicant benefits)
-
Current Unemployment information
Determining Need
Staff will be in touch about scholarship availability and award. If you have any questions, please contact us at 816.499.8050.
Please contact enrollnow@kcya.org or
816.499.8050 with any questions.
Download and return the following Scholarship Application Form to a.ryan@kcya.org or bring it to the KCYA office. Don't forget to include the documentation of financial need.
[English]
[español]
Enrollment Information & FAQ
What are the Session Dates? CSA Session Dates Fall 2025: Sept 2-Dec 13 Private lessons are arranged with Private Teaching Artist and lessons fall withing the Session dates.
Can I enroll after the session has started? We encourage you to enroll prior to the first day of class. The first week of class you are welcome to try before enrolling. We will do our best to accommodate late enrollments and to pro-rate the fees accordingly. Any enrollment after the third week of the session requires the teaching artists approval. Enrollments for private instruction lessons must be arranged through the Teaching Artist.
What are your typical hours? Hours Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 7:30pm Saturday: 9:00am – 12:00pm The Business Office is open Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Do you have makeup classes? Inclement Weather On inclement weather days, a decision may need to be made to cancel classes. We will make every effort to communicate with you as soon as possible and makeup the class at a later date. 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, and we will work with parents and Teaching Artists to make the best plan for your class.
Summer Camp questions? KCYA offers 11 weeks of full & half-day summer camp options for ages 5-14. Registration opens in February. All camps are held at KCYA: 3732 Main Street, KC, MO 64111 All summer camps meet Monday-Friday Camp begins at 8:30 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 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 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 with Teaching Artist approval.
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 816.531.4022. Private instruction is offered through a number of fabulous teaching artists who you should contact directly.
Do you have sharings and recitals? Typically, each group class will participate in an end of session demonstration during the final week of class for the Fall session. Some classes may provide the opportunity to participate in a recital at the end of the semester. More information will be sent specifically to those classes. Some classes may require a fee or ticket for student recitals. Private Student Recitals: Private instruction teaching artists will communicate with you about student recital opportunities.
Where are the CSA classes held? Where do we park? 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. After 5pm or on weekends you may also park at The Whole Person (3710 Main St.).
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 - these are suggested attire. KCYA has a lending library of shoes and leotards, ask the Teaching Artist at your first class to help your dancer find appropriate attire. Suggested Ballet attire includes leotard solid color leotard, tights, and ballet slippers. Hair should 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 leather ballet slippers. Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Dance for Musical Theatre: Comfortable 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. 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. Dance Shoes should never be worn outside, only in the Dance Studio. Street shoes are not allowed on the dance floor.