top of page
About
Girl outlines another girl on a large piece of paper

About

We believe that out-of-school art & design can serve as a catalyst for engaging young designers, thinkers, and leaders to create real work that makes a big difference in our communities.

 

Art & design provide a unique platform to learn from, engage with, and contribute to our world. They build the confidence to question, the skills to act, and the passion to create meaningful impact. Each of our projects empowers students to learn creatively and collaboratively to make work that matters.

Locations

Locations

Arrowwood Hills Logo-new_Gray.png
Brick Logo.png
Creekside Logo.png
Projects

Projects

How do we do what we do?

 

Each year, our staff selects a culturally-relevant theme, like architecture or technology, and assembles a team of local experts to inform our curriculum.

We spend six months organizing themes and writing lesson plans! We utilize four teaching semesters, which begin each June with a six-week intensive summer camp.

 

In the following three seasons (fall, winter, and spring), we tackle one big placemaking project that matches the yearly theme, followed by a series of smaller supporting explorations.

CAN Bands Together Logo (1).jpg

CAN Bands Together
(2024-25)

An introduction into music and performance through instrument exploration, song writing, and show rehearsal. Students worked over the course of six weeks to prepare for an End-of-Summer performance for friends and family.

Campers prepared costumes and backdrops, wrote and practiced scripts, all while collaborating in order to create a showcase of their accomplishments!

CAN Bands Together
The Kids Table Reheated Final Logo.png

the kids' table: reheated 
(2023-24)

A series of studies and reintroduction to culinary arts, cultural differences within food practices, food preparation skills, and trying lots of new things!

 

Students participated in projects like Restaurant Development week, Chopped Jr. competitions, making homemade ice cream, and learning how to read recipes.

Kids Table: Reheated
Our Friend, Earth
CAN Camp 2021-01.png
HOMEState Logo half circle with trees

HOMESTate (2020-21)

A series of studies in the cultures and peoples of Michigan, with a focus on the environment, art, industry, food, and civic engagement.

Students participate in projects like creating flags that represent their community, design their own Michigan-based pizza company, built Heidelberg Project-inspired sculptures, and planting seed bombs to grow bee-friendly flowers.

Strive to Thrive (2021-22)

A series of studies in social, emotional, physical, and community wellness.

Students participate in projects like creating worry friends, emoji pop art, connecting emotions through music and movement, designing a social circles puzzle, and more.

Our Friend, Earth (2022-23)

A series of studies in biodiversity, climate change, natural resources, sustainability, upcycling, and activism.

Students participate in projects that connect them to their community and the environment, exploring our relationship with the planet and how we can make a difference.

CAN_Logo_2022.png
The Kids' Table
Ready. Set. Tech!
The Construction Zone
Y(our) Environment
Community Cats

Community Cats (2015-16)

CAN Art & Design pilot project in collaboration with the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

Students researched, designed, and constructed shelters for the stray cats in Ann Arbor which were placed throughout the community.

Y(our) Environment (2016-17)

A series of studies in clean air, wind, and solar energy.

Students participated in projects like building custom mosaic planters from recycled materials and tiles, creating solar light sculptures, and designing windmills -- all while studying how each of these projects cleans the air and uses clean energy.

The Construction Zone Logo.png

The Construction Zone (2017-18)

A series of studies in architecture, placemaking, and community.

Students participated in projects like painting silhouette tracings of their bodies in the Mitchell Elementary cafeteria, designing a custom mural focusing on the basic elements and principles of art, and using vernacular materials to build shelters.

Ready Set Tech Icon.png

Ready. Set. Tech! (2018-19)

A series of studies in technology and how it shapes our world.

Students participated in projects like designing Rube Goldberg machines, creating stop motion animation clips, and exploring internet safety and the impact of cyberbullying.

mcaca_logo_final.png
Kids Table Logo.png

The Kids' Table (2019-20)

A series of studies in the culinary arts, utilitarian uses for food,  restaurant development, and expanding cultural & taste horizons.

Students participated in projects like creating a community compost bin, learning how to can and pickle, creating urban farm dioramas, and Chopped Jr. competitions.

Arts advisory Council

2024

Devyn Kadlec

Louey Guillen

Chris Seguin

Katie Williams

John Luther

 

Jennifer Sheppard

How Can I Help?
How Can I Help?
bottom of page