The Creative Advantage has been hard at work this Fall exploring ways to ensure students can still access arts learning from community partners despite limited online school schedules. Intentionally blurring the lines between ‘in-school’ and ‘out-of-school’ time, we present Creative Advantage ALL ACCESS Arts Stream (CAAAAS): high-quality, accessible, family-friendly, *synchronous* arts education in the after-school space.
This December, we’re kicking off CAAAAS with four workshops with four different teaching artists from PNB, Arts Corps, TeenTix, and SAL’s WITS program. Registration is open now! Plus – all registrants for these December workshops will get a free screen-printed, youth-designed face mask from The Vera Project!
Please note: a link to WebEx for the class will be in your email, two days prior to class.

Later this Winter, these same teaching artists (+ more!) will be invited to cook up multi-week virtual residencies for longer-term engagement to build community + keep our creative juices flowing as we emerge from the darker months of the new year.
Workshops + Descriptions
Poetry – The Magic in Our Special Places w/ Jay Thompson of WITS
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 3 – 4:30 p.m.

Registration, Seattle Parks & Recreation ActiveNet Class Code: #40924
Grades 2-5
In a time of disruption and confinement, poetry can be a great tool for grounding youth in what is magical and unique about a space they love. Teaching artist Jay Thompson of Seattle Arts & Lectures’ WITS program will guide students to see home through fresh eyes or imaginatively evoke a distant place using their five senses, their memory, and their observational powers.
Teen Night w/ TeenTix
Thursday, Dec. 17, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Registration, Seattle Parks & Recreation ActiveNet Class Code: #40925
Grades 8 and up
Hosted by young folx from TeenTix and teaching artist Alethea Alexander, this virtual Teen Night includes a screening of a performance from a local arts organization and a facilitated conversation and reflection activity on what you just saw. An opportunity for teens to continue to experience amazing local performances and connect!
Dancing Our Natural World w/ PNB’s Adriana Hernandez-Wright
Friday, Dec. 18, 3 – 4:30 p.m.

Registration, Seattle Parks & Recreation ActiveNet Class Code: #40926
Grades 2-4
Movement can share and express what you know, think, and feel. Join teaching artist Adriana Hernandez-Wright of Pacific Northwest Ballet in using nature and our physical world as inspiration for movement.
Pop-Up Books and Paper Magic w/ Jiéyì Ludden of Arts Corps
Saturday, Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Registration, Seattle Parks & Recreation ActiveNet Class Code: #40927
Grades 3-6
Learn how to cut and fold paper to create 2D and 3D shapes with teaching artist Jiéyì Ludden of Arts Corps. Together, you’ll explore design strategies, crafting, and storytelling in an inclusive environment.
Building upon the Creative Advantage Online Arts videos commissioned this past Spring, the goal of CAAAAS is to ensure Seattle’s youth and families have access to teaching artists and organizations on our Community Arts Partner Roster.
These free, city-wide, youth and family opportunities are spearheaded by The Creative Advantage in a massive collective partnership with Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR), Seattle Public Library (SPL), Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), and Seattle Together. In addition, The Vera Project is providing support in working with young people to integrate youth-made music, graphic design, screen-printed facemasks, and streaming support.
James says
Why is there only one option available for 6th graders?
Diamond says
Uhhh….. It says Art Beat Blog, sooooo… wheres the drawing place to hang up drawings?
Stephanie Johnson Toliver says
Thank you Creative Advantage for developing these amazing opportunities bis CAAAAS. You are not sitting still at a time when digital platforms to engage and educate are essential. Applauding you!
At the Black Heritage Society of WA State we are reimagining ways to share our rich collection that ignites curiousity for regional Black history and to can encourage students to dig deeper. Always keep us in mind when getting creative. Stay well on your end. -Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, President/BHS
Samrawet Kidane says
Hi, I have a 2nd-grade son how is the registration works?
Otts Bolisay says
Hi Samrawet. To register, click on the link(s) in the blog post for the workshop you’re interested in. You should be taken to a page with a blue “Enroll Now” button. If that workshop is full, you should see a Waitlist button instead.
A link to Webex for the class will be sent to your email 2 days before the class. Good luck!