Art Studios @ JCC in Manhattan

Our mission:

Together with our community, JCC Manhattan creates opportunities for people to
connect, grow, and learn within an ever-changing Jewish landscape.

Our vision:

JCC Manhattan imagines Jewish life that is diverse and engages meaningfully with
its values, culture, and ideas in our everyday lives.

Our values:

• We’re committed to redefining what Jewish life means today.
• We serve as a model of what’s possible in the ever-evolving and diverse Jewish community, incubating innovative programs that are shared nationally.
• We’re dedicated to the well-being of everyone in our community.  As people in our community seek out opportunities to grow physically, intellectually, and spiritually, we’re dedicated to helping them reach their full potential.
• We have a broad and inclusive view of Jewish life and family.  There are multiple ways to live in a community. The experiences we offer invite everyone to explore what it means to be part of that community.
• We take responsibility for one another. Our community is bound by a shared commitment to a better,fairer world, which we put into practice every day, giving back and supporting each other through meaningful actions.
• We take pride in our culture. Whether celebrating Jewish holidays, exploring new ideas, or engaging with the arts, the growth of a community relies on its access to culture.
• We believe in accessibility. We strive to create an inclusive and accommodating environment for people of different backgrounds and abilities with opportunities for growth and connection.
• We are deeply connected to Israel.  Our community connects to Israel through its sights, sounds, history, and complexity. We embrace the challenge of weaving our relationships with Israel into our diverse Jewish identities.

FAQs

What are some of your most popular classes that you offer on CourseHorse? 
Our shoemaking classes, watercolor, jewelry, ceramics and silk painting classes tend to be most popular. 

How long have you been in business? Can you share a bit more about your history? 
The JCC art studios have been business for 14 years this 2016. The JCC was created as a community center to serve the needs of the community, and part of that was ensuring the community have space to feel welcome being creative. The art studios have been here since the building opened and have been a huge part of countless community members lives. 

What is your average class size?  
Our jewelry classes are maximum eight, our painting/drawing classes are a maximum of 10, and our ceramics classes are a maximum of 10. 

What is your typical student like? What are their goals?  
Our students are typically those who want to find a creative outlet in a warm, welcoming community. It is as much a social and community experience as it is an art class. We have students of all types, but I think for the most part their goals are to learn something new, have a great time, find and express their creativity and find a community that is welcoming and non-competitive. 

Can you recommend activities to do in the neighborhood before or after class? 
The JCC is located on the Upper West Side, which hosts tons of bars and restaurants, the beacon theatre, and lots of shopping, as well as the American Museum of Natural History and the New York History Society.

Notes:
While we are a Jewish community center, nothing about our art classes are religious and all are welcome in our building at all times.