The City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center is home to the City’s Senior Arts Program, coordinated in conjunction with the Marquette Senior Center. The goals of the Senior Arts Program are to offer community members affordable and accessible opportunities to engage with the local arts scene, facilitate lifelong learning and the development of creative practices, and break down any potential barriers to participating in the arts.

Senior Arts programming is free and open to all individuals ages 55+ residing in the City of Marquette, Marquette Township, Chocolay Township, or Powell Township.

Senior Visual Art Classes

Senior Visual Art Classes are offered twice a month at the City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center, typically on the first and third Wednesdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Each month features unique classes that introduce students to a wide array of artistic mediums, intended to offer everyone, regardless of prior art experience, a low-barrier way to explore and practice their creativity. From watercolor to oil painting, metalsmithing to sculpture, even special projects like kite making and eco-printing, there’s something for everyone!

Interested in signing up for or learning more about our Visual Art Classes? Please contact Tristan at (906) 225-8655 or tluoma@marquettemi.gov. Classes are free and open to residents of the City of Marquette, Marquette Township, Chocolay Township, and Powell Township. Non-residents may attend for a suggested $5 donation to help offset the cost of supplies. NOTE: Classes tend to fill up quickly. In the event that a class is at capacity, we encourage you to join a waiting list; we will get in touch prior to the class should any spots open up.

Interested in teaching a class? We’re always looking to hire new teachers and offer new curricula! Please reach out to Tristan at tluoma@marquettemi.gov and include some information including your background, prior teaching experience, areas of expertise/preferred mediums, and any ideas you have for potential class projects. Teachers must agree to teach both of their assigned month’s classes; the same class structure and end project should be offered on each of the two dates to accommodate as many students as possible. Instructors receive a fixed stipend, plus supply cost reimbursement.

Senior Theatre Experience

The Senior Theatre Experience (STE) encourages discovery, learning, and having fun while exploring different aspects of the world of theatre by offering unique experiences which illuminate the creativity, collaboration, and innovation behind the curtain. Participants in the Senior Theatre Experience enjoy twice-monthly theatre workshops with discussions, games, lectures, writing, sharing, and more; opportunities to get a glimpse behind the curtain with backstage tours, technical design, and rehearsals; and free tickets to local theatre company productions.

The STE is directed by Moiré Embley of Songbird Creative, and supported through partnership with the Northern Michigan University Department of Theatre and Dance.

Interested in getting involved with the Senior Theatre Experience? Please contact Tristan at (906) 225-8655 or tluoma@marquettemi.gov, or simply drop-in during one of our discussion-based classes! Classes are typically held on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 4:00pm-5:00pm at the City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center.

Senior Dance Classes

Senior Dance classes are offered weekly on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-5:00pm at the City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center, taught by City of Marquette Senior Services Manager Maureen McFadden! These are beginner-level classes designed for folks who are looking for a fun and engaging, low-intensity workout with a variety of dance moves and techniques, including but not limited to Salsa, Jazz, Ballet, Ballroom, and Hip Hop. All steps are thoroughly described with ample practice time between songs. Students learn a warmup, technique, and chorography! No prior dance experience is necessary, and you do not need a partner to attend.

Interested in attending Senior Dance Classes? Pre-registration is NOT required for participation – drop-ins are welcome! Please sign in upon entry so we can get ahold of you in the event of future class cancelations.