Outreach Programs
At LCA, we believe the arts can be a transformative experience. We are committed to providing access to high-quality, engaging art experiences for our community and beyond. LCA implements various outreach events and programs with area partners including activities, neighborhood art pop-up events, arts instruction, mural programs and more!
These school and community partners are integral to our outreach mission, and we are grateful for their collaboration: The Caring Place, Discovery Charter School, Grace Learning Center, HealthLinc of Michigan City, Imagination Station, Indiana University Northwest School of the Arts, LaPorte Community School Corporation, Macedonian Missionary Baptist Church, Marquette High School, Michigan City Area Schools, Michigan City Department of Parks and Recreation, Michigan City Mainstreet Association, Michigan City Public Library, North Central Community Action Agency, Paladin, Renaissance Academy, Safe Harbor, Social & Learning Institute and Walker Street Community Garden.
Teen Arts Council (TAC)
TAC connects creative teens (13+) from the region with free unique and enriching arts experiences. TAC is designed to support its members in developing personal artistic identities while refining skills through practice and experimentation. Guided by local artists and LCA staff, TAC members network with the community while developing leadership roles. Teens also participate in trips to education and arts-centered sites that are aimed toward creating a professional artistic vision and understanding.
TAC meets once a month on Thursdays from 6-7:30 PM, and all art materials are provided! To learn more and register, email LCA's education director, Nelsy Marcano.
Thank you to the Dale E. Landsman Arts Foundation for supporting TAC.
Teen Arts Council Members
Off-Site Arts Outreach Programming
In collaboration with area schools and various community partners, we provide offsite arts outreach programming to connect with thousands of people across the region. Our curriculums in the visual and performing arts, STEAM and arts integration are tailored to meet the needs of partners we serve.
Family Days
While families are welcome at LCA every day, we offer free Family Day programs where kids and their favorite grown-ups have the opportunity to connect with each other while enjoying docent-led, family-friendly tours of our world-class exhibitions along with hands-on art projects and snacks. We offer a free Family Day with each of our exhibitions at our center. These drop-in events are open to everyone, and no registration is required.
Neighborhood Pop-Ups
Beginning in 2019, LCA initiated a series of neighborhood events in collaboration with various community partners throughout Michigan City. Our pop-ups bring folks together for snacks, conversation and relaxed creative art making. If you are affiliated with an organization that would like to host a pop-up with us, email our education director, Nelsy Marcano.
Pop-Up at New Covenant Church
Health Promotion through the Arts (HPA)
For over a decade, this innovative program serves adult students in partnership with The Social & Learning Institute and Paladin, Inc. HPA features a unique and adaptive visual arts curriculum tailored to the individual needs of our students who are living with developmental and cognitive challenges. This program, while encouraging social, motor and executive skill development, nourishes individual creativity and expression. Our HPA students are artists, first and foremost, and exhibit their work in our NIPSCO Education Studio Gallery and at the Lubeznik Arts Festival annually.
Student from HPA program
Mural Program
LCA’s new mural program focuses on adding art into Michigan City neighborhoods.
“Public art is a very engaging way to activate the environment for people’s enjoyment and reflection. For community participatory art, it gives the community voice and power. Where art exists, so does value and power, and LCA has made a commitment to serve our residents and neighborhoods outside of the downtown area with art and art experiences,” said Janet Bloch, LCA executive director.
To get involved with or donate to the mural program, contact Janet Bloch!
Community member helping to paint a mural