For every young artist
Season
begins
September
2026
CanArt
✶
Season begins September 2026 CanArt ✶
What is CanArt?
CanArt is a structured, skills-based visual arts program designed for children and teens. Running from September to June, it offers a clear progression in artistic development, combining technical skill-building with creativity and critical thinking.
Each year culminates in a professional exhibition, where students present their work in the gallery at the Sault Ste Marie Museum.
Classes
ages 3-5
Junior Explorers
$180/ 6 week program
1 - 60 minute Class/week
A playful introduction to art through guided exploration, sensory materials, and foundational skill-building. Junior Explorers focuses on developing fine motor skills, creative confidence, and early visual language in a nurturing, age-appropriate environment. Each class invites curiosity, experimentation, and joyful discovery—laying the groundwork for future artistic growth.
Badges earned in Jr. Explorers can be carried forward into future CanArt levels.
Sunday 9:00 - 10:00 am
September 13th - October 18th 2026
October 25th - November 29th 2026
January 3rd - February 7th 2027
February 14th - March 21st 2027
March 28th - May 2nd 2027
Ages 5-18
Recreational Stream
$150/ month Tuition
1 - 90 minute Class/week
A structured, skills-based program running September through June, designed for students who want to build strong artistic foundations while enjoying the creative process. Classes are thoughtfully grouped by age and ability, allowing students to progress through the CanArt curriculum at a steady, supported pace. Students work toward skill-based badges across disciplines such as drawing, painting, composition, and visual language, culminating in a year-end group exhibition that celebrates their growth.
Ages 5-7
Monday 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Ages 8-13
Monday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday 4:30 pm- 6:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Ages 14-18
Sunday 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
ages 8-18
Professional Stream
$450 month Tuition*
* includes 3 - 90 minute classes/week
1 CanArt Core + 2 Speciality classes
An intensive, mentorship-driven program for dedicated students pursuing advanced artistic development or preparing for post-secondary portfolios. Entry is by portfolio review or completion of CanArt Level 6. This stream offers individualized guidance, critical feedback, and deeper conceptual exploration. Students engage in ambitious projects and present their work in a professional exhibition setting, with opportunities for solo or small group showcases.
Choose One Core Class:
Ages 8-13
Monday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday 4:30 pm- 6:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Ages 14-18
Sunday 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Plus Two Professional Specialty Classes
Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Sunday 3:00 pm -4:30 pm
+ Applicable Taxes
Badges & Levels
CanArt Levels
CanArt Levels are broad stages of artistic development.
Each level builds on the last, helping students strengthen both technical skills and creative thinking over time.
Levels are designed to reflect:
Skill development
Creative confidence
Work habits and commitment
Understanding of visual language and materials
As students progress, projects become more advanced and independent.
CanArt Badges
Badges are smaller achievements earned along the way.
Each badge focuses on a specific skill, concept, or artistic challenge.
Badges allow students to:
Track their progress clearly
Celebrate accomplishments
Build confidence step-by-step
Develop strengths in different areas of art
Some badges have multiple “evolutions” or advanced versions, allowing students to continue mastering a skill over time. This style of progression is inspired by gamified learning systems that use badges and levels to help learners visualize growth and mastery.
Additional Fees
$50 Administration
one time Fee per family, due at registration
Covers: Registration processing, student records, and administrative costs associated with enrolment.
This is a one time fee. Meaning if the student returns for another session of Jr. Explorers or continues on the following year with our seasonal programs you only pay this on the initial registration. Families with multiple children enrolled only pay once.
$100 Material Fee
Per student, Due By February
Covers: speciality materials needed in the creation of year-end exhibition artwork. Does not apply to Jr. Explorers.
$100 Exhibition Fee
Per Student, Due by April
Covers: Professional presentation costs for the year-end exhibition including mounting materials, installation supplies and exhibition-retlated service fees.
$100 Professional Development Fee
Per student, professional stream Only
Covers: A one-on-one studio visit with a guest curator or professional artist, providing personalized feedback and mentorship.
The CanArt method
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Personalized
Students engage in tailored projects that guide them towards earning their CanArt badges, reflecting their unique creative path as they earn their CanArt levels.
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Comprehensive
Our method spans diverse artistic disciplines, integrating technical skills, historic context and reflective practice, so every student develops a well rounded creative foundation.
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Intentional
Our curriculum fosters creative thinking and lays the groundwork for problem solving, which students can apply in everyday life.
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Celebrated
Each student’s creativity is celebrated in a year-end exhibition, giving them a chance to shine and share their work with the community.
location
Sault Ste Marie Museum
Education Room
690 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most art classes focus on one-off projects. CanArt is built as a long-term curriculum, where students develop skills over time.
Clear progression through levels (like a learning pathway)
Skill-based badges that track growth
Emphasis on both technical ability and creative voice
A final exhibition that treats student work with professionalism
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Students build skills across key areas of visual art, including:
Drawing
Painting
Colour theory
Composition
Visual language
Creative problem-solving
Material handling
and more
The program is designed to support both beginners and advanced students, meeting them where they are and helping them progress.
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You can reach us anytime via our email Canart.ssm@gmail.com. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
Get Started!
Students are placed into classes based on age and skill level to support each students development.
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CanArt community
Read current and past newsletters
✶
Access important dates and studio calendars
✶
View exhibition details and preparation guides
✶
Download helpful resources
✶
Stay up to date on studio news and opportunities
✶
Celebrate student achievements and milestones
✶
Read current and past newsletters ✶ Access important dates and studio calendars ✶ View exhibition details and preparation guides ✶ Download helpful resources ✶ Stay up to date on studio news and opportunities ✶ Celebrate student achievements and milestones ✶
Free for registered students