Expanded programming at Fitton Center leads to enrollment increase

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A variety of art classes, summer camps and workshops have been geared toward all skill levels and backgrounds, but when enrollment hit a wall, Executive Director Ian MacKenzie-Thurley said it was time to tweak the product offerings.

So the Fitton Center ramped up its efforts, including expanding its education program with more than 14 new offerings to attract more youth. The center is running summer camps, including some in conjunction with the Great Miami Valley YMCA and Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park.

Kate Rowekamp, director of education at the Fitton Center, said the center also is focused on diversifying options for adult students, which requires recruiting and employing more instructors.

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“To do this we restructured our education program to create a more attractive payment system,” Rowekamp said. “We are proud that our new system values the knowledge and expertise our instructors bring to their classes.”

Rowekamp said, “In addition, we have retooled our pottery program to become more inclusive, and to make sure we can provide a work-space for as many artists as possible.”

She added, “to do this, we have opened up our ceramics studios outside of regular class time, and invited local potters to come in and work on their craft. Previously, access was only granted to those currently enrolled in a class. This new approach that we call Studio+ includes a pay-as-you-go system that allows potters access to our studios as often as they like.”

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Rowekamp believes that the Fitton Center plays a pivotal role in the Hamilton arts scene, and making class affordable for the public will help that scene flourish.

“Our team of extraordinary teachers is here to support and encourage, as children, teens and adults alike explore their artistic side, learn new skills, and make some new friends,” she said. “We believe that all people benefit from the arts.”