Arts Education

MECA’s Out of School Time Arts and Residency Program provides youth a safe environment and constructive activities outside of regular school hours.  Students in the program participate in music, dance & visual arts classes, attend workshops and master classes with guest artists and artists-in-residence, and perform at end-of-the-semester recitals, as well as at festivals, holiday concerts and community events.

The In-School program’s mission is to support Houston-area schools with limited arts funding offer their students high-quality arts education programming that aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum. This programming takes place at Houston-area campuses and is suited for each school’s particular area of need. 

The Sunburst Summer Arts Program is a 7 to 8-week summer arts camp that implements a unique arts and education curriculum created by the MECA Arts Team with feedback and contribution from partnering agencies. The course addresses summer learning loss with an emphasis in Numeracy, Literacy, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Additionally, the syllabus focuses on the importance of multiculturalism in everyday life.

MECA recognizes that the artistic process enables students to develop the social skills and emotional intelligence attributed to high academic performance. Young artists must demonstrate focus and self-control, among other qualities, to advance in their artistic abilities, behaviors that are vital to academic success. MECA strongly believes that arts education provided during the school day provides social benefits by serving as an equalizer against socioeconomic barriers that may hinder a child’s access to enriching arts activities.​

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Music

MECA’s music department consists of a diversity of musical genres and styles from numerous global cultures.  Both private and group classes are available, as well as periodic workshops and master classes.  Music students have the opportunity to perform in end-of-the-semester recitals, and at community celebrations and special events.

MECA students and ensembles have performed at such institutions as the Winter Olympic Games, Miller Outdoor Theater and Wortham Theater.  Ensembles have toured to Vietnam, Norway, Ireland and Mexico, and students represent MECA in various international competitions.

Available music classes include:

• African Drumming
• Button Accordion
• Choir
• Classical Guitar
• Guitar
• Mariachi
• Percussion
• Piano
• Violin – Suzuki Method
• Voice

Our 2019 Student Recital Days; Each student displays the skills gained from their training. All ages & class levels are displayed throughout the Recital Days.

Dance

MECA’s dance program promotes physical fitness while exploring creative expression and cultural diversity.  Each dance idiom counts with a strict curriculum created specifically for
MECA by dance professionals. Classes include warm-up exercises and core strengthening to promote injury prevention while placing an emphasis on dance technique. Workshops and master classes with touring artists are often provided.

MECA’s most popular dance discipline is Mexican Ballet Folklórico.  Mexican Ballet Folklórico is a traditional art form that combines elements of classical ballet and folk dancing. 
These colorful dances of Mexico with their choreography, costumes and accompanying music vary by geographic region, and may depict local animals, attire and folklore.  MECA’s Mexican Ballet Folklórico ensembles are comprised of both youth and adults and are frequently invited to perform at community celebrations, festivals and special events. 

The practice of these classical and traditional art forms help students develop a sense of cultural pride and respect for diversity, as well as physical coordination, teamwork and confidence. 

Available dance classes include:

• Classical Ballet
• Ballet for Folklorico Dancers
• Mexican Ballet Folklórico
• Jazz Dance
• Professional Level Modern Dance
• Yoga
• Adult Dance Fitness
• Hip-Hop Dance

Our 2019 Student Recital Days; Each student displays the skills gained from their training. All ages & class levels are displayed throughout the Recital Days.

Visual Art

MECA's visual Arts classes provide students a forum for hands-on creative expression activities. Classes are designed to encourage youth to explore their interests and imagination through various disciplines. The visual arts program serve underserved children, children with disabilities, youth, and adults. Students five to twelve years of age begin learning and implementing the principles and elements of design creating 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional works of art. Materials used in the classroom include but are not limited to, acrylic paint, colored pencils, markers, crayons, clay, fiber, aluminum, and wood. The goal of this class is to introduce the students to a variety of ways materials can be used to create art.

Students 13 and up learn the proper techniques of many disciplines, including metal, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, glass, woodworking, and illustration. The goal of this art class is to
engage the students in critical thinking so that they can convey their thoughts and ideas through art. Both levels of art classes experiment with new media, photography, and animation.

A sewing and fiber arts class has also been implemented into our curriculum, in this class students learn stringing, beading, lacing, tying knots, cutting, ironing, pattern making, embroidery and embellishment, weaving, and dyeing. Students also learn how to hand stitch and use a sewing machine.

Available art classes include:

• Visual Art (5-12 yrs old)
• Visual Art (13 yrs + Up)
• Sewing and Fiber Arts
• Creative Explorations | An art class designed for students with disabilities (5-12 yrs old)

Crafts vs Art: Kids art education just as important as math
Our visual arts instructor, Michael Allen Martin, takes teaching art to your kids as serious as HISD takes the Math STAAR test. Crafts have their place, but MECA is dedicated to quality art education.