MAC Arts Education Programs
The MAC (Merced Multicultural Arts Center), 645 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340
About
MAC Arts Education Programs include painting and drawing activities, kids’ art projects, and field trips to the Merced Multicultural Arts Center. The program also offers ARTREE workshops and a Downtown Public Art Tour, along with painting and drawing classes for adults on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 pm.
• Ages: 6–16 years old
• Schedule: Online registration for Winter/Spring After School Arts Classes (ages 6–16) begins Thursday, January 22, 2026, with monthly Kids’ Day at the MAC (except December) and six-week adult painting and drawing classes on Thursday evenings
The Arts Council’s mission is to nurture and inspire the arts and artists in Merced County by cultivating places for creative discovery, community, and dialogue. The Arts Education program is county-wide and takes place in schools, in local organizations, and at the MAC, with ARTREE providing an avenue for local artists to teach the visual and performing arts. Field trips to the Merced Multicultural Arts Center are available for school groups and community organizations, and ARTREE workshops can be scheduled with a tour of the exhibits and/or a Downtown Public Art Tour. Kids’ Day at the MAC happens monthly, except in December, and includes a free kids’ art project.
The Merced Multicultural Arts Center is home to The Enrichment Center, a day program for artists with disabilities, the Arbor Gallery co-op of local artists, the Merced Academy of Dance, the Bear Creek Ukulele Society, local theater groups, LGBTQ+ groups, and local artists. The MAC offers classroom, conference, and general meeting spaces, four art galleries plus the Arbor Gallery, a black box theater, and a serving kitchen. Gallery hours are Wednesday–Friday 2 pm–8 pm, Saturday 11 am–6 pm, and Sunday 11 am–4 pm, with office hours Wednesday–Friday 10 am–3 pm.
The Merced County Arts Council, which oversees these programs, was incorporated in 1978. In 1994, the City of Merced’s Redevelopment Agency and the Merced County Arts Council partnered to renovate a 28,000 square foot former Montgomery Wards department store, and in 1996 the City of Merced entrusted the Arts Council to manage the Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Since its completion in 1996 as a downtown redevelopment anchor, the Multicultural Arts Center has been honored with an American Institute of Architecture award and has served as the arts and cultural hub of Merced since its opening in 1997. The Merced County Arts Council’s re-energized programming received the League of California Cities’ 2001 “Helen Putnam Award for Excellence” Grand Prize for Arts and Quality of Life, and Merced was one of four California cities featured in the televised documentary “2001: Year of the Arts.”
Leadership for the organization includes Colton Dennis, Executive Director; Lulu Gamez, Program Director (Enrichment Center); Lisa Gilliland-Viney, Education Director; Bo Petty, Office Manager; Katt Szyndler, Facilities Manager; and Jason Burge, Grants Manager. Board officers and directors include Alissa Haynes, President; Rhonda Batson, Vice President; Clifford Monte, Treasurer; Kathy Hansen, Secretary; and Stacie Arancibia, Alejandro Carrillo, Sue Bangon Emanivong, Dan Baladad, Lourdes Clesson, Collin Lewis, and Stergios Roussos as Directors.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
• Ages: 6–16 years old
• Schedule: Online registration for Winter/Spring After School Arts Classes (ages 6–16) begins Thursday, January 22, 2026, with monthly Kids’ Day at the MAC (except December) and six-week adult painting and drawing classes on Thursday evenings
The Arts Council’s mission is to nurture and inspire the arts and artists in Merced County by cultivating places for creative discovery, community, and dialogue. The Arts Education program is county-wide and takes place in schools, in local organizations, and at the MAC, with ARTREE providing an avenue for local artists to teach the visual and performing arts. Field trips to the Merced Multicultural Arts Center are available for school groups and community organizations, and ARTREE workshops can be scheduled with a tour of the exhibits and/or a Downtown Public Art Tour. Kids’ Day at the MAC happens monthly, except in December, and includes a free kids’ art project.
The Merced Multicultural Arts Center is home to The Enrichment Center, a day program for artists with disabilities, the Arbor Gallery co-op of local artists, the Merced Academy of Dance, the Bear Creek Ukulele Society, local theater groups, LGBTQ+ groups, and local artists. The MAC offers classroom, conference, and general meeting spaces, four art galleries plus the Arbor Gallery, a black box theater, and a serving kitchen. Gallery hours are Wednesday–Friday 2 pm–8 pm, Saturday 11 am–6 pm, and Sunday 11 am–4 pm, with office hours Wednesday–Friday 10 am–3 pm.
The Merced County Arts Council, which oversees these programs, was incorporated in 1978. In 1994, the City of Merced’s Redevelopment Agency and the Merced County Arts Council partnered to renovate a 28,000 square foot former Montgomery Wards department store, and in 1996 the City of Merced entrusted the Arts Council to manage the Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Since its completion in 1996 as a downtown redevelopment anchor, the Multicultural Arts Center has been honored with an American Institute of Architecture award and has served as the arts and cultural hub of Merced since its opening in 1997. The Merced County Arts Council’s re-energized programming received the League of California Cities’ 2001 “Helen Putnam Award for Excellence” Grand Prize for Arts and Quality of Life, and Merced was one of four California cities featured in the televised documentary “2001: Year of the Arts.”
Leadership for the organization includes Colton Dennis, Executive Director; Lulu Gamez, Program Director (Enrichment Center); Lisa Gilliland-Viney, Education Director; Bo Petty, Office Manager; Katt Szyndler, Facilities Manager; and Jason Burge, Grants Manager. Board officers and directors include Alissa Haynes, President; Rhonda Batson, Vice President; Clifford Monte, Treasurer; Kathy Hansen, Secretary; and Stacie Arancibia, Alejandro Carrillo, Sue Bangon Emanivong, Dan Baladad, Lourdes Clesson, Collin Lewis, and Stergios Roussos as Directors.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
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