MAC Arts Education Programs
The MAC (Merced Multicultural Arts Center), 645 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340
About
MAC Arts Education Programs include activities such as Painting, Drawing, MAC Theater Camp, Kids’ art projects, and ARTREE workshops. The program also offers field trips to the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, which can include a Downtown Public Art Tour. Painting and drawing classes are also available for adults on Thursday evenings.
• Ages: 4–16 years old
• Schedule: Online registration for Winter/Spring After School Arts Classes (ages 6–16) begins Thursday, January 22, 2026, with painting at 4:00 pm and drawing at 5:00 pm; adult painting and drawing classes run in 6-week sessions on Thursday evenings from 6:00–8:00 pm.
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. ARTREE provides an avenue for local artists to teach the visual and performing arts, and ARTREE workshops can be scheduled in conjunction with tours of exhibits and the Downtown Public Art Tour. Kids’ Day at the MAC offers a free kids’ art project monthly, except in December, for children ages 4 and up.
The MAC is home to The Enrichment Center, a day program for artists with disabilities, The Arbor Gallery, a co-op of local artists, The Merced Academy of Dance, The Bear Creek Ukulele Society, local theater groups, LGBTQ+ groups, and local artists. The Merced Multicultural Arts Center has four art galleries, the Arbor Gallery, a black box theater, and a serving kitchen. The Merced Multicultural Arts Center has received an American Institute of Architecture award, and the Merced County Arts Council’s programming received the League of California Cities’ 2001 “Helen Putnam Award for Excellence” Grand Prize for Arts and Quality of Life. Merced was chosen as one of four California cities featured in the televised documentary “2001: Year of the Arts,” celebrating the 25th anniversary of the California Arts Council.
The Merced County Arts Council 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 Montgomery Wards department store. Since its completion in 1996 as a downtown redevelopment anchor, the Merced Multicultural Arts Center has served as an arts and cultural hub and is a 28,000 square foot multipurpose arts center with classroom, conference, and general meeting spaces. In 1996, the City of Merced entrusted the Arts Council to manage the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, which opened in 1997.
Leadership for the Merced County Arts Council 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. The 2024–2025 Board of Directors includes Rhonda Batson, President; Alissa Haynes, Vice President; Kathy Hansen, Secretary; Clifford Monte, Treasurer; and Directors Stacie Arancibia, Alejandro Carrillo, Sue Bangon Emanivong, Dan Baladad, Lourdes Clesson, Collin Lewis, and Stergios Roussos. One testimonial shared in connection with the program is, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.”
Last updated June 23, 2026.
• Ages: 4–16 years old
• Schedule: Online registration for Winter/Spring After School Arts Classes (ages 6–16) begins Thursday, January 22, 2026, with painting at 4:00 pm and drawing at 5:00 pm; adult painting and drawing classes run in 6-week sessions on Thursday evenings from 6:00–8:00 pm.
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. ARTREE provides an avenue for local artists to teach the visual and performing arts, and ARTREE workshops can be scheduled in conjunction with tours of exhibits and the Downtown Public Art Tour. Kids’ Day at the MAC offers a free kids’ art project monthly, except in December, for children ages 4 and up.
The MAC is home to The Enrichment Center, a day program for artists with disabilities, The Arbor Gallery, a co-op of local artists, The Merced Academy of Dance, The Bear Creek Ukulele Society, local theater groups, LGBTQ+ groups, and local artists. The Merced Multicultural Arts Center has four art galleries, the Arbor Gallery, a black box theater, and a serving kitchen. The Merced Multicultural Arts Center has received an American Institute of Architecture award, and the Merced County Arts Council’s programming received the League of California Cities’ 2001 “Helen Putnam Award for Excellence” Grand Prize for Arts and Quality of Life. Merced was chosen as one of four California cities featured in the televised documentary “2001: Year of the Arts,” celebrating the 25th anniversary of the California Arts Council.
The Merced County Arts Council 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 Montgomery Wards department store. Since its completion in 1996 as a downtown redevelopment anchor, the Merced Multicultural Arts Center has served as an arts and cultural hub and is a 28,000 square foot multipurpose arts center with classroom, conference, and general meeting spaces. In 1996, the City of Merced entrusted the Arts Council to manage the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, which opened in 1997.
Leadership for the Merced County Arts Council 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. The 2024–2025 Board of Directors includes Rhonda Batson, President; Alissa Haynes, Vice President; Kathy Hansen, Secretary; Clifford Monte, Treasurer; and Directors Stacie Arancibia, Alejandro Carrillo, Sue Bangon Emanivong, Dan Baladad, Lourdes Clesson, Collin Lewis, and Stergios Roussos. One testimonial shared in connection with the program is, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.”
Last updated June 23, 2026.
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