ArtStart 2021 Registration is now open to MAC Members
The Marion Art Center is pleased to announce the return of ArtStart in 2021. ArtStart is the MAC's summer art program for children aged 4 1/2 to 9 years, offered in late June through July. ArtStart teachers are specialists in music, dance, theater, and art, most of whom teach throughout the year and are professionals in their fields. Activities include arts and crafts, theater, music, games, and storytelling. The MAC is working hard to reimagine its summer camp this year to align with state recommended safety guidelines, with lots of new fun activities. Camp runs weekly, Monday through Friday, from 9:00am‒12:30pm daily. MAC members (at Family level or above) have access to early registration and receive a significant discount on ArtStart tuition.

Cost per weekly session: $215 for MAC members | $240 for nonmembers
- Session 1: Monday, June 28 - Friday, July 2
- Session 2: July 5-9
- Session 3: July 12-16
- Session 4: July 19-23
- Session 5: July 26-30.

As of February 5, registration is open for current MAC members (in person and by phone or email only). Not yet a member? It’s easy to join online here.
Registration for nonmembers will open on Friday, February 26, at which time online registration will become available. Due to very limited capacity, ArtStart fees are nonrefundable unless camp is cancelled. Visit us online to find out more.

The MAC Announces New Camp Director for ArtStart 2021
The Marion Art Center is pleased to welcome Benares Angeley as its 2021 ArtStart Director. Angeley has been working with children in creative art endeavors for more than twenty years. She is the founder and director of Children’s Art Lab, a creative, process-based mobile art studio that brings art to children and families through the SouthCoast region. Angeley teaches pre-K through 8th grade art and music at St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet, MA while operating Art Lab through several venues. Angeley has run many Art Lab programs at the Marion Art Center and has contributed to the MAC’s virtual programming, as well as other community partnerships such as the grassroots organization Tri-Town Against Racism. She received her Masters of Fine Arts in Fibers from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth in 2005 and is currently working toward obtaining her Masters in Elementary Education through Merrimack College in North Andover, MA.

Job Openings for ArtStart 2021
The Marion Art Center is currently accepting applications for ArtStart 2021 counselors and program teachers for art-making and theater. Camp runs for five weeks this year, from June 28-July 30, and children attend camp Monday through Friday from 9:00am-12:30pm daily. Counselors may be hired for some or all camp weeks, while applicants for teaching positions should be available for all five weeks. All camp employees will work under the direction of ArtStart director Benares Angeley. The MAC aims to fill six counselor and two teacher positions by early- to mid-April. Interviews for all positions will begin in March. All positions are part-time (roughly twenty hours per week), and some additional time may be required outside of advertised camp hours. All staff will be expected to follow state recommended safety guidelines. Employees should present a willingness for flexibility and improvisation if program changes are necessary. As a member of the MAC team, one is expected to maintain a positive, professional attitude, value diversity, and contribute to an atmosphere of respect, encouragement, and open communication.

Camp counselors should have experience working with young children. Those who wish to apply for a counselor position may request an application by emailing info@marionartcenter.org (with “ArtStart Employment” in the subject line), by calling the MAC at 508-748-1266, or by inquiring in person during gallery hours (Thurs-Sat 10am-2pm) at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion, MA.

ArtStart teachers will work closely with the ArtStart Director to plan weekly curriculum under various camp themes. Teachers will be responsible for running daily camp activities in their specific fields and should be comfortable working with children of various ages and abilities, in groups of up to thirteen kids at a time. Interested applicants should send a PDF with cover letter indicating field of interest, resume, and a list of three references with phone numbers and email addresses to info@marionartcenter.org with “ArtStart teacher” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received, and candidates will be contacted if selected for an interview.