Education

Our History

The Fountain Inn Center for Visual & Performing Arts was a new and unique concept when it was founded in 2008. The City of Fountain Inn purchased the building from the Greenville County School District in 1998 and utilized it as office space until 2007 when they hired a Director of Economic Development. In his quest to bring new business to the downtown, he knew that arts programming was the way. In 2008 a resident theatre company and chorale were formed and quickly performing arts classes followed. In 2009 the City began recruiting The Art Haven to relocate to the facility. They opened their doors in November 2009 on the second floor of our historic facility. As programming continued to expand so did the need for coordination of customer service so in January of 2011 the center acquired ownership of the Art Haven customer base and brought all educational programming under the Fountain Inn Arts Academy.

While the Fountain Inn Arts Academy has grown, students continue to work in small classes, ensuring they enjoy individual attention with a small group of like minded people. The facility mains a warm and family centered environment for students of all ages.

The Fountain Inn Arts Academy is located inside the Fountain Inn Center for the Visual and Performing Arts at 315 N. Main Street in the Historic Fountain Inn High School Building in Downtown Fountain Inn.

TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT!

I wanted to let you know how much my daughter, Hailie has enjoyed being part of the extraordinary Arts programs offered at The Center for the past three years. Hailie has been participating in theatre, vocal and visual arts camps and classes since the Academy’s inception. Not only have these programs been instrumental in building confidence while greatly increasing her artistic abilities, but she has also established close friendships with fellow students, teachers and staff- her F.I.R.E. family.  I plan to continue supporting the Arts programs at Fountain Inn, and to keep spreading the word to our friends and family, many of whom are already enjoying their own experiences at The Center. Thanks again and again.  - Lori Gold

My daughters have been coming to art classes with Susan and Michelle for ten years. They have taken both multi-media and pottery. These girls have both blossomed under their program. My oldest started at age four and has been developing her art skill since then.  She loves that Susan encourages her to be creative and stretch her abilities. She loves her relaxed approach to art, and coming to class is the highlight of her week.  My younger daughter has taken pottery class for over six years. She loves Michelle’s fun approach to class and how she encourages the students to think outside the box and just have fun. We love how the faculty looks at each student individually and work on that student’s passion and skill level in a relaxed, fun, and accommodating environment.  - Jo Marie Johanson

WHAT WE DO

The Fountain Inn Arts Academy is dedicated to providing quality education in the visual & performing arts, which is
complementary to, yet independent of, normal academic studies. In addition to preparing students for a possible arts career, FIAA training develops confidence, articulation, and communicaton skills, while encouraging creativity and stretching imagination.

We offer classes in the visual and performing arts including: acting, dance, drawing, musical theatre, music (including voice, piano, flute, clarinet, trumpet, French horn, saxophone, percussion, guitar, and violin), painting, pottery, and more for children, teens, and adults.

A WORD FROM OUR ARTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR

“Since our inception at the Fountain Inn Center for Visual & Performing Arts we have been dedicated to providing quality visual and performing arts education that is complementary to, yet independent of school studies. While we are aware that some students will harbour ambitions for a visual and performing arts career, our primary concern is to harvest the potential of every child. Our success is evidenced by the significant improvement in confidence, articulation, creativity, poise and communication that Fountain Inn Arts Academy Students typically display. As an extra-curricular activity we are aware that young people are willingly giving up their leisure time. Fun is therefore an essential element of any programming. We have found that the greatest fun is to be gained from the acquisition of skills and the development of projects. This is achieved in a disciplined environment under the caring eye of creative, professional, and energetic practitioners.

At the Fountain Inn Arts Academy we do not set out to create fun, but we are thrilled when this is the biproduct of all the fine art teaching we do in the visual and performing arts.” - Anita Sleeman

PAYMENTS:

 Payments are due the first day of each month and can be made on-line, over the phone or in person at our office in Room 103. Late Payment fees will be assessed.

REGISTRATION:

 Students can register on-line or in person and registration is open enrollment so students can join anytime during the year. Just stop by our office in Room 103 or go to www.ftinnarts.org.

SUPPLIES:

Click here for required supply list

 Visual Art and Music supplies are available for purchase in our office.

DISCOUNTS & SCHOLARSHIPS:

 Discounts are available for Summer multi-camp enrollments only. Limited Scholarships are available each fall, spring, and summer. Please contact the office for applications.

IMPORTANT DATES:

We will HAVE classes on all other Greenville County School Holidays & In-Service Days.

We will follow Greenville County Schools on weather related closings.

Rolling-enrollment - please call for class start times.

NO CLASSES - November 22, 23, & 24

NO CLASSES - December 21 - January 1

NO CLASSES - April 1 - 6

ALL Classes will end May 24 and summer sessions will begin.