Program Details

Claymobile Program Options

• Claymobile residency program: A series of weekly ceramics classes that last 6 to 12 weeks, led by a professional ceramic artist and assistant, that are hosted at your school or organization.

• Claymobile workshops: One-time classes that are hosted at your school or organization.

• Claymobile events: Activities hosted by the Claymobile at community events and festivals.

Financial Information

Subsidized rate: The majority of our partners qualify for a subsidized rate of $200 per Claymobile session. This rate is available to schools and organizations that serve an economically disadvantaged population (75% or more of the constituents are classified as having an economic disadvantage). Sliding scale rates are also available.

Fully subsidized wait list: If your organization is unable to pay $200 per class, you may request to be put on the wait list to receive full funding for a Claymobile residency (series of classes). It can take 6 to 24 months for fully funded residencies to become available, and we cannot guarantee funding. We are happy to brainstorm other funding ideas and support you in your independent fundraising efforts.

The full cost of operating Claymobile is $530 per class. We are grateful to our supporters who make subsidizing our classes possible.

Claymobile Curriculum

We strive to meet your goals and needs by offering four curriculum options:

• Creative Clay works as an “open arts” program, where projects are determined by students’ age and ability. Students will be led through a variety of functional and sculptural handbuilding projects that focus on creativity and self-expression. Students learn the basic techniques, such as coil-building, slab-making, pinching, attaching wet clay through the “slip and score” method, glazing, underglazing, and cold finish decoration.

• S.T.E.A.M. invites students to explore projects in science, technology, engineering, and/or math while creating artwork. Past examples include creating and studying fossils and volcanoes, floating boats, and exploring clay expansion before and after kiln firing. You can choose to focus on one or two portions of S.T.E.A.M. or can opt for a sampler that would touch on all areas.

• Collaborative Clay allows classroom teachers and staff members to work with Claymobile staff to develop curriculum with areas of focus in world cultures, literature, social justice, or art history. This collaboration would include an academic focus on these subjects in the classroom outside of Claymobile lessons.

• Claymation challenges students to develop storyboards, imagine characters, and write dialogue while creating objects and characters using Plasticine clay. Students advance their literacy through narrative storytelling while incorporating technology to create stop-motion mini-films.

All Claymobile lessons complement/adhere to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities.

Claymobile Partners

We partner with many types of organizations, including:

• Schools in Philadelphia, Camden, and Delaware Counties

• Any pre-K through 12th-grade classroom, including science, social studies, and art classes

• After-school programs

• Summer camps

• Community centers

• Senior centers

• Social services centers

• Juvenile justice centers

• Community events and festivals

Class Size

The Claymobile is able to work with groups of up to 33 students. 

Schedule

The Claymobile program holds classes all year long. Classes are available to be scheduled 7 days a week. Classes are typically 90 minutes long.    

Location & Supplies

We come to you. Your organization simply needs to provide:

• An invested adult to oversee the activities

• A room with tables and chairs

• A source of water

 

Claymobile provides:

• A professional teaching artist and assistant

• All needed supplies and materials for ceramics

• Tarps and canvas for tables

• Storage for all supplies (we’ll transport materials to and from your location, so you don’t need to store anything onsite)