The Academy provides immersive arts education for youth and adults through hands-on training, mentorship, and Broadway-style workshops. Signature programs include the Greenstone Art Camps and Workshops, ArtisticELY Arts in Action Workshops, and the NLAA Theater Camp, where young performers prepare full-scale productions. The Stars of the North Broadway Workshop offers expert coaching from professional artists, while our new high school Broadway in the Boundary Waters Apprenticeship gives emerging actors the chance to train alongside seasoned performers. These experiences cultivate creative confidence, foster lifelong artistic growth, and sustain the pipeline of talent that fuels our MainStage productions.
ArtisticEly: Arts in Action Workshops
ArtisticELY Arts in Action Workshops bring hands-on arts education to Ely for youth and adults. These creative workshops cover painting, writing, music, and more, giving participants the chance to explore new skills while connecting with the local arts community. Designed to be inspiring and approachable, they make the arts in Ely accessible to everyone.
Reflections Dance Company Classes
Reflections Dance Classes provide high-quality dance training in Ely for young dancers of all levels. Students develop confidence, technique, and performance skills while experiencing the joy of movement. Classes are led by Reflections Dance Company and often prepare students for summer performances with the Northern Lakes Arts Association.
Stars of the North: Theater Camps
Our youth theater camps in Ely immerse young performers in acting, singing, and stagecraft. Campers work with professional mentors to rehearse and perform a full-scale production, gaining experience in teamwork, creativity, and storytelling. These camps build confidence and introduce students to the excitement of live theater.
Greenstone Art Camp and Workshops
For over 20 years, Greenstone Art Camps and Workshops have provided engaging visual arts education in Ely. Participants of all ages explore painting, drawing, and mixed media while building skills and creative confidence. These long-standing programs highlight Ely’s thriving arts scene and offer opportunities for both beginners and experienced artists to grow.
Youth Art Scholarships
The Northern Lakes Arts Association Youth Arts Scholarship supports access to theater, dance, and visual arts for young people in Ely and the surrounding area. This scholarship helps ensure that financial barriers never prevent a child from participating in arts education programs.
Invest in Ely’s Creative Future
In rural communities like ours, access to the arts can shape the course of a young person’s life. The Northern Lakes Arts Academy removes barriers by offering scholarships, mentorships, and hands-on learning that nurture confidence, creativity, and community. For over 20 years, these programs have sparked imaginations and built a pipeline of local talent that shines on our stages and enriches our town.
Your donation makes this possible. Every dollar directly supports youth and adult learners, ensuring that no one is turned away because of cost. Together, we can keep Ely’s arts ecosystem thriving for the next generation.
Give today and be part of the story.