Programs & Services

Learn how to create and appreciate art from the experts

The Door offers free creative arts classes six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Classes include a variety of topics, including performing and visual arts, music and dance. All instructors are teaching artists, meaning that they have extensive experience in their subject areas. Teachers can offer one-on-one help based on your skill and interest level.

Supporting you to push yourself

Creative Arts classes are provided to both support and challenge you. No matter which class you take, you will work towards a final performance or project to be shared with your peers. Many of the performances and final presentations can be seen in Center Space, The Door’s 1st floor open area designed for performances, meetings, games, workshops and other activities.

Visual Arts

• The Door offers a wide range of visual arts classes including:
• Painting
• Drawing
• Graphic Arts
• Portfolio development

Performing Arts

• Breakdancing – classes for beginners level students and beyond that focus on classic breakdancing as well as other dance styles like Popping and Locking. Classes also include exercises to help develop inner strength and a core value for self improvement. Seasonal performances are optional for students.
• Bustin' Out Theater – a theater troupe dedicated to using the life experiences of members to create performances that address contemporary social issues. Develop scenes and monologues through poetry, rhyming, creative movement, and improvisation, and showcase your original work throughout the year both at The Door and other locations throughout NYC.
• Kiki Function – a weekly Vogue workshop and competition open to all Door members. Kiki Functions are positive and fun events. They include introductory workshops to help you learn the basics of Vogue. In addition, The Door has partnered with several other NYC-based organizations to form the Kiki Coalition to help nurture a group of young leaders in the community who go out to other groups and help them run positive competitions.

Open Mic

Open mic sessions happen every Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. in Center Space and are open to all Door members. Here is your chance to perform musical pieces and spoken word, sing, dance and showcase your other artistic pieces for feedback and praise from your peers.

Music

The Door’s Music Program provides a range of opportunities to study music performance and production, with a focus on culturally diverse musical influences that are reflective of our members. We are currently offering courses in:

• Piano
• Drums
• Guitar
• DJ Turntables
• Music composition using MIDI technology
• Music production and performance

To learn more about The Door’s Creative Arts programming, contact Isaac Kwock at 212-941-9090 ext. 3344.