Lawrence Arts Center

★★★★★Jenny Trucano

We are so lucky to have the Arts Center here in Lawrence- great classes and camps for kids, wonderful performances, and fantastic exhibits.

★★★★★R. Pearson

The arts center has something for everyone, just about every day of the week. From classes on just about anything, to rotating exhibitions, the LAC is truly a gem of Lawrence. Get tickets for a show, you don't want to miss the performers here either!

★Kitty

That would be zero stars if it were possible. We left the Arts Center years ago after watching kids seemingly get preferential treatment for roles based on how much money their parents donated or how well they knew the director. Roles were not always cast based on talent. We also had an experience where a teacher, Betsy McCafferty, allowed a 6 year old girl to remain in dance class even though she would run around and kick other students, hurting my own daughter more than once. Ironically, that is the reason we returned to the Arts Center. My very energetic 4 year old grandson begged to take a dance class and my 5 year old daughter wanted to take one with him. I thought the teacher who handled that 6 year old girl could handle a little boy who had never done a structured activity before. I was wrong. She complained about him to the director, Hanan Misko, after his second week. I received an email from the director and called as he requested. He never called me back, though I believe my message said the teacher had asked me to participate to help my grandson transition into class. She had, indeed, asked me to participate in the class and be my grandson's helper. I ended up offending her (I suppose when I questioned her trying to kick my grandson out of class for the day) and got a call from the dance director, Hanan Misko. He kept telling me it wasn't a mommy/me class an didn't seem to hear me the 3 times I told him the instructor had asked me to participate. He also did not observe the class before sending emails or making calls, even though he told me he always observes a class when he receives a concern. He ended up offering me a partial refund for all of the classes my family was enrolled in. We believe they owe us more than they are willing to refund. The real kicker? I didn't enroll my grandson in the class, his mother did. The director never spoke with her at all about this. When I told him I'd relayed the information to my daughter, he said thank you instead of asking for her contact information (which is on my grandson's enrollment sheet!). The teacher never discussed any concerns with my grandson's mother, either. Oh, and the teacher hasn't been disciplined for discriminating against a little boy as far as I know.

★★Melanie Boston

I have been bringing my grandchildren to the art classes for 2 summers. Nice programs except the way kid's are let off and picked up. I have waited at least 10 min each day for kids to be taken to classes. This is excessive and makes things difficult if there are other kids with you.They should have a sign up sheet and allow kids into specific rooms. Parents pay good money for these classes and it seems ridiculous to hang out in the lobby for inderminable amounts of time.

★★★★★Daria Claiborne

It's refreshing to come here. I've attended the Clay Symposium numerous times (the last three times it has been held). They have top quality presenters and the galleries are quite worth while. I love these symposiums! I feel like I truly get to know each of the presenters.....and it's adorable seeing the young ballerinas on Saturday mornings. Flash back to when my own daughters first took dance. Keep it UP!!