Yocum Institute for Arts Education

★Facely Saurus

I loved it at first, but we've had communication issues over the past year. The front desk woman has never been kind. I guess this place just isn't for our family. We were denied a refund for the registration fee even though it was their lack of communication that we were not able to attend. Their website will also have conflicting date information for art classes. Until there is a new director of education, I wouldn't recommend for young children. I will say, I do not have experience with their associated martial arts or dance studios and we've never taken music or drama classes here. My review is for the PreK and Toddler programs and the art classes.

★Brant Portner

Drove an hour to check out the "Folk Show" display and was extremely disappointed to be told at the front desk that the display was already taken down. Flyers and the website said the display was running until November 29th. We arrived November 25th excited to check things out, four days before the advertised date that the display would run until. After looking on social media for more information, the Facebook page said the Institute is closed from Nov 26 to Dec 1. Still not a reason for a display to be taken down before the 25th. And if the Institute closes on the 26th through the 1st, that still doesn't explain why everything says the display goes until the 29th. Someone needs to improve communications and graphic design to properly convey when galleries will actually available to view. False advertising and a wasted trip is money I didn't spend at the Institute and a place I will not be returning to.

★Melissa

Booked a drawing class for my daughter over the summer. She basically sat there drawing whatever she wanted with no actual teaching. I went to drop her off last week and she said it was cancelled. I thought it was just that one class. To be sure, I went to check on the class and every session is cancelled. So I called to inquire about the class. I was told that the summer class runs on a different schedule so it's only four weeks even though everything that I booked online said that it was going to run from the beginning of June to mid August. I never would have booked just a 4-week class over ine of the busiest times of the year for my family. There was nothing that indicated this class would run only 4 weeks until I called today. I am very disappointed and so is my daughter. Be very cautious when booking and the drawing studio class is a joke for kids that actually draw as a hobby.

★★A Leigh

My son took a comic book art class here. He's really into drawing/sketching so he was excited. When finished, his words were, "I don't think the 'teacher' really knew anything about art." Thay the teacher was more of a chaperone than an art teacher. He said there was no lecture, no guidelines and no actual learning, no introductions. About 10 kids, sitting in silence, just drawing. I was kind of disappointed and so was he. This isn't what you expect when you pay for a 'class'. I'm not sure about any other classes they offer but this makes me hesitant to pay or sign my kids up for any more classes.

★★★★★Kate DeArmas

My son started class here last year. He immediately fell in love with the class, his instructor, Johan, and the group of boys he met. We felt welcomed into the group and he is always so excited to go to class. I'm so glad we were able to find an extracurricular activities that he WANTS to go to. There's nothing worse to me than feeling as though I'm forcing my son to participate in an activity or sport that he doesn't truly enjoy. So glad Yocum moved to Sinking Spring. Can't wait for fall classes to start!