Foundational Program

No Experience Needed: Unleash your Creativity
Free classes for teens ages 12 – 19

Unleash your creativity at Spy Hop! Take one of our Foundational classes in film, audio, music, or design; no experience needed! These short classes are designed for artists of every skill level — whether you’re a first-time or returning student. Dig in and learn media art skills from our professional teaching artists, become a part of the Spy Hop community, and make your creative ideas come to life. Register today and unlock the door to learn new skills.

About the Foundational Program

  • Participation is free!
  • No experience needed
  • Take as many foundational classes as you like
  • Classes are available for rising 7th graders thru age 19
  • Classes are grouped by ages: 12 – 14 (middle-school), and 15 – 19 (high-school and beyond)
  • Class capacity: 10 students per foundational class
  • Afterschool and Summer Foundational classes are offered on different schedules to give students as many opportunities as possible to find a class that fits their schedule!

Tips on the Registration Process:

  1. Complete the online registration form prior to the start of class – please note the recommended ages for classes and schedule! 
  2. After registering, you will receive communication to confirm your enrollment. Be sure to respond to the request to confirm your enrollment.

*Note: Capacity for Foundational classes is capped at 10; if we are unable to confirm your enrollment, your seat will be given to another student.

Questions? Call Spy Hop 801-532-7500 or email programs@spyhop.org 

Read about Spy Hop’s approach to afterschool programming and creating a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for all students.

Current and Upcoming Foundational Classes

Design 
| Foundational
September 9 – October 16, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 6–8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Short stories, big personality. In this animation class, you’ll bring characters to life—one strut, joke, or dramatic pause at a time.
Design 
| Foundational
September 15 – October 8, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4–6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Bring your imagination to life—one character at a time. In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll design original characters for comics, games, or animation.
Audio, Design, Film, Music 
| Foundational
September 16 – October 9, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4–6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Calling all horror fans, monster makers, and scream queens—this class is your haunted playground.
Film 
| Foundational
October 27 – November 19, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4–6pm

Ages 12 - 14

From cinematic portraits to experimental nature shots, this hands-on class is all about seeing the world differently—and capturing it through your lens.
Design 
| Foundational
October 27 – November 19, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4–6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Code your own top-down game using GameMaker.
 
| Foundational
November 11 – December 11, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4–6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Learn how to write, record, and mix your own song.
Design 
| Foundational
November 11 – December 11, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 6–8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Get ready to invent, design, and actually build your own board game—from the rules to the game pieces.
Film 
| Foundational
November 11 – December 11, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4–6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Dive deep into the art of cinematography, and tell emotionally-rich stories.
Design 
| Foundational
January 12 – February 4, 2026
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Where art and code collide: design characters, create levels, and code gameplay.
Film 
| Foundational
January 13 – February 5, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Take cinematic portraits and experimental nature shots—capture the world thru your lens.
Film 
| Foundational
January 13 – February 5, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Design futuristic costumes and craft sound effects and scores for otherworldly scenes.
Film 
| Foundational
January 26 – March 4, 2026
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Learn the ins and outs of writing, shooting, and editing with a small crew.
Design 
| Foundational
January 27 – March 5, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Craft short digital games that tell a story through environment, interaction, and design.
Music 
| Foundational
January 27 – March 5, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Turn raw ideas into an original song that’s all your own.
Audio, Music 
| Foundational
January 27 – March 5, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Learn the ins and outs of music production—write, record, and engineer.
Design 
| Foundational
February 23 – March 18, 2026
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Learn how to animate pixel art for short films and video games.
Film 
| Foundational
February 24 – March 19, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Grab a camera, join the crew, and hit record.
Audio, Design, Film, Music 
| Foundational
February 24 – March 19, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Explore how musicians tell their stories through more than just sound.
Film 
| Foundational
March 30 – May 6, 2026
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Explore filmmaking, and intentionally break film rules to dive into the abstract.
Audio, Music 
| Foundational
March 31 – May 7, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Get hands-on experience with instruments, mics, and audio software to create your first track from scratch.
Design 
| Foundational
March 31 – May 7, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Learn how to turn simple cardboard into costume armor fit for the stage, screen, or cosplay convention.
Design 
| Foundational
April 13 – May 6, 2026
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Create custom jewelry, pouches, cardboard armor, and 3D-printed props!
Film 
| Foundational
April 14 – May 7, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Play with the standards and rules of filmmaking to create something new and different!
Audio, Design 
| Foundational
April 14 – May 7, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Create your own radio shows, host interviews, and produce a class zine all about music.
Music 
| Foundational
April 14 – May 7, 2026
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Team up with other musicians to write and perform an original track together.
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