Happen Programs
Over its history Happen, Inc. has developed many outreach programs bringing unique, creative activities to the community. This page offers brief descriptions of many of our programs, some of which are available to come to your school or organization. If you're interested in Happen's travelling programming please email us at info@happeninc.org. Over time we hope to expand each of these entries with more information, pictures and videos of each Happen program. Please stay tuned.
Happen's Toy Lab
A unique experience where kids or adults can select 7 parts from our collection of donated and recycled toys and with the help of our professors they create they’re own one-of-a-kind toy. This program focuses on up-cycling old and broken things rather than throwing in a landfill.
Happen's Community Gardens
Happen has three community gardens in our neighborhood each with their own unique purposes and personalities. From our small streetside flower garden to the massive, new Happen Outside, Happen's gardens are places where we can bring art and activites for families out into the fresh air.
Happen's Teen Hall
Twice a month Northside teens meet at Happen's studio on a Saturday evening to share a meal and participate in an activity all while learning the value of a strong and diverse community. In addition to the fun, teens have also spent time planning neighborhood cleaning days and learning job and resume skills.
Happen's After School Art Programs
Happen travels to schools and churches throughout the community bringing one of over 80 different activities to the places where kids and parents are. If you're interested in having ASAP programming at your location please contact Happen at info@happeninc.org
Happen's Lights Camera Learning in Action
Happen’s collaborative film making project where kids from local youth organizations work together to write, produce and film their own short film. Over the course of several weeks participants learn team up to tackle every aspect of film making from casting to costumes all culminating in a red carpet premier for family and friends.
Happen's Breadwinners
Happen’s first program for 13 - 17 year olds, Breadwinners meet once a week to design and print t-shirts which are sold in Happen’s Toy Lab. Participants learn the basics of both screen printing and what it’s like to run a small business.
Happen's Kids Film Critics
On the third Sunday of each month, kid critics meet in Happen's Make It to watch and discuss a movie then write their reviews which appear in next month's Northsider community newspaper. Each session is led by a volunteer professional film critic to help the participants explore the ideas and themes behind each movie.
Happen's Community Canvas
Bringing art to the communities, Happen’s Community Canvas brings large scale prints of famous paintings to schools and community centers. Participants take part in the creation as they weave strips of each painting into a chain-link fence and take part in a lesson on art history.
Happen's Let's Play With Clay
Kids and parents get to enjoy all the fun of ceramics while leaving mess and hassle to Happen. With a number of sessions focused on a variety of basic ceramics techniques, participants also learn the history of clay across many civilizations.
Happen's Make It
Make It is Happen's newest outreach program focusing on bringing the world of science, technology, engineering and nature to kids and parents. With science activities and a regularly changing experiment window, Happen's Make It explores the connection between creativity and science.