Executive Director

Claire Root Benson

MCEC - Former Moon Elementary building

Physical Address: 1826 Hoyt St. 

Mailing Address: 80 W. Southern Ave.

Phone: (231) 720-2040

Office Hours:   Monday through Thursday, 11:00am-7:00pm 

Note: These are general hours only, as program needs vary week by week. Please call ahead to make an appointment so I do not miss you.  231-720-2040

For further information or to apply online, please visit the Poppen Programs website at: https://www.poppenprograms.org

Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeF5EUy6nEjtRQYhH26L10S3wbWvbEtht8ORSmiEv37gcCbUw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111875133455632920377

The Nancy K. Poppen Program

Nancy Poppen was a local visual artist who wanted all children to be able to explore the fine arts. She started her fund at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in 1993, with her husband Sherman R. Poppen, who graduated from Muskegon High School, to assist lower income families at Muskegon Public Schools with access to arts lessons. The program funds weekly lessons in the arts, supplies, summer workshops, coaching, and camps, for individual Big Red students after acceptance into the program. Arts opportunities available include any kind of visual art, music lesson, dance class, theatre, creative writing, or spoken word. A Board of Directors of community leaders, arts specialists, and school staff members oversees the program and director. Any Big Red student currently in 3rd through 11th grade may apply for either the November 1st or May 1st application deadlines, to join us the following semester.

The Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship Fund

In 2000, Sherman and Louise Poppen added to the Nancy K. Poppen Program by making the Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship Fund. The fund helps students who have stayed in the Nancy K. Poppen program until their graduation from Muskegon High School, with post-secondary educational expenses. Students may apply during their senior year at Muskegon High School by February 1st, and can apply again each year they are working toward college studies or other arts apprenticeship programs.