Explore Our Programs

The CRATE offers a variety of programs for all ages and venues.
Read more about our current roster below.

Thanks to our partners:

Collaborative, Recreational,
Artistic Thrifting Experiences

…come in all shapes and sizes.
Choose which one of our existing programs fits best for you, or collaborate with us to make a new one!

  • Affordable, personalized art lessons for the budding creative in the comfort of your own home. Using materials from your own recycling bin, our artists prove that art concepts don’t need expensive supplies to be learned.

    • Offered year-round

    • 60 minute sessions starting at $40

    Inquire via contact@crateofcuriousthings.org

  • Through tower-making, t-shirt designing, mystery box mayhem and more, the Crate’s Spring 2025 Cardboard Club was a hugely successful trial. This 6-week curriculum develops more than tool skills for the 8-14 year olds. It also introduces teamwork and adaptability skills through highly engaging, hands-on cardboard-centered challenges. Bring a box and a smile, you’re ready for Cardboard Club!

    • Offered in Spring, Summer and Fall Seasons

    • 6-week programs (90 minutes/session) starting at $360

    Inquire via contact@crateofcuriousthings

  • Called “Project Orange” for its artistic use of recycled pill bottles, these engaging, energetic programs are catered to seniors. Each program offers several levels of complexity to accommodate the seasoned crafters and newbies alike. Fine-motor controlled tools such as hot glue guns and XActo knives are available, but minimally required.

    • Offered May through August, 2026

    • 90 minute programs starting at $80

    Inquire via contact@crateofcuriousthings.org

  • Every professional started somewhere. Some may have started as a kid selling lemonade in front of their house or origami frogs in study hall. The Crate’s Lemonade Stand initiative wants to bring executives back to the elementary business frameworks using recyclable materials, to master complex interpersonal communication and teamwork skills. Halfway through a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Communication, and all the way through Charles Duhigg’s book “Supercommunicators,” our resident communications enthusiast, Joshua Steely, has some truly intriguing curriculum up his sleeves.

    Give your staff a challenge strange enough to remember!

    • Offered year-round

    • 60 minute programs starting at $60

    Inquire via contact@crateofcuriousthings.org

Forming a connection is the most important part of our whole process. We want to meet you first and understand your motives before charging you a dime.

Connect

You’re part of the process! Whether selecting a workshop from our archive or ideating an entirely new program, we want to work alongside you, not just for you.

Collaborate

The Crate prioritizes upcycling with every program. We want to know what resources you may be recycling or even trashing at your own facility, and see how we can use them, before purchasing anything new.

Collect

Then comes the fun part: the program. We hope it goes perfectly, but we’re also constantly improving. Each and every program gets a little bit better, so we hope you stick around.

Commence

  • Hannah Burnworth, Manchester High School, @milkhousestudio

    "The Crate of Curious Things presents an opportunity to explore, create, find multiple solutions, and have a great time together in community. Josh's vision is truly unique and open to all kinds of thought."

  • Sarah Morbitzer, North Manchester Public Library

    "I've had the pleasure of working with Josh several times to host cardboard workshops at our public library. He has a great teaching style that is humorous, safety-conscious, and skill-building. Participants were always thrilled with their finished products, taking home something they were proud to show off and display. Highly recommend him for a unique art experience that helps people look at throwaway materials in a new light!"

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