Where to look for Art classes

[Lilacs4Me]

DD (6th grade) won a scholarship for an art contest she entered this spring. We have to use the money to pursue instruction in art this summer. It cannot be used for supplies (darn!). If we do not use it, she loses it. The scholarship is set up in such a way that we pay for the classes, camp, lessons, etc first, submit proof of payment, and we get reimbursed.

But I cannot find anything good for her age! And I have no idea really on how to even start looking. Everything I pull from the internet when searching "art classes" with our zip code, or similar searches, pulls up either those adult painting party places or rec department kids art classes. Those are great, but not what I am looking for.

DD's "thing" is pencil sketching. To give an example, her entry was a pencil sketch of a closeup of about 2/3rds of a human face - not sure if it showed up, but I tried to attach it to this post.

Any other ideas where we could use this money? If it helps, we live in the Chicago area. I've already looked, among other places, at the Chicago Institute of Art, and for kids her age, it's just more of the same "Saturday Workshop" kind of art/craft kid classes. I didn't see anything for teens/young adults that offered any kind of serious instruction.

 

[scrhsa]

Who did she win the contest from? Maybe they have suggestions? Maybe contact the art dept at the highschool/college for suggestions? Is there an art guild locally? Would the scholarship work if you were to hire someone for one on one? I know I am just throwing more questions at you and not really helping You daughter did a great job on her picture. Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am sure it is out there, do not despair, you are in Chicago there has to be a ton of stuff. What is the scholarship amount?

Here in St. Louis we have "Craft Alliance". I am sure you are looking for something like this.
http://www.craftalliance.org/education/studiosdl.htm

My dd took classes here in middle school. Plus check out your parks and rec, colleges, etc.

I will see if I can find something similar in your area.

Here is something! I will caution you that if you want to take advantage, you really have to speed up the process. Sign ups start early and fill up quickly.

http://www.saic.edu/cs/msp/summercamps/

 

[aejammers]

Our local art museum has summer art classes, based on age/grade, and they cover all kind of interests. Here's a link to give you an idea. Maybe look to smaller art museums in your area.
http://www.michenerartmuseum.org/events/?subgroup=243

Congrats to your daughter!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I searched children art classes Chicago and got a number of results. Examples http://lillstreet.com/department/kids-classes
http://www.saic.edu/cs/children/summercamps/
http://www.easelartstudio.com/camp/#artcamp
http://www.thepaintbrush.net/

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Tried to start a conversation but I don't see that option on your profile. My daughter just completed an on-line drawing course that I would be happy to send you some links to. I don't know if they are full for the summer. But it may help address her needs. We are in the same boat that it seems that art classes tend to aim for the very young with little experience or to an older audience. But we don't have much local options.

 

[dashofsunshine]

I'm a local art teacher in Nashville, TN. I work evenings as well, at a little studio, just for extra work - it's an adult painting party place, but we also do summer camps, after school, and private lessons for kids. So, it might be worth it to inquire at some of those adult places, because sometimes they offer more than you think we aren't a franchise, though - independently owned, and we both love teaching kids (obviously, since that's my day job), so we do the kids classes because we enjoy them; franchised places might not.

Check your local art museum as well - our museum, the Frist, has some amazing art classes for kids. Local schools (especially during the summer) often run camp art classes for kids as well.

Our art supply store here in town, Plaza, has art classes as well. Those are mostly for adults, but occasionally they do them for kids, and real art teachers instruct them

Lastly, we have a really great art studio in our huge local park. It's state owned, but I took several classes there before I started pursuing my BFA and had just moved to Nashville, and it was great! So definitely check that kind of thing out around your area.

Best of luck to you and your daughter!

 

[Poohforyou]

Try going into an art supply store (an independent one, not Michaels) and asking. Also, check with the art dept at a local college or with a local museum. Even check with your local ymca

 

[Imzadi]

Does it have to be a live, in-person workshop? There is website that teaches well respected workshops on-line with working, professional artists. Most have books out, in addition to being known, professional artists, so you can read up on the art instructors before joining. Here is the tab for what they have for drawing:

https://www.artistsnetwork.tv/catalog?label=Video Workshops by Medium&value=Drawing

They have plenty of previews for their video workshops. So you can pick any that would be at an appropriate level for DD and then go slowly through the lessons, stopping & starting as necessary, skipping over stuff that too advanced & technical. Since you can watch ALL the videos for a monthly fee, just pick & choose certain sections, instead of whole videos, for DD to work on. Like if she just wants to focus on drawing eyes better, just find a small segment teaching that.


There is also this online art forum. It is a huge, mega-source of artists at all levels, from absolute beginners, to working professionals. Join for free, and ask this same question there in their Drawing sub-forum. Also do a search in their archives. It is quite extensive. Surely, someone there will live in the Chicago area and have some ideas of where to go.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/index.php

This link is directly to the sub-forum on asking about art schools:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=103

Would the scholarship work if you were to hire someone for one on one?

I am sure it is out there, do not despair, you are in Chicago there has to be a ton of stuff. What is the scholarship amount?

Yes, Chicago is huge. I'm thinking there has to be some professional artist there who teaches kids or would be able to teach private, one-on-one lessons.

 

[pocomom]

DD (6th grade) won a scholarship for an art contest she entered this spring. We have to use the money to pursue instruction in art this summer. It cannot be used for supplies (darn!). If we do not use it, she loses it. The scholarship is set up in such a way that we pay for the classes, camp, lessons, etc first, submit proof of payment, and we get reimbursed.

But I cannot find anything good for her age! And I have no idea really on how to even start looking. Everything I pull from the internet when searching "art classes" with our zip code, or similar searches, pulls up either those adult painting party places or rec department kids art classes. Those are great, but not what I am looking for.

DD's "thing" is pencil sketching. To give an example, her entry was a pencil sketch of a closeup of about 2/3rds of a human face - not sure if it showed up, but I tried to attach it to this post.

Any other ideas where we could use this money? If it helps, we live in the Chicago area. I've already looked, among other places, at the Chicago Institute of Art, and for kids her age, it's just more of the same "Saturday Workshop" kind of art/craft kid classes. I didn't see anything for teens/young adults that offered any kind of serious instruction.

Try your local arts council. My dd takes a semi-private class with 2 friends with a local artist. She has made huge gains in her artistic skill over the year. It is not something he advertises but the art council knows who is willing to give lessons and whose specialty matches up with what your dd is interested in..

 

[rastahomie]

Put an ad on Craigslist, saying you're looking for a talented artist to tutor a young person. I'm sure there are plenty of artists looking to make some money.