Would you sign your child up for art lessons - same idea as dance?

[WillR]

Hello,

I'm curious - if art lessons were available in your area would your child be interested? It would be similiar to dance - a program from September through May or June with an art show at the end (like a dance recital).

Classes meet once a week for an hour or an hour and a half and kids learn to draw realistically.

In our area the only options for art lessons are limited rec department classes that run about 6 weeks. In our school system art is limited. K-5 go once a week with the majority of the time setting up and cleaning up. In middle school art is "integrated" into the curriculum and kids only go to art class for a quarter of the year. Contrast that with the music program - 8 full time teachers and with a 6-day schedule rotation kids go 8 times!

Art seems like such an interest for so many kids but it's not taught in an ungoing progressive format like music or dance ---- I wonder why ----

Anyways, if it were available would you be interested?

 

[Serena]

I would, but my girls love art. I'm not sure I would do it if they didn't.

 

[glo]

I think the arts are very important...If they had something like that around here I would not hesitate to sign up my kids if they were interested. Mine do have theater arts available, and we do those. I think it is a great idea.

 

[WillR]

My son (almost 14) does theatre arts too - we've been lucky finding programs for him and his middle school also offers some incredible stuff.

He's totally into the technical side - lights and sound, programming. I really think somehow it will become his future - not what I would have predicted but I'm happy he's found something to be passionate about.

Art lessons that follow a dance schedule format would likely cost about $50 a month for younger kids (1 hour) and $65 a month for older kids and teens (1 1/2 hours)

I did a couple classes like this myself (an actual program wasn't offered so I couldn't do more) and I loved it. I've been drawing forever but something about a step by step program that logically builds on itself had me instantly hooked It was non-competitive and really allowed you to make creative decisions and learn from your own work.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

I wouldn't sign my girls up for art -- because that's not where their interest lies. there are only so many hours in a day, and they'd rather be singing/dancing/at cheerleader practice.

but I knew someone who did sign her son up for these classes. this was a kid who always had a crayon or pencil in his hand and was always drawing.

 

[Saffron]

Absolutely, if they were interested!!!! There's no difference in signing your child up for an art enrichment class than any other enrichment class, such as dance, soccer, swimming, singing, photography, auto mechanics, karate etc!!!

I wish him lots of luck! Sounds like fun for him!!

 

[jldriscoll]

Mine would not given that their mom is an art teacher!!!

I have taught private lessons for years. Yes it is a wonderful extra curric. activity!

 

[5inatra]

Of course!! I took art classes at our local conservatory for about 4 years! The place offering them probably has several styles of art. When i was younger, i took cartooning, and painting with acrylics before i even thought of the realistic drawing class, then back to acrylics. I think it depends on the age, patience, etc. of the child, so ask what he/she wants to take. If i didnt love my teacher, and my class, i wouldnt have kept it up! Have Fun!!!

WillR- techies rock!! lol ) Im the Stage Manager at my high school, and also the vice prez. of the tech-side of our theatre company. I want to go to Syracuse and study technical theatre Good luck to your son.

~*Carly*~

 

[janette]

Yes, my youngest especially would like a program like that. Maybe I need to look for one around here.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I was just thinking about that before. DS is working on his art badge for cub scouts. He really likes drawing and is good at it! I can only imagine after lessons. His teacher last year dubbed him the "class artist." I'll have to seriously consider it. He no longer wants to be a football player for the Dolphins since Marino is gone. Hee hee! And he says he wants to be an artist. The wheels are spinning about artistic careers now.

 

[snoopy]

I have taught art to kids in this type of curriculum on and off for several years. Its very rewarding, particularly with a child who initially feels they are not artistic, and then at the end of the program turns in a masterpeice.

Both of my children have taken art lessons since they were 3, but then again, I am an artist and its inherited in their genes, I guess. Kids have an amazing ability to express themselves through art, I think any child would enjoy a class such as the one you described.

 

[bumcat]

My 8 yr old son loves art and yes he would be interested. He enrolls in the after school art. He placed in the art show for his school district in 1st grade for a painting of the Van Gogh tree. All the credit goes to his 1st grade art teacher!

 

[MerryPoppins]

I would and have done so. My kids both have taken classes at our local Firehouse Art Center. In fact, I took classes there when I was a kid. Guess that means they've been around since the dark ages.

Ours offers Saturday classes and evening classes, as well as more extended classes in the summer. Look into it if your kids are interested. It can be really fun.

 

[dmslush]

My daughter takes group art lessons every friday afternoon from her art teacher. I don't know that they are planning a show at the end of the year or anything, the lessons just started. But, my daughter loves it.

You might talk to the school's art teachers and see if they give lessons after school. Here many of the teachers do afterschool stuff like lessons, tutoring, etc.. to earn a little extra money.

 

[JESW]

Funny you should mention this as I've been looking for something for my 7 yo DS. He LOVES to draw and I would like to find a program that would not stifle him - teach him that there is only one way of doing things.

Right now he loves drawing Pokemon characters. He is not into the game - just the characters. He can draw many of them freehand very well.

Jill

 

[honeywolf7]

I definitely would, but my daughter wants to learn tumbling.

 

[tnkrbell]

THis is too funny!! My DD tried a Acro class this week and HATED it!! She felt very uncomfortable. She is extremely smart (Gifted) But is soo not coordinated, She said to me "can we find an art class instead mom???"

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by WillR
Anyways, if it were available would you be interested?

Darn straight! I can see that DD (almost 5) already has the gene from my mother/brother's that I never had! And, she enjoys crayons, markers, paint, pencil, anything! Last year, her PK-3 teacher mentioned that DD had a knack for color separation and drawing already. Whereas most kids just kept drawing a big circle, color over color, DD separated all her colors into an actual drawing. All this with NO guidance whatsoever so, if I ever find something to help her enjoy this even more, she'll be there!!

 

[Rajah]

If I had kids and they had any interest in art, YOU BETCHA!! I remember taking several different kinds of art classes when I was a kid, and I loved them!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by JESW

Right now he loves drawing Pokemon characters. He is not into the game - just the characters. He can draw many of them freehand very well.

Jill

My 5yo dd is into ART. She has a basket filled with Pokemon characters she draws and cuts out, too LOL. In fact she has taken to making her "own" Pokemon.
Yes I have thought about signing her up for classes. She is finally into K & I think I can get her into a local class. OR we do have a place in the city that does do art for kids, everything from A-Z. But the classes are not cheap & it is quite a drive.