Children's art classes currently enrolling for:
Our goals for learning within the children/teens program include:
- presenting classes focused on developing foundational concepts and skills within distinct media which are aligned with the stages of artistic development
- providing individualized attention to each student encouraging the representation of unique creative perspectives and the development of the portfolio
- providing opportunities for students to talk about their perceptions, their experience, their own work and the work of others reinforcing vocabulary specific to art making
- incorporating gallery learning in the museum in order to create opportunities to respond to the original work of other artists and to enhance student awareness of art, artists, and context
- providing an end of session synopsis outlining projects produced, references used, and skills and concepts covered
Children in Grades K-8 are invited to join us for a special Early Release program at the Danforth. This month, we will be using ink pads and thumbs as the starting point for creating an invented scene of people, animals and other objects. Colored pencils and sharpies will help bring the scenes to life. Danforth will provide popcorn and lemonade for snack, after which the children will enjoy a fun scavenger hunt in the museum and a game of Pictionary if there is time. Everyone goes home with a goody bag. Limited to 10 participants, 10% sibling discount.
Please note: All activities for this program take place in an art museum and an art studio, which are not spaces that can accommodate children that need to keep their bodies moving or have a hard time remembering not to do so in spaces with delicate artwork or art materials. We appreciate your understanding.
Register For ClassesParents, take advantage of a chance to go shopping or get a bite to eat – it’s a night just for the kids with us at the Danforth. Have fun learning how to create a unique woven artwork using found and colored papers and ribbons. Then, enjoy a night at the museum with a scavenger hunt, looking for clues in the artwork. Includes pizza, lemonade and a treat to take home. Drop off is between 5:45-6pm. Pick up is at 9pm. Perfect for children from kindergarten to grade 8.
Register For ClassesChildren in Grades K-8 are invited to join us for a special Early Release program at the Danforth. This month, we will be using watercolors to create flowers, trees, and other plants floating in a beautiful garden scene. Danforth will provide popcorn and lemonade for snack, after which the children will enjoy a fun scavenger hunt in the museum and a game of Pictionary if there is time. Everyone goes home with a goody bag. Limited to 10 participants, 10% sibling discount.
Please note: All activities for this program take place in an art museum and an art studio, which are not spaces that can accommodate children that need to keep their bodies moving or have a hard time remembering not to do so in spaces with delicate artwork or art materials. We appreciate your understanding.
Register For ClassesChildren in Grades K-8 are invited to join us for a special Early Release program at the Danforth. For this session, we will be using fun collage papers in various prints and colors to create the letters in our names in a vibrant, original artwork. Danforth will provide popcorn and lemonade for snack, after which the children will enjoy a fun scavenger hunt in the museum and a game of Pictionary if there is time. Everyone goes home with a goody bag. Limited to 10 participants, 10% sibling discount.
Please note: All activities for this program take place in an art museum and an art studio, which are not spaces that can accommodate children that need to keep their bodies moving or have a hard time remembering not to do so in spaces with delicate artwork or art materials. We appreciate your understanding.
Register For ClassesChildren in Grades K-8 are invited to join us for a special Early Release program at the Danforth. For this session, we will be using boxes, paint, fabrics and other fun materials to create a house for an indoor fairy. Danforth will provide popcorn and lemonade for snack, after which the children will enjoy a fun scavenger hunt in the museum and a game of Pictionary if there is time. Everyone goes home with a goody bag. Limited to 10 participants, 10% sibling discount.
Please note: All activities for this program take place in an art museum and an art studio, which are not spaces that can accommodate children that need to keep their bodies moving or have a hard time remembering not to do so in spaces with delicate artwork or art materials. We appreciate your understanding.
Register For ClassesChildren in Grades K-8 are invited to join us for a special Early Release program at the Danforth. For this session we will be painting beautiful dot patterned designs on large rocks to enjoy as a decoration or to leave out for others to enjoy during their walks. Danforth will provide popcorn and lemonade for snack, after which the children will enjoy a fun scavenger hunt in the museum and a game of Pictionary if there is time. Everyone goes home with a goody bag. Limited to 10 participants, 10% sibling discount.
Please note: All activities for this program take place in an art museum and an art studio, which are not spaces that can accommodate children that need to keep their bodies moving or have a hard time remembering not to do so in spaces with delicate artwork or art materials. We appreciate your understanding.
Register For Classes
Important Information for Children's Classes
Please see our student behavior expectations here.
Yes! Danforth provides everything students need to experiment with materials and practice techniques. Students learn to select from various sized brushes and types of paint, different types of drawing pencils and a variety of other drawing materials. Our studios are equipped with easels, stools, painting tables and specialized lighting to enhance the learning experience.
Although we understand this may be more convenient for you, it our policy not to permit children under 18 to leave the school unaccompanied. Please plan to come up to the school level to meet your child at the conclusion of class and thank you.
In our programs, we have noticed that mixed peer groups can often support learning as they approach lessons differently. Younger artists can emulate techniques of older artists, and the older students can appreciate the exuberance and fearlessness of the younger students. Our small class sizes allow instructors to provide individualized instruction to all our artists in the studio.
Not usually. Our classes maintain a portfolio of artwork which allows students to keep collect all process pieces such as sketches together with finished works. It also allows them to go back to revisit ideas or to keep working on pieces if needed over time.
Lessons in the Children’s Program at the Danforth are designed to build upon each other throughout the session, reinforcing concepts and techniques which allows for growth over the period of the class.
We hold an informal exhibition of artwork on the last class so that students can have practice experiencing showing their work, and discussing what they learned.
Yes! At some point during the session, teachers will take a “field trip” to the museum to view works on display. Students will often have the opportunity to sketch in the museum as they learn how to actively view artwork in a museum, and to think critically about what they see and notice. We emphasize visual literacy skills during these visits so that children learn how to understand techniques, genres, content, and the elements and principles of design which are the building blocks of art making.
We welcome any information about your child that helps us support their learning in the art studio and museum. Please email danforthartschool@framingham.edu and we will ensure the instructor is informed.
Teaching here is such a joy Angela Ackerman, instructor—Learn more about Angela
Donate to the Danforth — Your support helps fund exhibitions, programs and scholarships.
