Children's art classes currently enrolling for:
Note new age group structure. Our classes are now delivered in a wider age grouping to accommodate a lower elementary level and an upper elementary/middle level. In addition, we have modified classes to align with themes and artistic techniques demonstrated by the art on view in the museum galleries.
Membership discount—we are pleased to offer 5% off class cost to museum members. To purchase a membership click here
Parents, 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. Children will enjoy using cardboard tubes and boxes to create a castle for fairies, lords or any magical creature. We will even have a scavenger hunt in the museum! Includes pizza, lemonade and a treat to take home.
Register For ClassesWe invite children in Grades K-4 to join us at the Danforth for a workshop to enjoy the wonderful stories and illustrations found in children’s books. We will read Mice Skating and learn about how the illustrator uses artistic tricks to “explain” the story. Using a variety of fun materials, children will create an illustration of their own that brings the story to life as art. All art materials are included. Mice Skating is written by Annie Silvestro and illustrated by Teagan White.
Register For ClassesNo class on 4/18.
Join us for this fun drawing class which takes place both in the museum and the studio. Students will learn a variety of drawing techniques as they study artwork on display at the museum, practicing shading, different types of lines and how to look carefully in order to capture correct proportions and shapes. The instructor will explain how different types of pencils and materials can make drawings look very unique. Each student will go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of sketches and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 4/19.
In this fun experimental class, students will have the chance to play with paint in new ways. Using watercolor, acrylic paint, liquid watercolor and other paint media, the instructor will lead a series of lessons designed to allow students to get a new understanding of how to use paint to express different ideas as well as how to use paint to make realistic images. Students will go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of experiments and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 4/20.
In this fun experimental class, students will have the chance to play with paint in new ways. Using watercolor, acrylic paint, liquid watercolor and other paint media, the instructor will lead a series of lessons designed to allow students to get a new understanding of how to use paint to express different ideas as well as how to use paint to make realistic images. Students will go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of experiments and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 4/20.
Join us for this fun drawing class which takes place both in the museum and the studio. Students will learn a variety of drawing techniques as they study artwork on display at the museum, practicing shading, different types of lines and how to look carefully in order to capture correct proportions and shapes. The instructor will explain how different types of pencils and materials can make drawings look very unique. Each student will go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of sketches and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 4/15 and 5/27.
Join us for this fun drawing class which takes place both in the museum and the studio. Students will learn a variety of drawing techniques as they study artwork on display at the museum, practicing shading, different types of lines and how to look carefully in order to capture correct proportions and shapes. The instructor will explain how different types of pencils and materials can make drawings look very unique. Each student go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of sketches and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 4/15 and 5/27.
In this fun experimental class, students will have the chance to play with paint in new ways. Using watercolor, acrylic paint, liquid watercolor and other paint media, the instructor will lead a series of lessons designed to allow students to get a new understanding of how to use paint to express different ideas as well as how to use paint to make realistic images. Students will go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of experiments and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 4/15 and 5/27
Students will explore everything related to painting and drawing including techniques with acrylic and watercolor paint, various drawing pencils and charcoal, and how to combine various materials in one piece. They will look at contemporary examples to inspire exciting artwork of their own. All supplies included
Register For ClassesIn this innovative class, students will learn from selected artwork in the permanent collection of the Danforth Art Museum. Students will visit the museum galleries and learn about the techniques and methods used by the artists on view. The instructor will demonstrate the use of these techniques, then students will practice and create their own pieces inspired by the artwork they studied. Stretched canvas and all paint supplies included.
Register For ClassesThis intensive workshop will dive into the creatively rich work of comics and illustration. Develop a comic strip with your own characters, learn how to draw cartoon facial expressions, learn how to draw motion and settings. Become a visual storyteller, exercising your imagination and drawing skills.
Register For ClassesIn this two-day mixed media workshop, students will have fun exploring art materials while being inspired by Art in the Museum. Our workshops are designed to allow students to express their own ideas while learning a little about art and having fun with friends. There are two 3-hour classes each day with a 1-hour lunch break.
Register For ClassesIn this two-day mixed media workshop, students will have fun exploring art materials while being inspired by Art in the Museum. Our workshops are designed to allow students to express their own ideas while learning a little about art and having fun with friends. There are two 3-hour classes each day with a 1-hour lunch break.
Register For ClassesIn this two-day mixed media workshop, students will have fun exploring art materials while being inspired by Art in the Museum. Our workshops are designed to allow students to express their own ideas while learning a little about art and having fun with friends. There are two 3-hour classes each day with a 1-hour lunch break.
Register For ClassesIn this two-day mixed media workshop, students will have fun exploring art materials while being inspired by Art in the Museum. Our workshops are designed to allow students to express their own ideas while learning a little about art and having fun with friends. There are two 3-hour classes each day with a 1-hour lunch break.
Register For Classes
Important Information for Children's Classes
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.
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.
Teaching here is such a joy Angela Ackerman, instructor—Learn more about Angela
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