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Art Classes for kids 9-12

Drawing Skills

Engaging Art Lessons for Young Artists

Learning to draw is a lifelong asset. It gives children a powerful way to express emotions, beat boredom creatively, share ideas, and build joy, confidence, and self‑esteem. However, around age ten, many kids become self‑critical and stop drawing because they believe they “can’t do it.” Our program meets them at this turning point and shows them they absolutely can.

In our classes, students build skills step by step, improving their observation and using different drawing and painting media. As they progress, they gain the confidence to take on more complex projects.

3D Drawing Foundations

First, kids explore 12 core visual concepts—foreshortening, contour and cross‑contour lines, basic perspective, scale/size relationships, and more—to help their drawings read in 3D. 

Realistic Drawing Skills

Next, guided observation lessons inspired by Dr. Betty Edwards’ Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain teach children “how to see” shape, angle, and proportion. These realistic drawing exercises are introduced in intervals alongside 3D work to reinforce learning. (See before/after progress gallery.)

Explore Art Media

Finally, as skills grow, students experiment with additional media: charcoal, soft pastels, oil pastels, watercolor, tempera, and acrylic paint. This gradual expansion builds confidence, color awareness, and creative problem‑solving. (See what else can be learned.)

Before
After

What you get?

START ANYTIME.
Yes, you can enroll at any time, as long as there’s space available in the class. Additionally, we prorate your first month tuition  based on your start date. Likewise, if you join in the middle of a quarter, we’ll prorate the quarterly admin fee accordingly.

PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS
Also, all our teachers have a college degree in an art-related field.

SMALL CLASS SIZE
Specifically, we limit each class to a maximum of 8 students.

GALLERY DAY EVENT
Above all, every April, we celebrate our students’ progress with an art show we call “Gallery Day”. This event is open to all our enrolled students and their families & friends!

What if I miss a class?

We understand that occasionally things come up—unexpected events, travel, or illness—and you may need to miss a class. Not a problem! As long as you are enrolled, you can make up a missed classes by attending another class listed in our schedule at any of our locations.

However, keep in mind that there is absolutely no prorating or refund for missed classes. In addition, missed  classes cannot be used as class credit for the next session, other classes, or camps.

google

My 6 years old looks forward to her art class every week. Her teacher Ms Erin is an amazing teacher and my daughter has really enjoyed learning from her! I would definitely recommend Art + Academy to everyone who has interest in learning arts!…

google

Having an art class for adults that’s warm and friendly is very comforting. My instructor is very knowledgeable and helpful. I really look forward to my Friday class.

google

The team are very focused on individual learning needs. My 6 year old son always looks forward to his weekly lessons! Marlene is very kind and gentle with the children.

google

We have been attending art classes since my daughter was 5 years old. We have been to a few others, but have stayed at Art + Academy because it is the best. The teachers are very very focused on improvement but are also gentle and encouraging. We have been here for close to 2 years now and have attended a summer camp. We just love our teacher Marcia Breternitz! She is SO kind and very good at her craft.

google

My daughter really enjoys her art classes here. They are competitively priced, offer year long classes, lots of schedule options, and the teachers are wonderful. I love the makeup class policy too, it really allows you to get the most for your money.

google

I’ve been taking adult drawing/painting lessons for the past 3 years now. Every teacher I’ve met has been excellent, kind and very knowledgeable. The other students that I’ve met are also always very nice and wonderful people, and it’s great to be able to learn from other adults who are coming from different levels of experience. I just love this place

google

My 5 years old has been attending this art studio over 1 year and he really like it. The teachers have been so patience and personal with my 5 years old – he just turned 6. The studio provide all the materials and painting supplies that is a big plus. All we do was to drop him off and pick him up. We recommend this place to all parents!

google

My girls love ART+ Academy! Last fall, I put my daughters in the in-person ART+ classes and they loved it. They learned new techniques, they flourished, and they were so excited to show me their progress each week. Then in the spring, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, I turned to the online ART+ classes. Their teacher, Johanna Heilman, made the transition to virtual learning so easy at a time when my daughters needed the consistency, routine, and familiarity of their art classes the most. I now have them enrolled in the online summer ART camps and they couldn’t be happier.

google

My kids have been taking art lessons at this studio for five years. They practice their drawing skills while having fun playing with different art materials. The teachers are professional and passionate about teaching. My kids love their art teachers. The studio provides many time slots for each age group and a flexible make-up option so that the art lessons can easily fit into our schedule. The gallery day in the studio was one of the most exciting days for our family when we cheered for our kids’ progress in the past year. The studio also provided art lessons for adults. I took one year of art lessons at Art Plus Academy. They were very relaxing and satisfying.

google

Our daughter began attending Art + Academy last year as a kindergartner, and it quickly became her favorite extracurricular activity. We’ve explored various programs, but Art + Academy stood out for its ability to introduce her to new and creative drawing and painting techniques that she wouldn’t have tried on her own. We’re thrilled to start again next week after her summer break!

google

This camp was highly enjoyable and so much was learned. Johanna was a great instructor!

google

Art Academy SW has been a fantastic experience for our daughter. Her skills and confidence have increased especially in regards to shading, dimension, use of color and different media. Class sizes are small allowing for kids to remain focused and have some individual direction while working on projects. Mr. Matt is an outstanding and engaging instructor!

google

Art+Academy is an excellent art school. The teachers are professional and provide art instruction beyond what is taught in a public or private school. The owner responds to inquiries and is accommodating. At age 6, my granddaughter showed signs of artistic ability, but was shy around people and lacked the self-confidence to follow through with extra-curricular activities. Now at age 8, after 2 years of Art+Academy’s quality art instruction, she has identified herself as a good artist, shows an increased self-esteem, makes eye contact, converses with her peers and teachers, and shows no resistance to attend her art classes. Her finished pieces include various techniques, perspective drawing, and mixed media. Art Academy yields an outcome that is well worth the investment of time and money.

google

It’s a great place to express creativity and branch out to different types of art. My daughter learns and enjoys every class. I highly recommend it.

google

My daughter is an avid drawer who was not being challenged at her elementary school. We enrolled her in five-day drawing camp at Art + and she truly thrived. Her teacher, Ms. Marcia, imparted to the students an impressive variety of techniques in just a few days. Ms. Marcia really connected with the kids in the class both personally and in terms of instruction. In addition to formal art lessons, there were super fun breaks where the kids had a blast playing games. Each day my daughter came home filled with pride at her accomplishments and she would not let me see any of her work until the art show at the end of the week. It was a joy to see how much she had grown during her week with Ms. Marcia!

google

My daughter has been attending classes here for the past three years. She loves it! They have taught her so many techniques not available to her in the standard art class at school. She has grown as an artist and has developed confidence in her work. All of the teachers are knowledgeable and encouraging. It has been a wonderful experience for her and us!

google

I looked at several schools before settling on Art Plus Academy. The before and after pictures on the website gave me the push I needed to sign up for a class. I took an adult art class with Monica. I saw vast improvements in my sketches in a short time. Monica is an excellent teacher. Her passion for art and teaching comes across in every class. She genuinely cares about her students. When I was having a difficult time with one of the techniques, she sent me materials to look at so that I could improve my skill. She has built a wonderful community of students and teachers. Everyone I have come across has been encouraging, inclusive and friendly. I would highly recommend Art Plus Academy.

google

My son LOVED his art summer camp at Art + Academy! At the end of the week he kept telling me, “It’s not fair that art camp is only five days.” Anna was a great instructor for him. She gave him the creative freedom within the assignments that let him really shine, and she allowed him to take the time he needed to finish a project when the rest of the class had moved on to something new. When I picked my son up the first day, he gave me a play-by-play of the entire camp. I never get that much information when I pick him up from school or from any of his activities during the year. This was a first. It was wonderful to see him so excited. I loved how small the class was, and my son got to be friends with the other students in the camp.

google

My children have thoroughly enjoyed the art instruction they have found at Art + Academy. They love the in-person classes as well as the online offerings. Actually, the online art classes during this season of staying at home have been true gems! We have been so impressed with how the classes have translated to an online format. We highly recommend this local art instruction option!

google

Teachers are kind and welcoming, and my son has plenty of fun while learning how to paint. Thank you Art+ Northwest Austin!

Tuition & Fees

Your tuition provides four(4) consecutive weekly art classes. If you start in the middle of the month, we’ll simply prorate your tuition based on your registration date.

For Kids and Teen Classes, a quarterly admin fee applies in September, December, and March. We will also prorate the admin fee in you enroll in the middle of the quarter.

Materials

We provide all materials for kids and teen classes; you only need to bring your student.

Students will explore a wide range of materials, including watercolor, tempera, pastels, charcoal, ink, and more.  

5.0
google

My 6 years old looks forward to her art class every week. Her teacher Ms Erin is an amazing teacher and my daughter has really enjoyed learning from her! I would definitely recommend Art + Academy to everyone who has interest in learning arts!…

Chitra Tewari August 14, 2024
google

Our experience with Art Academy over the past two years has been absolutely fantastic! The teachers are not only great at what they do but also incredibly personable. My daughters have thoroughly enjoyed their time, and I appreciate the positive and nurturing environment that Art Academy provides. Highly recommend!

Theano Kazagli Wales January 20, 2024
google

So happy with this Art Academy, my 8 and now 9 year old girl has learned little by little how to use watercolors and tempera, as well as mix the colors and make it natural, this is her second year and from the first class in the group ages 9-12 I can see her learning new drawing techniques and painting as well. The teacher is so sweet and is constantly giving them feedback on what is good and what they should change. I appreciate her for this.

Verónica García September 6, 2023
google

Kids love this place and teachers. Much fun.

Shoupeng Tang August 14, 2024
google

We have been going for two years with the kids and the teachers are wonderful, the classes are small and peaceful. It’s a perfect place to learn art. Highly recommended.

Violet Stoyneva February 4, 2024
google

Art Plus Academy is not just a great place to learn how to draw, paint, and use other media. It’s teachers help you learn how to see the world in a different way. I’ve been taking classes there since 2018, and I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made. My artwork is just getting better and better. You can’t go wrong with the teachers here and the community and friends you will build and make with other students.

Kathy Thatcher February 7, 2025
google

This is my 3rd year to be in Rosemary’s class of adults. I was so excited to come back to class today, after summer vacation. Missed my art buddies! Last year I was doing landscape watercolor, sketching animals in pencil, a lot of landscapes in pen and watercolor in one picture..mixed media. I’m coming back ready to learn and experience whatever class presents. Rosemarie is a fabulous laid back artsy teacher with lots of knowledge and plenty of experience teaching all ages. Another plus is learning in a class with people who are doing different types of art….it is encouraging me to try different types. Come try it!

Rose Perry February 11, 2025
google

I very much enjoy my classes at ART + Academy, with a wonderfully talented teacher and a studio conducive to creativity and exploration of styles.

Darla Nelson August 6, 2024
google

My 5 year old loves this place and asks me this everyday: “is it art class today?” He takes his time with new situations and new people but was OK going to the classroom with the teacher and without me from the very first class. This was a first for any of the classes we have tried so far with him. It does help that he can see me through the large window separating the classroom from the parents’ room where I wait. All the teachers he has worked with so far have been great: Ms. Johanna, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Anna. They all encourage his creativity and independence while still guiding him with learning new art techniques and principles patiently, the perfect balance for him to be able to grow. There is an awesome art exhibition (I think every year) and my kid was so proud to have his art displayed there (especially since he is the youngest student at the SW location) with all of the other artists of all ages at the academy. The evening class timings during the week days have also been very convenient.

google

Both of my teenagers have taken art classes with Miss Marcia and they love her understated approach. She sets a relaxed tone that allows both of my children to take time to enjoy expressing themselves through art. The instruction is excellent, whether in-person or online, and we appreciated the end of session art galleries. Owner Monica is very conscientious in communicating via email, phone as needed, and has worked hard to make art accessible during the pandemic.

Beverly McClellan July 21, 2020
google

Art Plus Academy provides not only outstanding instruction, but also a unique sense of community. I’ve been taking lessons from Art Plus for the past five years – since I was a 6th grader – and have grown immensely as an artist. Every instructor I’ve worked with has been knowledgeable and talented, giving me the guidance to build strong foundational skills, but also the distance and autonomy I needed to develop my own artistic style. Aside from the valuable instruction I’ve received, I’ve joined something of a family at Art Plus. I highly recommend this community for all ages. Monica has created a very special institution, and I recommend taking part.

Riley Nelson June 11, 2016
google

My son LOVED his art summer camp at Art + Academy! At the end of the week he kept telling me, “It’s not fair that art camp is only five days.” Anna was a great instructor for him. She gave him the creative freedom within the assignments that let him really shine, and she allowed him to take the time he needed to finish a project when the rest of the class had moved on to something new. When I picked my son up the first day, he gave me a play-by-play of the entire camp. I never get that much information when I pick him up from school or from any of his activities during the year. This was a first. It was wonderful to see him so excited. I loved how small the class was, and my son got to be friends with the other students in the camp.

mee August 8, 2024
google

I am thrilled with the experience my daughter has had at Art+Academy under the guidance of teacher Marlene Llanes. Despite signing up towards the end of the school year, it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made. After just one class, she was brimming with inspiration and enthusiasm for drawing. She’d come home eager to recreate what she’d learned from Ms.Marlene, and I noticed a remarkable improvement in her drawing skills after just a few sessions. Now, she spends hours engrossed in her artwork, a stark contrast from the brief 10-15 minutes she used to spend. I appreciate the small class sizes at Art+Academy; it ensures that each student receives personalized attention from their teacher.The environment isn’t overcrowded, allowing everyone to have their own space to explore their creativity comfortably. Knowing that Art+Academy offers summer camps has us excited for the upcoming break. We can’t wait to see what other creative adventures await!

Kateryna Semenova May 10, 2024
google

My daughter goes here after school and she really loves it. She enjoys every sessions and learnt a lot. My husband and I are thrilled that we have found this school. The teachers are very talented, organized, and you can really tell that they really love teaching the kids. We highly recommend this place.

Jhen Subido August 15, 2019
google

I would recommend this service to anyone. I wanted to pursue a particular career, but was required to submit a portfolio to showcase my current aptitude and potential in artistic mediums. I was a bit lost on how and where to start, but Johanna helped me find my footing and put together something I am proud to submit with my application to school. Thank you so much for the guidance I needed!

Zachary Bonin November 1, 2021
google

My daughter attended Mr. Matt’s digital art camp. She had a wonderful experience and learned how to use her iPad in a new creative way. I appreciate the novel form of art this studio is offering young artists! Thank you Mr. Matt!

Christy Grawunder July 12, 2024
google

This camp was highly enjoyable and so much was learned. Johanna was a great instructor!

Jamie Weidemann June 16, 2024
google

Great place for my daughter to learn more art skill. Lovely studio, indoors and nice and cool. Instructor was wonderful and my daughter was proud of her work.

Joy Simonton July 17, 2018
google

I cannot say enough about Art + Academy and all the teachers! My 7 year old daughter started a year ago and she LOVES going each week. She is super active and loves sports, so this class allows her to explore her contemplative, quiet side. Her work amazes me….so much so that I, as an adult who has never taken an art class, enrolled in one. I think it is the greatest thing I have decided to do for myself! I love exploring this part of me I wasn’t aware of for so many years. I will definitely put my son in a class as soon as he is old enough. Don’t think twice about it. Enroll you or your kiddo. Well worth it!

Kasey Redus December 16, 2015
google

My daughter has been attending this place for more than a year now, and she absolutely adores it! Ms. Llanes is an incredible teacher, and my daughter has made significant progress under her guidance.

Cathy Z September 9, 2023

Start
Today

Tuition is prorated if you join mid-month, likewise, the quarterly admin fee is prorated if you start in the middle of a quarter.

Professional
Artists

Learn from professional artists who are also experienced, passionate educators.

SMALL
CLASSES

With a small class ratio (1:8), students explore their creativity with personalized attention.

Improve
your Skills

No matter your starting point, we help you build strong techniques and reach the next level.

Missed
a Class?

No problem! Make it up in another class as long as you're still enrolled.

Locally
Owned

Over 16 years of service since 2009 — fostering creativity and community growth.

Find Your Art Class

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Cedar Park · NW Austin · SW Austin
Ages 4 through adult
Current and upcoming sessions

Not sure which class fits? Call or text us →

Available classes for children 9-12
Select your location, age group, and session to see available classes.

CLASSES


CEDAR PARK
cedar
NORTHWEST
nw3
SOUTHWEST
sw
ONLINE
ONLINE

(512)-812-8070

Cedar Park

3621 E. Whitestone Blvd.
Suite 700.
Cedar Park TX 78613

Northwest

10401 Anderson Mill Rd
Suite 108-B
Austin, TX 78750

Southwest

5424 W US Hwy 290 Service Rd,
Suite 110
Austin, TX 78735

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