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.)

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.
My child has been attending Art+ Academy for a year and also attended a summer camp session. He loves the classes and can’t wait to go each week (He’s 8, so that’s saying a lot). The kids learn so many art techniques and styles. The classes are serious art classes, but they accommodate all levels and allow the kids to express themselves as individual artists. Looking forward to year 2 there.
Best art academy in Austin! Monica, the owner is super sweet and very attentive. The best part about this art academy is that their classes are small so they are able to challenge each student individually. Highly recommend!
My daughter has gotten to experience two separate studio art teachers, not including the subs for makeup classes, and she’s truly enjoyed every one of them. Makeup classes are easy to schedule and classes aren’t too big. Each class keeps my daughter wanting more. So much so that my youngest wants to join when she turns five and we’ve already booked summer camps!
My daughter Vedika was in the 7-9 class for clay design and she had an absolute blast. Apart from just learning something new with great instructors, she just found the environment really friendly and fun which is all you can ask for a summer camp. She will definitely be heading back next year.
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.
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!
Art+Academy is a fantastic art school! I appreciate the ease & flexibility with the sign up process and to a make up a missed class. The owner is very responsive. My two kids (teen class & 9-12yo class) have been attending for several months and love their teachers. In fact, because of the class make up policy, my kids have met & learned from several teachers and all of them have been so kind, engaging and skilled! I’ve been impressed. All the teachers we’ve come across really care about the kids as people and as artists and my kids feel that respect and care. We’ve seen my kids’ skills (& art) improve with the constructive feedback from talented teachers.
The quick move by the Art Academy from in-person instruction to online classes was remarkably smooth and effective. At a time like this, we need the flexibility and creativity of organizations like the Art Academy. I am particularly please with the online help and guidance I have been receiving from Luz Marie, the instruction at the SouthWest Austin studio. It has been overall a very rewarding experience to work with Art Academy. I highly recommend this art school.
Camp was a fantastic experience…the students learned multiple techniques, enjoyed their time creating, and the teacher was positive and enthusiastic.
Art+Academy continues to be a creative haven for me. Rosemarie Goode continues to teach me and others in our class different mediums to use creatively. I have experience watercolour, pencil, pen, pastels, colored pencils and mixed media. Examples: colored pencils and watercolour; and watercolor and black pen. Rosemarie not only challenges me, but also the other students in the class. I enjoy the group so very much! I recommend this teacher and the Academy.
My 12 year old loved the summer camp. To the point that she’s asked to take classes at Art+Academy this new school year.
This is an Art Academy that teaches children and adult classes. Students have beginner to advanced knowledge in drawing and painting. There are several locations, great instructors and a goal to teach YOU to be a better artist. You will like it here!
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.
My daughter has taken art lessons for over a year and has thoroughly enjoyed her teachers and lessons. She is working on her portfolio for high school and it has been helpful to have the guidance at the studio. She also did a digital art camp and loved it.
We love Art Plus Academy. The summer camp is fun and diverse – utilizing all kinds of media and encouraging the kids to express themselves, focus and create! Instructors are excellent and so supportive. This is a great environment for kids of all ages and artistic talents.
I have two kids, who take classes at the South Austin location. They love it! The teachers are kind and patient. The kids enjoy the classes immensely and have grown as artists. We highly recommend Art+ Academy if your kids like art and want to learn how to be a better artist. It is a caring and encouraging environment. My favorite part is Gallery Day at the end of each year. You get to walk through and see EVERYONE’s art on display and leave notes on any that speak to you. It is so important for my kids to see their work on public display and receive positive feedback on the part of themselves they shared in a particular piece of art. It is the highlight of the year!
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.
Teachers are kind and welcoming, and my son has plenty of fun while learning how to paint. Thank you Art+ Northwest Austin!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Art+ Academy. I was in an adult class with Erin as my instructor, and I could not have been happier with the class, with Erin, and Monica, the owner, who has been very friendly and helpful. Before I took the class, I felt like I had very little talent for drawing, but as a result of both the way the class is set up and Erin’s method of instruction, I very quickly discovered that I did indeed have an aptitude for this method of artistic expression. I would never have discovered that aptitude on my own. So, if you are reluctant to sign up for a class because you feel like you might not have the necessary ability, let me assure you that such a concern should not prevent you from enrolling. You might very well find you have a hidden talent that simply needed the right environment in which to emerge.–Josh B, Austin, Texas
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.
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.
I have 2 children that attend here and both have really enjoyed the program. They look forward to class every week! They have both improved their art and are proud of their work. Teachers are wonderful and staff are always attentive which I appreciate!
My child has been attending Art+ Academy for a year and also attended a summer camp session. He loves the classes and can’t wait to go each week (He’s 8, so that’s saying a lot). The kids learn so many art techniques and styles. The classes are serious art classes, but they accommodate all levels and allow the kids to express themselves as individual artists. Looking forward to year 2 there.
My daughters have taken multiple classes at Art+ Academy and the teachers are just wonderful! My children have thrived there due to the small class-size and individual attention they have received. They always love going to art class!
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.
The socially distanced summer camps were perfect. Our child learned so much and enjoyed the small group “camps.” At the end of the week, we got to see the amazing art our child created. I appreciate all of work the staff did to ensure a clean, safe and fun learning environment.
I highly recommend Art +Academy. This is our third year with Art + Academy and I am very thankful for their professionalism, support, and personal approach toward my child future!
My three daughters have been taking art classes with Art+ Academy for a few years now – we had done a few summer camps in the past but then began with weekly virtual classes during the COVID pandemic, then moved to in-person classes at the Cedar Park studio the past couple years. My girls, now 14, 12, and 10 thoroughly enjoy their respective classes and the ability to work independently on projects that they personally select with the hands-on instruction from the teacher in the areas they individually need.
My kiddo loved her camp experience here. They got to draw and paint animals from around the world and all of the kids had such cute pictures to present. We will be back for sure!
My son loves drawing class there. Teacher is friendly, kids got on hands experience all the time.
Wonderful place for art classes! The teachers are talented and good at providing guidance. I would definitely recommend!
My daughter’s progress in art is phenomenal, she loves going to the academy. Her teacher is great!
My daughter has gotten to experience two separate studio art teachers, not including the subs for makeup classes, and she’s truly enjoyed every one of them. Makeup classes are easy to schedule and classes aren’t too big. Each class keeps my daughter wanting more. So much so that my youngest wants to join when she turns five and we’ve already booked summer camps!
My daughter joined a one week summer program here and had a lot of fun. She’s typically pretty nervous around big groups so the small class size was perfect for her. My wife and I really enjoyed the fact that the school invited parents to come view all of their hard work on the last day of class. My daughter is already asking to join another class so I know she had a great time. I would highly recommend Art Academy!
My 15-year-old absolutely loves coming here for art classes; it is definitely the highlight of her week! Her skills have definitely improved in the short time that she’s been attending, and her instructor Anne is absolutely wonderful, both as an instructor and as a person. If you’re considering enrolling here, I would definitely recommend you give this school a try. It’s like no other; you won’t be disappointed.
My experience attending adult classes at Art + Academy has been so helpful to reigniting my passion for artistic creation. It has shown me a path forward in my life that I thought would be left behind unfulfilled. My instructor Erin listens, observes and finds the ways to guide me not away from any one approach to my art but presents alternatives and/or source material that may serve me better.
My child has been attending the Art+Academy, Cedar Park, since December 2018. And more recently, he has been taking classes online. We couldn’t recommend the place enough. His teacher, Ms.Rosemarie is an absolute professional, she makes the lessons fun, interactive and something he looks forward to every week. She teaches them various techniques and artistic terms. Scheduling classes, make-up lessons is convenient, using the online portal. We love Art + Academy.
We were very pleased with the camp. Alee enjoyed it immensely. I appreciated the notes at the end of the day detailing what they had learned and the progress she made in a week in her drawings was noticeable. Well worth the fee! We would definitely take another camp! It was terrific! Thank-yoU!
My adult son, Mark, has enjoyed classes at Art + Academy for several years. He has a favorite teacher, Rose, who has helped him with both watercolor and acrylic painting. Their website is easy to use to sign up for classes. Payments can be automatic. Nice people are in charge. Following their rules is easy.
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!
We have had such a lovely experience here. Our daughter has jumped leaps and bounds with the amazing instruction she is getting!
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.

