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.
Although my 4 year old daughter hasn’t been attending the class for really long time, she already fall in love with the program. She love the teacher Dr. Marlene, going to drawing class on Saturday is her favorite activity for the whole week. Teacher is experienced and nice, knowing how to work with little kids. We are amazed with her progress almost every single time. Strongly recommended.
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.
ART+ Academy has brought me farther than I imagined in my drawing and I was just starting acrylic painting when the lockdown came. I missed my weekly classes with feedback and ideas on my project from my teacher, Luz Marie, and fellow classmates. However, ART + saved the day by quickly adapting in-person classes to online classes. Now I can still get my weekly instruction and stay motivated and inspired. Thank ART + for going to the extra mile
Our girls had a great time in Ms LuzMarie’s class. They created very cool art work they are proud of. Would recommend it!
I love learning at this studio. As an adult, the classes are just what I need. Monica (and all the teachers) meet each student where they are at. You bring your own project or thing you’d like to learn and they create a wonderful learning environment! 10/5 stars!
I very much enjoy my classes at ART + Academy, with a wonderfully talented teacher and a studio conducive to creativity and exploration of styles.
My son loves drawing class there. Teacher is friendly, kids got on hands experience all the time.
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!
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
I have been taking art classes at Art + Academy for almost three years. I’ve learned so much and loved every minute of it!! The instructors are all great—top notch!!
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 looks forward to her art class every week. There is always something new for her to do. She likes surrounding herself with teachers and other students that have a love for art as well. She will continue to grow and learn many things here. Do not hesitate to call and ask questions. Everyone is very friendly, nice and helpful.
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.
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!
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.
My 6 year old daughter started taking classes from Ms Macia this January, and the progress she made within just five months has been so impressive! She was able learn different ways of expressions and also started to develop an appreciation of art. The teacher is very professional. My daughter absolutely loves going to the art class each week!
Fantastic to have this school on south side of town. Teachers knowledgeable, caring and pleasant!
We have been going to the Art Academy for almost 3 years and we absolutely love it! Both of my kids are now enrolled and they both look forward to class each week. We could not be happier with our experience!
This place takes their job seriously and really does a great job teaching and immersing kids into their art. Great and fast communication when there is any sort of issue. They really try and accommodate any personal requests to make things work for the student and get them involved. I do find their rates slightly expensive, BUT they really deliver on the quality of their studio and lessons and we’ve really loved it!
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!
Although my 4 year old daughter hasn’t been attending the class for really long time, she already fall in love with the program. She love the teacher Dr. Marlene, going to drawing class on Saturday is her favorite activity for the whole week. Teacher is experienced and nice, knowing how to work with little kids. We are amazed with her progress almost every single time. Strongly recommended.
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.
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 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!
I love this school. My teacher, Rosemarie is excellent. She is an excellent artist in her own right but she is able to help each student achieve at their highest level. It is so cool to see a new student come into the classroom without any experience and be taught the basics and soon become an outstanding artist. I’m so proud of my classmates. I have attended 3 other schools. One just showed you a picture then took you one step at a time, showing you exactly what color of paint to use and how to do the painting. So all you were doing was copying someone else’s painting. I won’t say I didn’t learn anything there but I didn’t learn to express myself and do my own work. Each of the other classes had teachers who just ignored me. They had bonded with the other students and so it was kind of a little click and they didn’t want anyone else to join in. Also once the teacher admitted to not having had much experience with acrylic painting so he ignored me and I just had to paint what I wanted to paint. Rose primarily works in watercolors but she is able to teach each student in the class no matter what medium the student wants to work in. If the student is interested in learning about a new medium she does a great job of teaching the new medium. It is a beautiful experience to watch students learn new techniques and skills. I enjoy each class and look forward to the class each week.
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.
We have been going to this art studio for many years now. We love all the teachers and their methodology. Ms. Rose is especially wonderful! My kids learn much more than drawing and painting. They are more creative, have more discipline, and learn to see things though different perspectives outside the studio as well.
5 star review! My daughter can be tough to teach as she wants to do her own thing with drawing. She enjoyed the art camp with Ms. Erin! Ms. Erin has a great, relaxed way of teaching the kids but still allowing them to make artistic decisions. The art show was cool though not by kiddo’s cup of tea but a valuable experience for her. I have already recommended Art+Academy/Ms. Erin to friends. For anyone who is weighing options, I highly recommend Art Plus Academy. We will definitely be back next summer!
I have been taking art classes at Art + Academy for almost three years. I’ve learned so much and loved every minute of it!! The instructors are all great—top notch!!
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!
Love taking classes here. Class sizes are perfect and teacher is cool
Excellent place for art lessons
My daughter started last month with Ms. Morgan and she loves it so far. Morgan is a great teacher, very encouraging and spends personal time with student. She paid attention to my child interest and provided just right the amount of support while ensuring my daughter can be herself 🙂 thanks so much!
My daughter attends art+academy since 5years. And she loves it. The teacher is amazing and caring. She is flexible to adapt her teaching to each students. Thanks Ms Anna. I recommend them 100%.
I’ve been learning drawing and painting at this studio for over a year and a half, and it’s been amazing, thanks to our talented teacher, Rose. Her patience and dedication have really helped improve my skills. She’s encouraged me to go big on canvases, be bold with my strokes, and dive deep into my artistic expressions. I’m so grateful for her support in both my art and personal growth. The vibe here is great too—my classmates are super supportive and always lift you up when needed, and we all get inspired by each other’s work. I definitely recommend this place. You’ll love it here!
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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