Art classes for Teenagers

Traditional & Digital Art Programs

Designed to Inspire Teenage Artists.

At ART + Academy, our teen art programs are designed to help young artists grow skills, confidence, and creative independence. We offer two distinct learning paths — Traditional Art Classes or Digital Art Classes — allowing students to choose the medium that best fits their interests and goals.

Across our Austin and Cedar Park locations, teens work on personalized projects at their own pace in a supportive, small-group setting. Rather than following a rigid curriculum, students receive individual guidance from professional instructors who help them strengthen technique while encouraging creative exploration.

Beginner-Friendly Approach

Teens new to art typically begin in our traditional art classes, where strong drawing skills form the foundation for all future learning. Using principles from Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Dr. Betty Edwards, students learn how to truly “see” what they draw.

They explore:

  • Contour and cross-contour lines

  • Perspective and negative space

  • Basic shading and value

As confidence grows, students deepen their skills through value studies, observation exercises, and shading with charcoal or pastels. Projects may include composition studies, still life, and master-inspired work, while also incorporating color theory and the use of watercolors and acrylic paints to support creative growth.
(See what can be learned.)

Digital Art Classes & Advanced Skill Development

For teens interested in digital illustration, ART+Academy offers dedicated digital art classes. Students work using digital tools (such as iPad and Procreate) while learning essential art concepts like composition, color, value, and design — all applied specifically to digital media.

For experienced students (traditional or digital), instructors begin with an assessment of skill level and goals, then guide students through projects that challenge their abilities and expand their portfolios. This focused approach helps teens develop confidence, refine technique, and grow creatively within their chosen medium.

Our Commitment to Quality

With small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios, every teen receives meaningful, personalized instruction. Our caring instructors provide timely feedback and encouragement, helping students see real progress over time.

✨ You can view that growth in our Before & After Gallery.
If a class is currently full, families are welcome to join the waitlist, and we’ll notify you as soon as a space becomes available.

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.

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 sometimes 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

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.

google

Fantastic teachers, right on task with age appropriate activities and always enriching the creativity. Going back this summer.

google

I’ve been taking art classes at Art + for six years. Every instructor has been great and can help anyone, from beginners to experienced artists (we have all levels in my adult class). It’s been great to see my artistic skills improve, as well as try new media. I really love that classes can be made up on a different day/location if you have to miss a class, which is great for those who are worried about their budget (and who isn’t?).

google

My daughter started going to Art Plus Academy few years ago and she is still attending. Each year her art is better than before. I am surprised each time she brings her art home. Teachers are great and we never had any issues. I would recommend them if you are looking for a nice place for you kid to learn and improve art skills.

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

Fantastic to have this school on south side of town. Teachers knowledgeable, caring and pleasant!

google

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

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.

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.

google

Excellent teachers and great classes. My 5 year old got to make new friends and enjoy a week of summer art camp with Ms Adria. We got to set up a nice shelf at home to display all the art she created at camp.

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.

google

Great place for developing your artistically inclined young ones.

google

I started art lessons in December in the three hours every Tuesday adult class which Monica was teaching. I have grown and learned so much! I basically started at zero, with a love for trying craft projects and doing artistic things without any real knowledge of drawing. I feel like Monica always intuitively knows what to draw my attention to and where to push me. I would recommend this class to anyone! We even had some subs in May when Monica had to be out and each of the teachers were highly knowledgeable and great at teaching. If you’re thinking about taking a class, just do it! You won’t regret it 🙂

google

Our daughter loves her lessons!

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

Our daughter attends Art+Academy. For three years under the tuition of Ms Erin, we share that our expectations have been exceeded. Erin was pivotal to our daughter’s admittance into a middle school fine arts program here in Austin. She earned our daughter’s trust. The respect and genuine friendship Erin exhibits towards her students gives them the space and time to develop confidence from within. Erin is an exceptional art teacher. Catch her if you can! PAINTING:: By Julia 10yrs old painted 2021 During this lesson Erin highlighted artist Kandinsky. He studied the relationship of music to art and how it affects emotion in your color and brushstroke. Erin played jazz music while the students painted 🙂

google

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

google

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.

google

We enrolled my daughter because she loves art but become so frustrated with “mistakes” that she wanted to quit. We decided to see a professional and since taking classes with Ms. Marlen she has been sooooo excited to draw and shes progressed soooo much. She enjoys it again and we will be coming back for years and years. HIGHLY Recommend

google

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.

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 paint, pastels, charcoal, ink, acrylic paint, and more.  

5.0
google

My kids did an online summer camp and loved it. Great alternative with social-distancing and we did it from Georgia! Great instruction, great content – 5 stars!

Shera Shrago June 23, 2020
google

We have had such a lovely experience here. Our daughter has jumped leaps and bounds with the amazing instruction she is getting!

Lacey Appleton August 6, 2024
google

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!

Krista Steffy October 12, 2023
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 five-year-old son loves doing art in his free time at school so I thought taking an art class would help him to continue to grow as an artist. I wish I was a better artist, and I think being knowledgeable about art will help him as he progresses in school. I signed my son up for an art class at Art + Academy, and he absolutely loves it. He has been taking lessons for about a year, and we are so impressed with what he has created and the variety of mediums he is encouraged to use. His teacher, Ms. Emma, is absolutely the BEST art teacher! She is so wonderful with children, and she is the reason why he has made so much progress. She creates her lessons based on my son’s interests (dinosaurs, birds, police cars, etc.) which makes each lesson extra fun and special for him. Each week, I take photos at the end of his lesson to show my husband, grandparents, and other family members. We are so impressed! We loved Gallery Day–my son was thrilled with all of the stickers (with handwritten positive comments) that he received on his artwork. We can’t say enough wonderful things about Art + Academy.

Coral Noonan July 6, 2018
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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!

Cari Cabaniss February 10, 2025
google

Fantastic teachers, right on task with age appropriate activities and always enriching the creativity. Going back this summer.

B G February 11, 2017
google

My son loves going here. He’s gotten so good with his art. He’s always loved drawing, painting, coloring and this has helped him be more confident with his artwork. Mrs. Marcia is great with the kids. They have great staff and great teachers.

Alex Juarez November 30, 2021
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

The personalized tutoring I received at Art Plus Academy helped me get into my top art school choice. To do this, I worked on a number of portfolio pieces (including still life drawings and drawings of nude models), and Monica gave me suggestions on how to refine and improve my work. She also recommended books to study and techniques to practice, all of which I learned a great deal from. Monica and her team are top notch art teachers. The prices they charge are a seriously good deal for your money (In fact, I would gladly pay double, the teachers here are that good). From what I saw while I was there, they are willing and able to help artists at any skill level. Usually classes are filled with both beginners and intermediate level artists, and artists of every age. I was impressed by the teacher’s ability to help all students improve. I am sure Monica can’t promise that you’ll get into an art college if you take classes with her, but I did, and I couldn’t be more thankful to her and her team.

Neil Fox September 22, 2015
google

Amazing art classes. My daughter loves her class and her progress is impressive. Teachers are so professional and nice with the kids.

google

My decision to take art classes at the Art Plus Academy was the best experience I could have hoped for. I am a children’s book author/illustrator and wanted to improve my skills, as I am self taught. I learned so much so quickly. The teachers are wonderful, and I loved my classmates. I looked forward to each weekly class and intend on signing up for ongoing classes. What a fun experience. I highly recommend this to anyone beginning or advanced. Really, really fun!

Lori Rolie May 18, 2017
google

During this course with Art+Academy I only have kind words and I must recommend it. In Art+Academy I had the opportunity to learn a lot about technics but also I learnt to use colours in my artworks. I enjoyed with watercolours!! and most important, I got one important goal to me!! Thank you Rosemary and Mónica.

Olga Rivas May 25, 2017
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

I’ve been taking art classes at Art + for six years. Every instructor has been great and can help anyone, from beginners to experienced artists (we have all levels in my adult class). It’s been great to see my artistic skills improve, as well as try new media. I really love that classes can be made up on a different day/location if you have to miss a class, which is great for those who are worried about their budget (and who isn’t?).

Sophie Harbert February 10, 2025
google

My daughter started going to Art Plus Academy few years ago and she is still attending. Each year her art is better than before. I am surprised each time she brings her art home. Teachers are great and we never had any issues. I would recommend them if you are looking for a nice place for you kid to learn and improve art skills.

Jovana Krsmanovic May 17, 2022
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

We enrolled my daughter because she loves art but become so frustrated with “mistakes” that she wanted to quit. We decided to see a professional and since taking classes with Ms. Marlen she has been sooooo excited to draw and shes progressed soooo much. She enjoys it again and we will be coming back for years and years. HIGHLY Recommend

Katy Fisher April 30, 2022
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 loves going into the studio, she has a great time during classes and has improved her art skills significantly during the past year. Ms. Macia is wonderful, she tailors the classes according to each students and manages to run a learning environment that is also fun.

eunchung cho August 14, 2024

Start
Today

We will prorate your tuition if you join mid-month.

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
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CEDAR PARK
ART+ Academy art school at Cedar Park
NORTHWEST
ART+ Academy at NW Austin. Art school
SOUTHWEST
ART+ Academy at SW Austin. Art school for kids, teens, adults and seniors.
ONLINE
Online art classes | Traditional or digital using Procreate