Continuing Studies
Continuing Education Classes in Art and Design for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Continuing Studies classes for kids, teens and adults at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) provide the highest quality education in art and design, tailored exclusively for adults, including teachers; high school students in grades nine through 12; middle school students ages 10–13; and children ages 6–9. Our goal is to nurture and support life-long learning and the development of creative thought and practice in students of all ages. At SAIC we believe that having confidence in one's creative abilities plays a critical role in successfully meeting the unique challenges of today's world.
In our evening and weekend art courses, workshops, and certificate programs in Chicago and online, students experience the most up-to-date thinking in art, design, theory, and practice. We provide an environment where students can thrive and flourish while learning new professional skills, earning early college credit, seeking personal enrichment, or nurturing children's creative development.
Children's Multi-Arts Camps (Ages 6-9)
Combining creativity with fun, SAIC's summer art camps in Chicago's loop offer exciting projects and include daily visits to the Art Institute of Chicago museum. Kids learn to discover, explore, and imagine in their own unique ways, experimenting with a variety of art materials and methods that encourage the development of creative thinking and problem-solving skills. In our kids' art programs, each class has a new theme so students can enroll in multiple sessions.
Family Programs (Ages 4+ with Adult)
Family Programs at SAIC are truly a unique experience. Combining visits to our renowned Art Institute of Chicago museum with exciting studio-based explorations, this art making class for both kids and adults allows family members of different generations to bond, create, learn, and have a blast all at the same time. Recommended for children age 4–10 with at least one adult enrollee per family.
Middle School Programs (Ages 10-13)
Our art classes for Middle Schoolers are designed to allow students to focus on their interests, learn new skills, and bring their ideas to life. We offer course subjects and resources not available to young artists and creators anywhere else in the world, including Animation, Architecture, Comics, Painting, Sustainable Practices, Video Game Design, and more.
Early College Program (Ages 14-18)
Push your ideas, visions, and skillsets to new heights in SAIC's Early College Program! Join high school students from around the country and right here in Chicago for art and design courses taught by our renowned faculty. We offer teen art classes in Chicago and online!
Early College Program Summer Institute On-Campus (Ages 15-18, Earn College Credit)
Our intensive 1-, 2-, and 4- week Early College Program Summer Institute brings an extraordinary array of students from all over the world to SAIC to create portfolio quality artwork, make connections with our world-renowned faculty, experience SAIC’s amazing facilities, and earn college credit in our pre-college art classes. Campus housing is available in our state-of-the-art residence halls in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Early College Program Online Summer Institute (Ages 15-18, Earn College Credit)
Join an online art class with peers from around the globe to deepen your understanding of contemporary art making, create an art portfolio, and earn college credit in our Early College Program Online Summer Institute. Experience dynamic virtual demos, engage in group critiques, and receive the ideal blend of one-on-one meeting time with faculty and independent exploration.
Adult Continuing Education Art Courses and Art Certificate Programs (Ages 18+)
Engage in material exploration and learn new knowledge and skills- or refresh existing ones- in our Adult Continuing Education art and design courses or Art Certificate Programs in Chicago and online. Our evening and weekend classes allow you to produce work based on your personal research and interests.
Courses are available in a wide variety of subjects and media- from studio courses in Fashion Design to Painting to Creative Writing- to skill-based professional development courses in interior design, digital design programs including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, color theory, and more.
