Courses for Children and Youth

Fall courses on sale now!

The AGO offers courses and workshops in a fun and supportive environment encouraging young artists (ages 2-18) the freedom to explore their potential, build confidence, and develop artmaking and critical thinking skills. Students have the unique opportunity to learn from Artist Instructors, who are dedicated educators and practicing studio artists. Our approach to art instruction is student led and focuses on traditional and contemporary artmaking techniques and concepts. This learning is supported by strong connections to artwork in the AGO Collection and special exhibitions.

Check out more of our family fun programming at the AGO.

Making Together

Side by Side ONLINE

Ages 2–3 with an Adult

Sundays 9:30am - 10:30am
October 25 - November 15

Sundays 9:30am - 10:30am
November 22 - Dec 13

Instructor: Melissa Pauw

Members $110 / General Public $130 (4 weeks)

Toddlers with an adult caregiver will focus on self-expression and discovery in an online course that combines art with play. Explore various sights, sounds and materials while your toddler develops motor skills and sensory awareness through age-appropriate art activities and story time too!

This class is programmed for 1 adult and 1 child to take together.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Side by Side ONLINE

Ages 4–6 with an Adult

Sundays 11 am – 12 pm
October 25 - November 15

Sundays 11am - 12pm
November 22 - Dec 13

Instructor: Jessie Jakumeit

Members $110.00 / General Public $130.00 (4 weeks)

Have fun getting creative, learning about the AGO collection, and making art alongside your young artist. In this online course, children with an adult caregiver will explore exciting artmaking techniques and learn how to reinvent art materials while working on individual and shared projects.

This class is programmed for 1 adult and 1 child to take together.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Painting Together: Exploring Abstract Art ONLINE

Ages 6 - 10 with an Adult

Sunday November 22 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Sunday November 29 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Sunday December 6 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Sunday December 13 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Instructor: Olia Mishchenko

Members $35 / General Public $50 (1 day)

Join us for a one-day online family workshop where children with an adult caregiver will explore artists and artworks in the AGO Collection and get inspired to create together. This fall, we're exploring the work of Canadian painter K.M Graham and creating abstract paintings full of rhythm and colour.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Childrens' Courses

Drawing Explorations ONLINE

Ages 6–7

Saturdays 9:30am – 10:30am
October 24 - November 14

Instructor: Olia Mishchenko

Members $160 / General Public $190 (4 weeks)

With the AGO's amazing collection as inspiration, young artists learn a variety of drawing techniques and skills. In this online course, we take concepts children love to explore - colour, light, form, texture - and build on them, encouraging exploration of drawing tools and materials both traditional and not so traditional.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Painting & Mixed Media Explorations ONLINE

Ages 6–7

Saturdays 9:30am – 10:30am
November 21 - December 12

Instructor: Olia Mishchenko

Members $160 / General Public $190 (4 weeks)

With the AGO’s amazing collection as inspiration, young artists learn a variety of painting and mixed media techniques and skills. In this online course, we take concepts children love to explore – colour, light, form, texture – and build on them, encouraging exploration of tools and materials both traditional and not so traditional.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Life Drawing ONLINE

Ages 8–10

Saturdays 1pm - 2:30pm
November 21 - December 12

Instructor: Heather Lapp

Ages 11–13

Sundays 1pm - 2:30pm
October 25 - November 15

Instructor: TBC

Members $170 General Public $200 (4 weeks)
*Includes model fee

Using the AGO Collection as inspiration, children are introduced to the fundamental skills and techniques of drawing. In this online course, students will work with a combination of still life and a clothed life model to explore different drawing techniques and materials.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Painting: Watercolour Explorations ONLINE

Ages 8–10

Saturdays 1pm - 2:30pm
October 24 - November 14

Instructor: Amanda Arcuri

Members $160 / General Public $190 (4 weeks)

Deep dive into the exciting world of watercolour in this online course! Students will experiment with watercolour painting techniques, both traditional and non-traditional, to create their own abstract, landscape and portrait paintings inspired by the works in the AGO’s collection.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Cartooning ONLINE

Ages 8–13

Saturdays 11am – 12:30pm
October 24 - November 14

Saturdays 11am - 12:30pm
November 21 - December 12

Instructor: Heather Lapp

Members $160 General Public $190 (4 weeks)

Students learn the art of drawing, storyboarding and character development, working on projects that can include storyboards, flip books, trading cards and collaborative comic book anthologies. Have fun while exploring this unique and playful art form in this online course.

Students to supply their own materials. Suggested material list will be provided.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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Youth Courses (ages 14-18)

Youth Studio: Painting Portraits ONLINE

Ages 14 – 18

Sundays 3pm – 5pm
November 22 - December 13

Instructor: Jessie Jakumeit

Members $160 / General Public $190 (4 weeks)

In the age of digital selfies we're going old school. Get inspired by portraits in the AGO gallery and paint self-portraits with a contemporary twist. In this online course, sharpen your portraiture skills by working from direct observation and experiment with a variety of acrylic painting techniques while capturing your unique style on canvas.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online and Outdoor Courses.

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View courses for Adults

Art Education Policies

Policies

Please read the following policies when you prepare your registration to AGO Education courses and camps.

Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis and is limited to space restrictions.
Advance registration is recommended for all programs.
Registration is confirmed only upon receipt of payment.
All registration is subject to availability.
All programs, prices and instructors are subject to change without notice.
The AGO has the right to remove students from classes. (remove if they are disruptive).

Withdrawals and Refunds

Courses

Refunds are available in full 5 days before the start of the first class, minus a $15 administration fee.
For all courses a withdrawal is allowed before the start of the second class, minus a $50 administration fee.
Withdrawals after the start of the second class are non-refundable.
One day workshops are non-refundable.
Absence does not constitute a withdrawal.
Courses are not transferable.
Withdrawal requests must be done by email through the Contact Centre at contactus@ago.ca.

Camps

Payment is due in full at time of registration.
Customers who withdraw more than 4 weeks prior to the start date of the camp program will be issued a full refund, minus a $30 administration fee.
Customers who withdraw less than 4 weeks, and more than 2 weeks prior to the start date of the camp program are eligible for a 50% refund minus a $30 administration fee.
Customers who withdraw less than 2 weeks prior to the start date of your child’s camp program, or after the start of the camp program are not eligible for a refund.
The above policy also applies to extended care and meal plan purchases.
Withdrawal requests for medical reasons require a doctor’s note and are considered on a case by case basis.
Absence does not constitute a withdrawal.
Transfer requests will be considered up to 5 business days prior to the start of a camp program and are subject to a $30 administration fee.
Withdrawal and transfer requests must be done by telephone through the Contact Centre at 416-979-6608.
A late fee of $25 will be charged for campers who not enrolled in Extended Care and are picked up at 4:20pm and later.
A late fee of $25 will be charged for campers who are picked up late from Extended Care, 5:35 pm and later.

Cancellation of Classes

To ensure that we are able to run your preferred classes, we recommend that you enroll at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the program.
In the event of course cancellation, registrants will be notified 3 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the course and a full refund will be given.

Accessibility

The AGO is committed to providing a welcoming and accessible destination and workplace. We embrace the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity to serve our visitors, staff and volunteers, and our community at large.

Read about our Commitment to Accessibility, our Customer Service Policies for visitors with disabilities, and our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.

Please let us know how we may assist you.

Scents

In consideration of those in the Gallery School who may have allergies and chemical sensitivities, please refrain from wearing cologne, perfume or other scented products.

Photography, Motion Picture, and Video Consent

Your registration ticket constitutes acknowledgement of willingness to appear in promotional photographs, motion pictures and videos taken in public areas of the Gallery and releases the Art Gallery of Ontario from liability resulting from use of such photographs, motion pictures or videos

Still have Questions?

Please email our Contact Centre contactus@ago.ca