Courses for Children and Youth

Spring 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.

Coming this winter:

For Families
Try a Side-by-Side course in which you and your child explore and make together.

For Children
We have painting, life drawing, drawing explorations and cartooning to deepen your child's observational and creative skills among an intimate group of peers.

For Youth
Life Drawing is an essential technical and observational skill recommended for any foundational studio programs and for those interested in pursuing careers in the creative arts.

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

Making Together

Side by Side ONLINE

Ages 2–3 with an Adult

Sundays 10:00am - 11:00am
March 28th - May 2nd
(Skipping Easter Weekend)

Instructor: Melissa Pauw

Members $190 / General Public $220 (5 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.

Materials List and week by week schedule coming soon.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online Courses.

Classes are subject to cancellation three days before the start of the course

Learn More

Mother and son working on art activities

Painting Together: Exploring Pop Art ONLINE

Ages 6 - 10 with an Adult

Saturdays May 8th - June 5th 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Instructor: Amanda Arcuri

Members $190 / General Public $220 (5 Weeks)

This 5 week course explores the playfulness and ideas of Pop Art. Pop Art draws from all the images and ideas that we see around us, including on the internet and TV. The artists who started the Pop Art Movement, including Claes Oldenburg, Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein, created fun artworks like giant hamburgers, stacks of soup cans and comic book style paintings. Students will create artworks that are inspired by familiar imagery or memes sourced from the internet, television and other forms.

Students to supply their own materials.

Materials List and week by week schedule coming soon.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online Courses.

Classes are subject to cancellation three days before the start of the course

Learn More

Side By Side Online

Ages 4-6 with an Adult

Saturdays 10:00am - 11:00am
May 8th - June 5th (5 weeks)

Instructor: Olia Mishchenko

Members $190 / General Public $220 (5 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.

Materials List and week by week schedule coming soon.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online Courses.

Classes are subject to cancellation three days before the start of the course

Learn More

Childrens' Courses

Drawing Explorations ONLINE

Ages 6–7

Saturdays 10:00am - 11:00am
March 27th - May 1st 2021

Instructor: Olia Mishchenko

Members $ / General Public $ (5 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.

Materials List and week by week schedule coming soon.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online Courses.

Classes are subject to cancellation three days before the start of the course

Learn More

instructor with student in life drawing class, model in background

Life Drawing ONLINE

Ages 8–10

Saturdays 3:30pm - 5:00pm
March 27th - May 1st (5 weeks)
(Skipping April 3rd for Easter)

Instructor: Jessie Jakumeit

Ages 11–13

Sundays 1pm - 2:30pm
March 28th - May 2nd (5 weeks)
(Skipping over April 4th for Easter)

Instructor: Heather Lapp

Ages 14–18

Sundays 3:30pm - 5:00pm
March 28th - May 2nd (5 weeks)
(Skipping over April 4th for Easter)

Instructor: Heather Lapp

Members $ General Public $ (5 weeks)

Using the AGO Collection as inspiration, children and youth are introduced to the fundamental skills and techniques of drawing objects and people. In this online course, students will work with different compositions, poses and perspectives on life drawing to explore different drawing techniques and materials.

Students to supply their own materials.

Materials List and week by week schedule coming soon.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online Courses.

Classes are subject to cancellation three days before the start of the course

Learn More

Cartooning ONLINE

Ages 7-10

Saturdays 1pm - 2:30pm
May 8 - June 5 (5 Weeks)

Ages 11-13

Saturdays 1pm - 2:30pm
March 27th - May 1st (5 Weeks, skipping over April 2nd for Easter)

Instructor: Dave Lapp

Members $ General Public $ (5 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.

Materials List and week by week schedule coming soon.

Terms and Conditions of Participation in Online Courses.

Classes are subject to cancellation three days before the start of the course

Learn More

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.

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