The Art Academy 651 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN 55116

"I'd give them more stars if I could. This is art taught as the masters were taught. It is slow, a bit tedious and challenging but your skill will undoubtedly increase as long as you put in the work. This no quicky paint and sip that will leave you with a canned canvas at the end of the night. Nor is it Bob Ross or Sarah from Let's Make Art. Those things are the fast fashion of art classes. This is true study art. After the first term, which has a set progression of projects, you decide what direction or discipline you want next. While I am an adult learner the majority of their classes are for kids and teens, the methodology is adapted to be age appropriate. I cannot recommend The Art Academy enough."

"I love the philosophy at The Art Academy: anyone can draw or paint, it just takes teaching the proper skills and practice, which is exactly what we found at their classes. My 6YO and 8YO get excited every week to come to class and have taken away some great best practices in just a few short weeks. They are learning skills that will forever build their artistic confidence. Everyone at The Art Academy is extremely kind and welcoming. We can’t wait to sign up for more classes!"

"My 7 year old has not missed a session with The Art Academy since he turned age 5. He loves the format and gets so excited about his projects! It is a wonderful experience to have found instruction with a focus on quality over quantity, even with kids starting as young as Kindergarten."

"Myself and three of my children take classes at The Art Academy. The quality of the instruction is phenomenal. The program itself is the result of years of careful research into the history and technique of painting and drawing. The classes will give you a profound respect for the great masters, and the tools to imitate them. The teachers are warm and encouraging in helping you reach your artistic goals. I have highly recommend this school to my friends and family."

"I remember being 9 years old and rushing home from school with a brochure in hand, going through a brief persuasive speech in my head, so as to be sure that my parents would not turn me down when I begged them to let me take my first class at the Art Academy. On my first visit, I learned very quickly that these classes were completely worth every ounce of excitement I had running home from school that day and more. For 8 and a half more years (basically until I had graduated from high school and headed out of town for college) I spent lots of time at the Art Academy-From drawing and painting courses, to oil painting, and even cartooning and superhero classes... I was never disappointed with any class I had taken through the Academy. The format of instruction helped you learn to see space differently, it helped you learn great layout techniques, and all the basic fundamentals of how to make beautiful art. Teachers were very hands-on with each student and took careful note of everyone's progress. The style of classroom made it possible for everyone to go their own pace. I had an incredible amount of fun and I made great friends... Not only with the other students, but the wonderful owners and the well chosen staff they had hired. I've carried my experiences from the Art Academy every where I have gone and will continue to do so. This is an EXCELLENT program to put children of any age (5+) through. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering."