Art Classes

Sparking Young Minds Bring professional art instruction directly to your school. No travel, no logistics, just creativity in the classroom. Art Ignites is the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation’s in-school program, designed to fit seamlessly into your extracurricular offerings. We work directly with schools and parent advisory councils to build a program that’s right for your students, your space, and your schedule — whether that’s during school hours or after school. Custom-Built Programs Every program is designed specifically for your group. Tell us your grade level, class size, and goals, and we’ll put together a selection of options for you to choose from. We have experience working with all ages, from kindergarten to grade 12. Our Instructors Experienced, professional, and comfortable working with children of all ages, including students with special needs. All instructors hold current criminal record checks and we carry full liability insurance. We are happy to confirm coverage details and meet any requirements set out by your school or district. Class Structure We recommend an 8-week session with classes running 60–80 minutes each — enough time for students to dive in and create, without losing focus. Class sizes typically range from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 25 students depending on the space available. What We Teach Our classes are designed to be engaging, accessible, and fun with a curriculum that keeps students excited to create week after week. We work across a wide range of mediums, including watercolour, acrylics, pastels, paint pens, and inks, as well as mixed media techniques like collage. Students get hands-on experience with a variety of tools such as brushes, puffers, stencils, brayers, and more, building confidence and versatility as they explore. Subjects are equally varied: trees, flowers, butterflies, fish, underwater scenes, animals, people, landscapes, skies, cartoons, fantasy, and imaginative themes like dream collages. We also incorporate seasonal and thematic projects throughout the year, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Easter, etc., emotions and expressions, or celebrations, keeping the content timely and relevant. One of our guiding principles is a focus on abstract and expressive work. When there's no single "right" answer on the page, students stop comparing their work to others and start finding their own voice. It creates a more positive, inclusive environment where every student feels successful. Supplies & Logistics We bring everything. All art supplies are included in our program fee, so there’s nothing for your school to source or set up. Our fees are competitive and structured per student for the full session, contact us for a custom quote based on your group size and program. We also come prepared with our own first aid kit, a system for managing attendance and early dismissals, and we provide the school with a full registrant list. We respect your space and follow all school protocols, leaving rooms exactly as we found them. Working With Schools We work directly with schools and PACs rather than through the school board, keeping communication straight forward and the process simple. We’re experienced in navigating school schedules and flexible as details come together. Ready to bring Art Ignites to your school? Get in touch and we’ll start building something great together.