I’m excited to share these resources for getting your child started in art classes in the East Bay. We have attempted to paint with a broad brush and some of the mentioned studios offer traditional classes while others focus on drop-in creating or parties.
Thank you to our sponsor, Junior Center of Art And Science (JCAS), for underwriting this guide to art classes for kids in the East Bay. Located in the heart of Oakland on the shores of Lake Merritt, they harness the power of creativity and experiential learning to inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.
Art Studios with Classes for Children Under Age 5
Corner House Studio (Oakland)
This Montclair art studio offers classes for Little Makers, ages 4-5, and older kids, ages 6+. Offers classes, camps, and art party options. Website >
Messy Makers (Alameda)
Toddler-and-me art classes for ages 1-5. Meets once per week for 45 minutes; you choose the day. Gets messy — it’s in the name. Website >
MOCHA, Museum of Children’s Art (Oakland)
Offering Saturday open studio hours, frequent library drop-in classes at libraries in Oakland and Berkeley, art camps, and parties, MOCHA is a favorite of the 18-month-to-age-9 set. Website >
Piedmont Recreation Department (Piedmont)
Sign up for weekly creative art classes for ages 4+. Website, then click over to catalog >
Art Classes for Elementary-Age Kids (K through 5th)
Pro tip: I keep sharpened colored pencils and a small notebook in my child’s backpack so he can draw when the mood strikes him.
The Junior Center of Art and Science (Oakland)
Create and explore with the Junior Center after school and on weekends with teaching artists in a safe, creative environment. Classes are engaging, hands-on fun for young artists, makers, and inventors aged 6-13. Classes are small, student-centered experiences where youth can build skills, experiment, and connect with their creative selves. All JCAS classes are available on a sliding payment scale.
Find After-School Classes >
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3DMAKERCAMP (Oakland)
Wednesdays after school at Arthaus Studios, kids age 7-11 do digital arts, 3D printing, and STEM activities. 3DMC also offers camps. Website >
The ARTROOM (Lafayette)
Hosts classes in embroidery, wheel throwing, and other fine arts for ages 5-18 after school and on weekends. The ARTROOM also offers camps and parties. Website >
Albany Recreation Department (Albany)
Sign up for weekly creative art classes for ages 6+ with sewing, painting, and filmmaking on the menu. Website, then click over to catalog >
Brushstrokes Berkeley
Brushstrokes Studio offers parties, camps, and after-school classes in pottery, clay, glass, mosaics, and ceramic painting beginning at age 6. Website >
Corner House Studio (Oakland)
This Montclair art studio offers art foundation classes for kids ages 7-9 and hosts a pre-teen art club for ages 10-12. Find camps and art party options. Website >
The Crucible (Oakland)
The Crucible offers hands-on education in the industrial arts via workshops, classes, and camps starting at age 8. Ceramics, electronics, tin art, print-making, and woodworking begin at ages 8 to 11.
Website >
Esther Hearts Art (Oakland)
Esther offers after-school art clubs for K to 8 as well as kids’ night out, camps, and art parties. Website >
Kala Art Institute (Berkeley)
Kala Art Institute offers summer camps and after-school art programs for grades 1 to 5, with a teen studio for middle and high school. Website >
Kids ‘N’ Clay (Berkeley)
After school, homeschool, and Saturday wet clay programs (wheel throwing and hand-building) for kids 6 through 18. Website >
Piedmont Recreation Department (Piedmont)
Sign up for weekly creative art classes for 4-18+, including clay, crafts, drawing, sewing, knitting, and carpentry. Website, then click over to catalog >
Oakland Coders Club (Oakland)
Ages 7-12 practice digital art and animation alongside game development and more technical skills. Website >
Small Steps ART Studio (Oakland)
After-school art club for ages 4-11, crafting workshops, and summer camps. Website >
Studio One Art Center (Oakland)
Studio One offers some after-school artistic enrichment (K through 5), ceramics classes, and a few arty workshops. Website >
Sticky Art Lab (Berkeley)
After-school artistic childcare on Monday to Thursday with group activities, homework supervision, and lots of time for art exploration with upcycled materials for grades K to 5. Look for periodic open lab and family clay workshops. Website >
Art Studio Classes for Tweens and Teens
See the elementary-age section above for the many places that offer classes for youth up to age 18 and beyond. The Crucible is noteworthy for adding legitimate firepower to classes for older teens.
Berkeley Painting Club
Located in a Strawberry Park studio, after-school and weekend classes for middle school and high school students include comic drawing, zine-making, and mixed media, which includes painting, collaging, and print-making.
Find classes >
The Junior Center of Art and Science (Oakland)
Junior Center Saturday workshops and after-school classes for ages 12-17 vary in materials and theme. You might find costume design, carpentry, or life drawing. Check back often.
Find After-School Classes >
Find Saturday Classes >
Colorspace Arts Teen Studio (El Cerrito)
After-school and Saturday classes for preteens and teens to learn drawing, painting, journaling, collage and comics art.
Website >
The Crucible (Oakland)
The Crucible offers exciting industrial art programs for older kids and teens. 12 to 18-year-olds can begin glass flameworking, metal jewelry, welding, and gigantic kinetic sculptures. Once youth turn 14, they can begin blowing glass, TIG welding, and using power tools. Website >
Richmond Art Center (Richmond)
Register for weekly classes. Historically, ceramics, stop-motion animation, and drawing classes are offered to children ages 5 to 18+, but class schedules are updated regularly.
Website >
From drawing to cartooning, animation, sculpture, and collage, find wonderful studios hosting classes for budding artists. In addition to session-based classes, after-school programs, and seasonal camps, many studios host drop-in classes or private lessons.
Art studios and the artists who run them frequently change their offerings. Though this post is regularly fact-checked, please reach out directly to the class directors to find out current details. Drop a comment here so we can all learn from your efforts.
Thank you to our sponsor, Junior Center of Art and Science, for underwriting this guide to art classes for kids in the East Bay. For over 70 years the Junior Center of Art and Science has cultivated curiosity and creative exploration. Located in the heart of Oakland on the shores of Lake Merritt, they harness the power of creativity and experiential learning to inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.
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https://reachashland.org/ REACH Ashland Youth Center brings no-cost Recreation, Education, Arts, Career, and Health programs to empower youth ages 11 to 24 to San Leandro.