Children’s Museum of the Arts

Learn how to draw, paint and sculpt your way through time as you explore some of the most influential artists and movements in art history. Each week, you will be exposed to a different art movement, and work in the style of that time period. Explore form and symbolism found in Egyptian art, perspective works by Michelangelo and da Vinci, and pointillism used in paintings by Seurat. Finish this class with a collection of artwork that will stand the test of time.

This class will introduce you to the unique style of technicollaborative storytelling that has been fostered in the CMA Media Lab for six years. Media Lab programs extend up to age 15 and this class provides a great introduction to the world of animation and filmmaking.  You will explore how to create, develop, and narrate stories through various mixed media and hands-on art making projects. Experiment with character drawings, puppetry and sculpture, set building, sound recording and basic stop-motion animation. Films from Media Lab programs have been featured in the Tribeca Film Festival, Big Movies for Little Kids, and the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

This class will introduce you to the unique style of technicollaborative storytelling that has been fostered in the CMA Media Lab for six years. Media Lab programs extend up to age 15 and this class provides a great introduction to the world of animation and filmmaking.  You will explore how to create, develop, and narrate stories through various mixed media and hands-on art making projects. Experiment with character drawings, puppetry and sculpture, set building, sound recording and basic stop-motion animation. Films from Media Lab programs have been featured in the Tribeca Film Festival, Big Movies for Little Kids, and the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Take on the role of director as you explore the exciting process of filmmaking. From story development to post-production, teaching artists will lead the class through a collaborative process of script writing, storyboarding, character development, costume making, and performance. You will also try your hand at directing, cinematography, musical scoring and editing. During the process, you will be introduced to state-of-the-art filmmaking software such as Final Cut.

This foundations class introduces students to art fundamentals and techniques through exploration of notable, diverse artists as well as a range of art mediums in drawing and painting.  Through a series of different art projects including still life, landscapes, and portraiture, you will be exposed to the fundamentals of compositions, color, line, and more.

Hone your technical abilities in the timeless art forms of drawing and painting. Using CMA’s studio space, you will study the fundamentals of drawing and painting including color mixing, contour line drawing and observation work. You will also be introduced to professional-grade materials such as charcoal, graphite, pastels, watercolor and acrylic paints.  Studio classes will allow you to develop at your own skill level while gaining individual guidance from CMA teaching artists.

This class focuses on further developing technique and skill while encouraging you to develop a personal style. Using CMA’s studio space, you will build artistic talents in composition, perspective, shading, color theory, organizing a palette, and working from observation. You will master a deeper understanding of professional materials such as charcoal, conte crayon, gouache, and acrylic paints. Throughout the semester, you will be offered the opportunity to further develop your artistic style with the subject of your choice. Studio classes will allow you to develop at your own skill level while gaining individual guidance from CMA teaching artists.

Planning Ahead? In Spring 2013, we will offer Drawing & Sculpture in a similar format, providing for a year of art instruction designed to hone skills in the 3 major artistic mediums: drawing, painting, and sculpture.

In this class, you will be introduced to various techniques of stop motion animation including claymation, pixilation and paper cut-out. Under the guidance of teaching artists, you will use computers, cameras, iStopmotion software, and a variety of tools and materials to create abstract, narrative and experimental films.  You will work collaboratively on this series of short vignettes highlighting the different techniques learned in class.  Inspired by animated films such as Wallace and Grommit, Chicken Run, and A Nightmare Before Christmas, you will also have the opportunity to collaborate on hands-on art projects, character building, set design, and story development.

This visual arts class, taught exclusively in Japanese, explores the process of using both traditional and non-traditional art materials. Learn classic art making techniques such as origami and drawing as well as contemporary methods of installation and animation. You will receive your own sketchbook to use for independent brainstorming and sketching. The class will also collaborate on larger projects, including mixed media sculptures and large scale paper foldings.

For over 15 years, this class has taken an innovative approach to manipulating art materials. Teaching Artist Niizeki Hiromi has exhibited her installations with discarded materials in New York and Los Angeles.

This foundations class introduces you to art fundamentals and techniques by studying a diverse selection of notable artists as well as exposing you to a range of art mediums in drawing and sculpture. Through a series of different art projects including wire mobile, cardboard costumes, and portraiture, you will be exposed to the basic elements of form, line, color and more.

Hone your skills in drawing, painting and sculpture as you learn about some of the most influential artists and movements in art history. Each week, you will experiment with different fundamental elements of art making and develop a greater understanding of inspirational artists who worked in that medium. Explore symbolism found in Greek and Roman art, Impressionist works by Monet and Manet, and the effects of shading and light. Finish this class with a collection of artwork that will stand the test of time.

Inspired by fantastical directors like Tim Burton and Steven Spielberg, you will have the opportunity to capture your stories and imagination on film. Teaching artists will introduce you to the art of filmmaking, with tutorials in camera work, lighting and sound design. Collaborate with your classmates on short films in a variety of styles including narrative, documentary and experimental film.  Through this process, you will develop skills in writing, illustration, photography, directing, musical scoring and performance.

In this class, teaching artists will guide you through various techniques of creating, designing, and constructing kinetic sculptures such as puppets and robots. Add a level of complexity to your creations by learning mechanical and performance techniques in both traditional and contemporary styles. Taking inspiration from artists such as Jim Henson, Arthur Ganson and Theo Jansen, you will create stories and films that feature your unique sculptures. This class will also incorporate creative writing, illustration, sculpture, and performance.