Youth & adult classes
Youth studio camps and classes
Taught by experienced art educators among the world’s greatest works of art, Nelson-Atkins classes teach young people how to foster and apply their creativity. Classes are designed for ranges of age and ability, with themes that promise to engage and enrich any student. All supplies are provided at no additional cost.
Art Explorer Members can register one week before the general public and all Members receive a 20% discount!
Youth Studio Camp
6-8
Yrs Old
Art Explorers (6-8)
Classroom 3
From ancient Egypt to Roman civilizations, explore the artwork that came before us! Students will create artwork inspired by the museum’s ancient art collection exploring printmaking and assemblage techniques.
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 23
End Date
Jul 25
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
9-12
Yrs Old
Clay Critters (9-12)
Classroom 7
Let’s find creatures at the Museum! From lions to camels to dragons there is inspiration around every corner. Students will use a slab hand-building technique to create their favorite critters! Supplies provided.
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 23
End Date
Jul 25
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
3-5
Yrs Old
Fantasy Friends (3-5)
Classroom 5
Young artists will explore galleries for ceramic animals and then create their own “wild” works in clay. Children should feel comfortable without a parent guardian.
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 23
End Date
Jul 25
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
13-16
Yrs Old
Powerful Prints (13-16)
Classroom 1
Inspired by such activist art in the collection as Kerry James Marshall’s Memento #5, students combine text, imagery, and screen printing to create large-scale illustrations that advocate for their cause of choice.
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 23
End Date
Jul 25
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
6-8
Yrs Old
Art Explorers (6-8)
Classroom 3
From ancient Egypt to Roman civilizations, explore the artwork that came before us! Students will create artwork inspired by the museum’s ancient art collection exploring printmaking and assemblage techniques.
3 Days | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 23
End Date
Jul 25
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
9-12
Yrs Old
Clay Critters (9-12)
Classroom 7
Let’s find creatures at the museum! From lions to camels to dragons there is inspiration around every corner. Students will use a slab hand-building technique to create their favorite critters! Supplies provided.
3 Days | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 23
End Date
Jul 25
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
3-5
Yrs Old
Fantasy Friends (3-5)
Classroom 5
Young artists will explore galleries for ceramic animals and then create their own “wild” works in clay. Children should feel comfortable without a parent guardian.
3 Days | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 23
End Date
Jul 25
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
9-12
Yrs Old
Dragons & Tombs (9-12)
Classroom 2
Galloping horses, powerful dragons and temperamental camels! Find out about these sculptures and other objects from ancient tombs as you investigate the Chinese galleries. Create drawings, paintings and prints of your discoveries.
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 30
End Date
Aug 01
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
13-16
Yrs Old
Fantastical Illustration 13-16
Classroom 1
After exploring mythical themes in the collection, students return to the classroom to create detailed fantasy illustrations using storytelling, mixed media, and advanced illustration techniques.
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 30
End Date
Aug 01
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Camp
3-5
Yrs Old
Mythical Monsters (3-5)
Classroom 5
Explore the galleries for mythical creatures and other friendly beings and then make your own! Children should feel comfortable without a parent guardian.
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 30
End Date
Aug 01
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Class
6-8
Yrs Old
Monsters to Mermaids (6-8)
Classroom 3
Embark on a journey through ancient artworks to uncover fantasy creatures, then breathe life into your own mythical beings in this captivating art class!
3 Days | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 30
End Date
Aug 01
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Class
3-4
Yrs Old
Color Lab (3-4)
Classroom 5
Discover the fantastic worlds of colors in the galleries, then create your colorful work of art! Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate for each age group. All supplies included.
Single Session | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Date
Aug 01
Public
$50
Members
$40
Youth Studio Class
5-6
Yrs Old
Color Lab (5-6)
Classroom 3
Discover the fantastic worlds of colors in the galleries, then create your colorful work of art! Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate for each age group. All supplies included.
Single Session | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Date
Aug 01
Public
$50
Members
$40
Youth Studio Class
7-9
Yrs Old
Color Lab (7-9)
Classroom 2
Discover the fantastic worlds of colors in the galleries, then create your colorful work of art! Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate for each age group. All supplies included.
Single Session | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Date
Aug 01
Public
$50
Members
$40
Youth Studio Class
10-12
Yrs Old
Maker Studio: Scrapbook zines
Classroom 1
Search the galleries for inspiration to add to your narrative zines, then experiment in the classrooms. Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate for each age group. All supplies included.
Single Session | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Date
Aug 01
Public
$50
Members
$40
Youth Studio Class
13-16
Yrs Old
Maker Studio: Scrapbook zines
Classroom 7
Students search the galleries for inspiration, then craft narrative zines based on what they find. Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate for each age group. All supplies included.
Single Session | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Date
Aug 01
Public
$50
Members
$40
Youth Studio Class
13-16
Yrs Old
Beyond the Frame 13-16
Classroom 7
Inspired by playful works of art in More is More, students learn to push conceptual boundaries to create reproductions of their designs using photography, printmaking, and mixed media.
4 Session Class | 90 Min.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Date
Sep 20
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Class
7-9
Yrs Old
Fancy Feast (7-9)
Classroom 2
After exploring the collection for artwork inspired by food, students return to the classroom to create sculptures of their favorite foods using mixed media, paper mache, and clay.
2 Session Class | 90 Min.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Date
Sep 20
Public
$75
Members
$60
Youth Studio Class
5-6
Yrs Old
Out of the Box (5-6)
Classroom 1
Inspired by Frank Stella’s minimalist and abstract expressionism, young artists learn the elements of line and design to create boundary-breaking geometric compositions. Young artists practice storytelling through lines then creates large geometric canvases to create a story with line, shapes, and colors.
3 Session Class | 90 Min.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Date
Sep 20
Public
$115
Members
$93
Youth Studio Class
3-5
Yrs Old
Start in Art (3-5)
Classroom 5
Nurture a child’s creativity! Young children explore art concepts by working with paint, collage, and clay. Visits to the galleries contain age-appropriate activities that allow students to see and talk about art as a group. Students should feel comfortable without a parent or guardian. Supplies provided.
6 Session Class | 90 Min.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Sep 20
Public
$228
Members
$183
Youth Studio Class
10-12
Yrs Old
Telling Tales (10-12)
Classroom 3
After exploring mythical themes in the exhibition Sages and Heros and the museum collection, students return to the classroom to create a fantastical graphic story using storytelling, mixed media, and advanced drawing techniques.
6 Session Class | 90 Min.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Sep 20
Public
$228
Members
$183
Youth Studio Class
7-9
Yrs Old
Fancy Feast (7-9)
Classroom 2
After exploring the collection for artwork inspired by food, students return to the classroom to create sculptures of their favorite foods using mixed media, paper mache, and clay.
2 Session Class | 90 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Date
Sep 20
Public
$75
Members
$60
Youth Studio Class
5-6
Yrs Old
Out of the Box (5-6)
Classroom 1
Inspired by Frank Stella’s minimalist and abstract expressionism, young artists learn the elements of line and design to create boundary-breaking geometric compositions. Young artists practice storytelling through lines then creates large geometric canvases to create a story with line, shapes, and colors.
3 Session Class | 90 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Date
Sep 20
Public
$115
Members
$93
Youth Studio Class
3-5
Yrs Old
Start in Art (3-5)
Classroom 5
Nurture a child’s creativity! Young children explore art concepts by working with paint, collage, and clay. Visits to the galleries contain age-appropriate activities that allow students to see and talk about art as a group. Students should feel comfortable without a parent or guardian. Supplies provided.
6 Session Class | 90 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Sep 20
Public
$228
Members
$183
Youth Studio Class
10-12
Yrs Old
Telling Tales (10-12)
Classroom 3
After exploring mythical themes in the exhibition Sages and Heros and the museum collection, students return to the classroom to create a fantastical graphic story using storytelling, mixed media, and advanced drawing techniques.
6 Session Class | 90 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Sep 20
Public
$228
Members
$183
Youth Studio Class
5-6
Yrs Old
Creature Feature (5-6)
Classroom 1
Inspired by mythical creatures in the exhibition Sages and Heros, young artists return to the classroom to create fantasy creations using painting and drawing techniques along with mixed media.
3 Session Class | 90 Min.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Oct 11
Public
$115
Members
$93
Youth Studio Class
7-9
Yrs Old
Myths & Monsters 7-9
Classroom 2
After exploring mythical themes in the exhibition Sages and Heros, young artists return to the classroom to create a fantastical graphic story using storytelling, mixed media, and advanced drawing techniques.
4 Session Class | 90 Min.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Oct 11
Public
$153
Members
$123
Youth Studio Class
5-6
Yrs Old
Creature Feature (5-6)
Classroom 1
Inspired by mythical creatures in the exhibition Sages and Heros, young artists return to the classroom to create fantasy creations using painting and drawing techniques along with mixed media.
3 Session Class | 90 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Oct 11
Public
$115
Members
$93
Youth Studio Class
7-9
Yrs Old
Myths & Monsters 7-9
Classroom 2
After exploring mythical themes in the exhibition Sages and Heros, young artists return to the classroom to create a fantastical graphic story using storytelling, mixed media, and advanced drawing techniques.
4 Session Class | 90 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Oct 11
Public
$153
Members
$123
Adult studio classes
Whether you’re just introducing art into your life or nurturing your creativity, adult studio classes offer a wide choice of subjects, media, and materials to study. Many classes are held on evenings and weekends, with schedules designed for working folks. All skill levels are welcome (unless a class is labeled as advanced) and all supplies are provided at no additional cost.
Art Explorer level Members can register one week before the general public and all Members receive a 20% discount!
Adult Studio Class
Drawing in the Park
Classroom 6
Be inspired by artists from the collection that painted outdoors or en plein aire! Learn many of the same techniques and apply them to your own creations! Participants will explore the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park to learn strategies for creating a composition, shading and drawing techniques, as well as creating sketches using watercolor and ink.
4 Session Class | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Date
Sep 18
Public
$203
Members
$163
Adult Studio Class
Better Drawings: Still Life
Classroom 4
Build upon the fundamentals of still life drawing by working directly from 3-D objects. Train your eye to better observe and while experimenting with value, line quality, contour, composition and other drawing basics.
5 Session Class | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Class will not meet 10/18Date
Sep 20
Public
$253
Members
$203
Adult Studio Class
Chinese Brush Painting
Classroom 6
Connect Chinese brush painting techniques with the spirit of storytelling. Reflect on life’s journey through expressive studies of traditional and symbolic elements from nature. Inspired by the exhibition Sages and Heroes, students will explore how brushwork becomes a visual language for conveying mood, memory, and meaning.
3 Session Class | 120 Min.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Date
Sep 27
Public
$153
Members
$123
Adult Studio Class
Gallery Sketch Class
Classroom 6
Spend time drawing in a different gallery in each class, then develop your sketches into finished works of art. Each standalone class explores a unique drawing technique. Join one or all sessions!
1 Session Class | 120 Min.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Date
Oct 02
Public
$50
Members
$40
Adult Studio Class
Gallery Sketch Class
Classroom 6
Spend time drawing in a different gallery in each class, then develop your sketches into finished works of art. Each standalone class explores a unique drawing technique. Join one or all sessions!
1 Session Class | 120 Min.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Date
Oct 16
Public
$50
Members
$40
Adult Studio Class
Autumn in Gouache
Classroom 6
Create vibrant and expressive Autumn scenes and foliage using gouache. Develop painting techniques in color mixing, blending, layering, and using different brush strokes to capture the textures and colors of fall leaves.
4 Session Class | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Date
Oct 23
Public
$203
Members
$163
Adult Studio Class
Gallery Sketch Class
Classroom 6
Spend time drawing in a different gallery in each class, then develop your sketches into finished works of art. Each standalone class explores a unique drawing technique. Join one or all sessions!
1 Session Class | 120 Min.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Date
Oct 23
Public
$50
Members
$40
Sold Out
Adult Studio Class
Into the Wild
Classroom 4
Embark on a creative adventure as you explore the untamed landscapes and dramatic narratives of the featured exhibition, Survival of the Fittest. Draw inspiration from the exhibition’s wilderness paintings to craft your own stylized Chine Colle prints. Learn the delicate art of layering paper and texture to bring your vision of nature’s resilience and beauty to life.
Single Session | 120 Min.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Date
Jul 25
Public
$53
Members
$43
Sold Out
Adult Studio Class
Continuous Line
Classroom 6
Experiment with the basics of drawing! Participants will explore types of drawing materials to use, how to transform shapes into 3-D by using value, crosshatching and blending techniques. In the galleries, discover blind contour techniques and develop observation skills to apply to your creations.
3 Session Class | 120 Min.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Start Date
Jul 30
End Date
Aug 01
Public
$153
Members
$123
Scholarships and discounts
Need-based scholarships
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for youth and adult studio classes. To apply, please complete the scholarship application form. If you have questions, please contact scholarships@nelson-atkins.org for more information.
Member discounts
Nelson-Atkins members receive a 20% discount on registration for youth and adult classes. Additionally, members at the Art Explorer level or higher get early access to class registration one week prior to when it opens to the public.
Enrollment
How to enroll
You may enroll in a class online (by clicking Register on any of the classes offered above) or by calling the museum at 816.751.1278.
Waiting lists
A waiting list is created for classes that have filled to capacity. If spaces become available, people on the waiting list will be notified in order. To be placed on a waiting list, please call 816.751.1278.
Switching to another class
If you’d like to transfer your enrollment from one class or workshop to another, you will be charged a $10 transfer fee per student and per class. To make changes to your enrollment, please contact our guest services team at 1art@nelson-atkins.org or 816.751.1278.
Cancellations and refunds
Refunds
If you cancel your enrollment more than five business days prior to the class or workshop, you will be refunded the enrollment fees. There is a $15 processing fee per enrollment for cancellations.
Credits for missed classes
We do not issue class credits toward future sessions.
Cancelled classes
The Nelson-Atkins will cancel classes that do not reach minimum enrollment. In those instances, all fees will be refunded 100%.
Attendance and artwork
What to wear
Some materials used in class cannot be washed out of clothes. We advise students to wear clothes that they’re comfortable getting messy.
Absences
If a student misses a class period, they cannot make up for that absence by attending another class. Students may only attend the class in which they are enrolled.
If students miss the final day of class, their artwork will be held at coat check and an email will be sent out with pick-up information.
Artwork pick-up and exhibitions
If you or your child has artwork to be picked up, you can collect it at the coat check desk in Bloch Lobby.
Sometimes, student art will be publicly displayed in the Ford Learning Center Student Gallery. In those cases, you will be notified by email when your or your child’s artwork is on display. If you haven’t heard from us yet, we’re still installing the exhibition.
Once the artwork is taken down, we will email you with instructions on how to collect it.