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Best Kids Art Classes In Los Angeles

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(credit: istockphoto)

For Southlanders, there are many excellent opportunities to expand your children's art education. Through art classes with professional instructors, kids and parents learn why art is an important part of a well-rounded education. These five best are classes that teach creativity and foster personal growth - it's art at its best.

lacma
(credit: LACMA)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers art classes for kids, teens and adults. The "inter-generational classes" are a family favorite for ages "5 to 105" where parents can share in the experience and watch as their children open up to the world of art. Grandparents and extended family often join in as well. Besides hands-on activities, discussions and tours of the museum provide a well-rounded course in the study of art in history and contemporary society. The museum also offers an art camp and classes for children aged six to nine as well as preteen classes for ages 10 to 13. These classes provide a comprehensive look at art where kids spend many hours, over several weeks, in an enriched learning environment. Shorter art programs are available as well and all classes are accessible for registration and payment through the website.

Related: Best Places For Kids' Summer Art Activities

zimmer children museum
(credit: Zimmer Museum)

Zimmer Children's Museum
6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 761-8984
www.zimmermuseum.org

The Zimmer Museum's mission is to spark a lifetime of creativity through learning art and go beyond art by seeking to develop the personal best in students. The instructors at the Museum are experienced in child development and art education and for them, it's a "learning lab" to develop children "in mind, body and spirit." The Zimmer Museum's latest program, Jugando Grande (playing big), is an example of its essential view of art education. This bilingual class uses the Reggio-Emilia approach to learning based on responsibility, respect, discovery and exploration. The Zimmer programs and exhibits exemplify the museum's drive to develop artistic skills in the child for "creating positive change."

purple twig
(credit: Samara C./Yelp)

Purple Twig
2038 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 254-8944
www.purpletwig.com

At the Purple Twig, kids learn art through the many mediums used by adult artists which is practically anything. By focusing on the process and the creative use of materials, children learn self-confidence and self-expression. The subject matter of each creation is drawn from interests that children commonly enjoy such as nature, space, fairy tales and science. Children as young as 22 months join in with the weekly ongoing classes as well. The instructors at the Purple Twig use the natural drive of creativity to build the important life skills of hand-eye coordination, problem solving, creative thinking, independence and more.

painting drawing kids children
(credit: istockphoto)

Kids Artistic Sense
2345 Pontius Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 351-6794
www.kidsartisticsense.org

Kids Artistic Sense is a child-centered program that operates from several venues in the greater Los Angeles area. This organization believes that every child is "intelligent, capable, curious and eager" to learn. Its "out-of-the-box" approach is all about teaching through art interpersonal skills with peers that will serve them well as adults. Parents share in the learning with several classes that foster "artistic and creative" expression. As the name implies, the programs develop the senses, both tactile and intellectual. The approach of inclusion allows parents to reinforce the learning as the years go by.

Related: Guide To Kid-Friendly Museums In Los Angeles

paintlab
(credit: Paint Lab)

Paint: Lab
1453 14th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 450-9200
www.paintlab.net

Kids, teens and adults learn the formal skills needed to become an accomplished painter at Paint: Lab. For kids and teens, classes are scheduled during early afternoons and weekends. While children learn the basics, teens are introduced to theory, mixing and painting techniques. Contemporary and classic art is examined for its creative value. Families are encouraged to participate on Sundays because the "family that paints together stays together." These programs are an excellent first step to a lifetime of artistic creativity.

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Robert Cuthbert is a freelance writer covering all things Los Angeles. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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