Art After School

Art After School is a grant-funded program that allows the Visual Arts Center of Richmond to deliver free art classes to young people in need. We work with public middle schools in the city of Richmond, as well as non-profits such as the Peter Paul Development Center and the Faison School for Autism, to deliver quality art instruction that lets kids, regardless of background, explore their creativity.

VisArts instructors teach the majority of Art After School classes in the professional-level studios at our facility, but approximately one third of Art After School classes happen on-site at partner schools. All classes meet twice a week and run for six weeks; in total, kids receive 20 hours of arts instruction from a dedicated artist educator.

Students who participate in Art After School gain experience working in mediums such as clay, metals, stained glass, digital arts, writing, drawing and painting, darkroom photography, animation, printmaking and fiber.

A popular project called “The Living Wall” brings kids together to create a mosaic mural that’s installed in a public space. Through this and other community-based projects, young people learn how art can inspire teamwork, community investment and empathy for others.

Questions about Art After School? Contact our director of education and programs.