15 Fall Arts Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are in middle school and want to learn more about art, fall programs can be a good way to practice your skills while keeping up with school. These programs usually run from September to November and often take place on weekends or after classes, which makes them easier to join during the school year.
What will I do in a fall art program?
Fall art programs help you learn new techniques, understand how artists work, and start building a small portfolio. You might spend your time painting, sketching, sculpting, or studying the history of art. Many programs also connect you with teachers and mentors who can guide your progress and show you how to improve your work.
Because these programs are short and focused, they are often easier to manage and cost less than long summer programs. They let you explore art in a focused way and gain early experience that can help in high school or later college applications.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 fall art programs for middle school students!
15 Fall Arts Programs for Middle School Students
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost: Paid registration; 15% discount for family-level members, scholarships available
Application Deadline: August 29 (tentative, last day for registration or until slots are full)
Dates: Starts in September, runs once weekly for eight weeks (tentative)
Eligibility: Elementary and middle school ages (see course levels; 9–12 eligible)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Fall Children’s Classes take place once a week for eight weeks starting in September. You can join either in person at the museum or online. Classes are divided by age and focus on drawing, painting, and composition. You’ll also learn about art history by studying works from the museum’s collection. Experienced educators and teaching artists lead the sessions. Materials are provided for in-person students, and online students get a supply list. Class sizes are small to give each student individual attention and feedback.
Location: Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
Cost: Paid registration (typical class fee: $75)
Application Deadline: Registration classes open August 1 (tentative, varies by course)
Dates: September   –  October (tentative, varies by course)
Eligibility: Ages 6–14 (see listings for middle school age bands)
The Albuquerque Museum’s Museum School offers fall art classes for children ages 3 to 14, held after school or on weekends. Each class runs for six sessions, and you can register through the museum’s website. You’ll join a small group of students your age and work on sculpture, painting, mixed media, and printmaking projects. Teaching artists and educators guide you through each activity, often drawing inspiration from the museum’s exhibits and local culture. All materials are provided, and there’s a fee for each class.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid is available
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online research experience for middle school students who want to explore academic interests through a guided project. You’ll be matched with a mentor, often affiliated with top universities like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford, who helps you choose a topic, learn research methods, and develop your project step by step. As you work through the program, you’ll practice independent investigation, critical thinking, and experimentation. It all leads to a final project that reflects your learning and growth.
Location: Center for Gifted Education, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Cost: $125 per Saturday class (paid registration)
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration strongly encouraged before October 25
Dates: Starting October 25 for Saturday classes
Eligibility: Students by current grade level (Courses available for middle school grades)
The Saturday Enrichment Programs (SEP) at William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education offer single-day classes for middle school students interested in exploring subjects beyond their regular school curriculum. Courses cover a range of topics, including science, math, humanities, and art. You’ll take part in grade-level courses designed to support deeper learning and build critical thinking skills. Class sizes are kept small so instructors can provide more direct support. Once you’re registered, you’ll receive program updates and logistical information ahead of time.
Location: Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA
Cost: Paid registration (cost varies by course)
Application Deadline: Variable, based on session start (typically early September, tentative)
Dates: Start September 16 or 17 (tentative, varies by course)
Eligibility: Age-dependent, includes 11–13 (see listings)
The Worcester Art Museum’s Youth Fall Classes run weekly or biweekly for ages 3 to 17, including middle school students. You’ll join a small group based on your age and learn from local artists in the museum’s Higgins Education Wing. Classes focus on drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media through hands-on projects and short lessons that connect to the museum’s exhibitions and collection. All materials are provided, and you’ll work directly in spaces near the galleries. Classes are held after school or on weekends, and you’ll need to register in advance through the museum’s website.Â
Location: Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $600 per course
Application Deadline: September 19 (tentatively)
Dates: September 27   –  December 6 (tentatively)
Eligibility: Grades 6–8
Moore College of Art & Design’s Young Artists Workshop offers 10-week Saturday classes where you can learn painting, animation, fashion, and drawing. You’ll work on projects that help you build skills in figure drawing, character design, and digital art. Classes focus on observation, composition, and technique using materials like acrylics, charcoal, and digital tools. Some supplies are provided, and others you’ll bring from home to encourage independent work. Class sizes are small, so you get personal guidance and feedback from professional artists.
Location: Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA
Cost: $145 per student
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: First class starts September 27, every Saturday (tentatively)
Eligibility: Grades 3–9
At Penn State’s Saturday Art Program, you can attend weekly art classes focusing on foundational and experimental studio practices. You will work with traditional materials such as paint and ink while exploring modern media like digital collage. Each session covers a new topic such as printmaking or landscape design. The approach combines guided demonstrations with open-ended assignments. You will receive consistent feedback and have opportunities to display classwork at the museum.
Location: UHCL Art School, Houston, TX, with after-school and homeschool options
Cost: $120–$140 for 8 weeks, and $160 for 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified. Likely rolling until spots are full (tentatively)
Dates: Fall cohort from September   –  November (8 weeks, once weekly)
Eligibility: Open to students from kindergarten to 12 grade, covering grades 6–8
The Art School for Children at the University of Houston–Clear Lake offers weekly classes where you can learn drawing, painting, and 3D design using materials like watercolor, charcoal, and clay. Certified teachers, UHCL students, and the program’s director guide you through projects that explore cultural and contemporary themes. You’ll start with basic observational exercises and move on to more detailed compositions that strengthen visual decision-making and critical thinking. Classes are organized by grade level, so you learn with students your age. By the end, you’ll put together a small portfolio that highlights your best work.
Location: Davis Arts Center, Davis, CA
Application Deadline: October 14 (tentatively)
Dates: Fall months from September to November, each class has its own dates
Eligibility: Ages 6–18+. Classes offered for middle school age groups
Davis Arts Center’s Fall Youth Art Explorers Program offers hands-on classes and seasonal workshops where you can experiment with different art forms. You can join themed workshops like Model Magic Mania, Spooky Cemetariums, Paint and Spook, or Deceptive Desserts, each focusing on a unique technique or seasonal idea. The Art Explorers classes let you work with painting, printmaking, weaving, sketching, ceramics, and clay modeling. The fall session is divided into two parts and taught by professional art instructors in a studio environment. You’ll be grouped with students your age, and small class sizes ensure you get personal guidance. At the end, you’ll have a chance to display your finished work during family events.
Location: Parsons School of Design, New York, NY (on campus or online)
Cost: Paid ($605 + fees)
Application Deadline: October 10 (on campus), September 21 (online). Deadlines are tentative
Dates: October 4  –  December 13 (tentatively)
Eligibility: Grades 3–8 (including middle school grades 6–8)
Parsons Academy offers Saturday art and design classes in both in-person and online formats. You can explore subjects like fine arts, illustration, fashion design, interior design, and animation while building practical skills and creative ideas. Classes are taught by Parsons faculty and professional artists who guide you through projects that develop technique, concept, and original thinking. The program welcomes both beginners and experienced students. If you already have some background in art, you can focus on portfolio development to prepare for future studies.
Location: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Open registration, based on available time slots
Dates: Offered during the Fall months
Eligibility: Various workshops for students of all age groups, including some recommended for middle school students
The Hirshhorn Museum’s School Studio Program offers free 90-minute sessions that combine gallery exploration with hands-on artmaking. You’ll spend the first half of the session on a guided tour of the museum’s modern and contemporary art collection, studying works by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barbara Hepworth, and Mark Bradford. In the second half, you’ll move to the studio to create your own project inspired by what you’ve seen. Museum educators and teaching artists lead each session, helping you strengthen creativity, critical thinking, and visual understanding.
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost: Paid (tuition varies; members receive discounts). More info here
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment for Fall, classes on weekends. Enrollment is class-wise and currently ongoing with a focus on availability.
Dates: September   –  December (weekend classes, once weekly)
Eligibility: Ages 12–17 are welcome to participate
Teen Studio Art Classes at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston run weekly and are open to both beginners and experienced students. Each class has up to 12 participants to ensure focused guidance. You’ll explore drawing, painting, mixed media, and other visual arts through hands-on projects led by professional artists and educators. The museum’s global collections provide ideas for your work, helping you learn new techniques and ways to approach creative challenges. Classes emphasize observation, experimentation, and artistic growth in a supportive studio setting where you can develop your own style and confidence.
Location: Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $335 for 10 classes for youth and teens; Members' discount $300
Application Deadline: Rolling (starting September 27, tentatively)
Dates: September 27   –  December 13; September 28  –  December 14 (Saturdays and Sundays, tentatively)
Eligibility: Ages 6–18 (Middle school focus: ages 11–14 and 14–18)
The Brooklyn Museum’s Studio Art Program offers fall weekend classes where you can learn sculpture and painting in a hands-on studio setting. Each course runs for 10 sessions and ends with a student exhibition in the Education Gallery. In Sculpture: Build a Ruckus, you’ll create three-dimensional pieces using papier-mâché, paper, paste, and paint. The class draws inspiration from the Ruckus Manhattan exhibition and teaches how to build armatures, form structures, and paint detailed cityscapes. On Sundays, Painting: Portfolio Development helps you strengthen skills in color theory, brushwork, and composition. Guided by gallery visits, you’ll develop original works that can be added to your portfolio or used to refine your artistic style. Both new and experienced students can join.
Location: UTSA Southwest Campus, 300 Augusta, San Antonio, TX
Cost: $200
Application Deadline: Rolling, requires application, portfolio review, and interview
Dates: September 19   –  December 19 (tentatively)
Eligibility: Grades 6–8
UTSA’s Middle School Studio Intensive is a semester-long after-school program for students interested in developing their art skills in a focused studio setting. You’ll meet weekly on Friday afternoons and sometimes take part in weekend events. The program helps you build a portfolio and work on community-based art projects that connect creativity with real-world learning. You’ll explore different media and create a cohesive collection of work that supports your artistic and academic growth. Classes focus on critique, reflection, and collaboration while encouraging steady progress in your art practice. The program is part of UTSA’s Community Art Initiative and prepares you for deeper creative study.
Location: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $648 for fall and spring courses
Application Deadline: Not specified. More info here
Dates: October 4   –  December 13 (tentatively, weekly classes)
Eligibility: Ages 10–13
SAIC’s Middle School Program offers weekly fall and spring classes where you can study drawing, painting, fashion, animation, digital design, and sculpture. Faculty from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago guide you through hands-on projects that blend creative ideas with practical skills. You’ll experiment with different materials and techniques while learning to solve problems and express your ideas visually. Classes encourage exploration, innovation, and collaboration with other students. You’ll also visit the Art Institute of Chicago to study artworks that inspire your own projects.Â
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1–1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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