Programs for children/youth

KCAI offers classes year-round for children (ages 6 to 11) and youth (ages 12 to 15).

Here's an interesting historical fact: Walt Disney, the famed animator, took Saturday classes at KCAI when he was a boy. They were his only formal training in art!

Check back frequently for schedule updates, or contact KCAI at 816-802-3505 or rkartman@kcai.edu.

Note: Youth age 16 and up are eligible to enroll in adult classes.

Spring 2010 classes

Summer 2010 program

Wondering about our classes? Here’s what children/youth and their parents had to say about our classes:

• “The instructor was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly.”
• “The teacher was awesome.”
• “[My daughter] had a great time. She was always excited to share her day.”
• “Encouraging teacher, great materials for artwork.”
• “[The teacher] spent time talking to each individual person about how to improve their drawing.”
• “Children [are] taught actual artist techniques and allowed to use real artist tools/supplies.”
• “We had a lot of fun and made new buddies!”
• “I have a new palette of things to do with my time.”
• “I liked that I got to make the things that I like.”
• “The teacher kept us motivated and the lessons were interesting.”
• “I was impressed with how smoothly everything ran. You were all exceptional."

Children/youth art certificate (ages 6 to 15)

Children or youth that complete five courses with us are eligible for the KCAI Artist in Training Certificate  Enrollment in the program is easy. Each student will track the classes they have taken and submit the completed form to the Continuing Education office at the main campus or Northland campus. We will verify your classes and then send you a certificate with our congratulations! Until April 2010, we will count classes taken during the fall 2008, spring 2009, summer 2009 as part of the certificate process, so get started today!

Certificate tracking form (pdf)

Spring 2010 classes 

6 to 8 years old

Multimedia Monets    XCPA 018-01-SP
Explore the world of painting and printmaking using a variety of different textures and methods. We will look to both our outside world and our inner imagination for our ideas. We will explore the world of line and color with paper, paint, collage and other drawing as well as found object materials. All materials provided.
Instructor: Katy Flatley
Date: 5 sessions, March 21 - April 25 (no class April 4)
Time: Sundays, 2 - 4 p.m.
Cost: $105         Enrollment limited to: 10
Location: Special Programs satellite classroom, 4301 Main, Ste. 14

9-11 years old

Acrylic Painting for Kids     XCPA 013-10-SP
This class is great opportunity for young artists to express themselves through the art of acrylic painting on canvas. Students will learn different techniques to create realistic scenes and abstract forms. One painting will be completed each week. All supplies provided.
Instructor: Charlie Mylie
Date: 4 sessions, March 27 - April 24 (no class on April 17)
Time: Saturdays, 2 - 4 p.m.
Cost: $95     Enrollment limited to: 10
Location: Special Programs satellite classroom, 4301 Main, Ste. 14

12-15 years old

The Great Inventors      XYMM 200-40-SP    NEW!
Think in new and different ways! Discover the great inventions of the past and create your own version of them in our imaginary future society. In the process we will create our own fashion, entertainment, tools, and machines based on what is a part of our world today. The class will use drawing, sculpture and video to accomplish these projects. Supplies included.
Instructor: Clayton Skidmore
Date: 4 sessions, April 11 - May 2
Time: Sundays, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $119    Enrollment limited to: 10
Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Summer 2010

Your imagination & our class — it’s a recipe for fun!

Each week of the Kansas City Art Institute’s summer art camps you will be encouraged to think and create in new and different ways. KCAI is Kansas City’s nationally recognized art and design college so you’ll learn from the best.  Join us for the morning, afternoon or stay with us all day! 

Each week, we’ll dive into the art world and create, create, create. The final half hour of each Friday class will be an exhibition for family and friends to come and see your masterpieces.

6-8 years old

9-11 years old

12-15 years old

Enroll Now

All classes are $119 for the week. Supervised noontime is priced separately at $39/week but is offered FREE for those signing up for morning and afternoon classes for the same week. All supplies are included except those listed for Digital Photography, Digital Art, Computer Animation and Digital Darkroom.

 

6-8 years old

Week 1: Art and Nature Drawing
Date/time: June 21 - 25, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR103
Nature is everywhere. You will work outside and in the classroom focusing on drawing techniques to express what you see from the small detail to sweeping landscapes.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 1: Art and Nature Painting
Date/time: June 21 - 25, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR105
Paint the world around you. Working outside and in the classroom, focusing on painting techniques, you will paint the natural environment using watercolor and tempera.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 2: Drawing Comics
Date/time: June 28 - July 2, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR107
Create your own comic book! You’ll learn how to do single cells, panels and ultimately your own story.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 2: Creating Comic Characters
Date/time: June 28 - July 2, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR109
Dive into the world of the cartoon artist. You’ll create your own cartoon characters and design every detail — how they look, what they are thinking, how their world works, etc., using paper, paint and sculpture.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 3: Art Soup
Date/time: July 5 - 9, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR111
Every day is different as we explore the wide world of art. You will mix in a little painting, some sculpture and drawing to create your art soup. Yum!
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 3: Stories in Clay
Date/time: July 5 - 9, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR113
Design and create pots, boxes and tiles that tell a story. Using the pinch, slab and coil methods of clay construction, you will create your pieces adding surface decorations and embellishments. Please note the Northland campus will use air-dried clay.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 4: The Whole Universe
Date/time: July 12 - 16, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR115
Think big! We will use the whole universe as our canvas to create art ideas. Each day our art making will focus on some piece of the universe.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 4: Under the Sea
Date/time: July 12 - 16, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR117
What’s under the sea? Come learn all about it, and create art that reflects the fantastic underwater world.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 5: Drawing Comics
Date/time: July 19 - 23, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR119
Create your own comic book! You’ll learn how to do single cells, panels and ultimately your own story.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 5: Creating Comic Characters
Date/time: July 19 - 23, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR121
Design cartoons just like the professional cartoonists do. Cartoonists create cartoon characters and design every detail — how they look, what they are thinking, how their world works, etc. Using paper, paint and sculpture we’ll do the same thing.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 6: All about Me
Date/time: July 26 - 30, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR123
Let’s create art that is all about you! Create a self-portrait, paint a life size picture, design what you’ll be in the future and more.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Week 6: Imagination Celebration
Date/time: July 26 - 30, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR125
Put those thinking caps on!  Every day we’ll use our imagination to create art. The emphasis will be on getting our creative juices flowing and thinking in new ways. We’ll use paint, markers, mixed media and sculpture.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 102

Supervised Noontime (offered each week)
For an additional cost we offer a supervised lunch period with activities. Students need to bring a non-perishable lunch and beverage each day. Cost: $39. This option is FREE for those students that sign up for the morning and afternoon sessions of the same week.

 

9-11 years old

Week 1: Art and Nature Drawing
Date/time: June 21 - 25, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR127
Nature is everywhere. You will work outside and in the classroom focusing on drawing techniques to express what you see using charcoal, pencil and colored pencils.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 1: Art and Nature Painting
Date/time: June 21 - 25, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR129
Paint the world around us. You will work plein air and in the classroom focusing on acrylic painting techniques to express what you see from the small detail to sweeping landscapes.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 2: Drawing Comics
Date/time: June 28 - July 2, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR131
Create your own comic book. You’ll learn how to do single cells, panels and ultimately your own story.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 2: Creating Comic Characters
Date/time: June 28 - July 2, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR133
Design cartoons just like the professional cartoonists. They create cartoon characters and design every detail — how they look, what they are thinking, how their world works, etc. Using paper, paint and sculpture we’ll do the same thing.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 3: Digital Photography
Date/time: July 5 - 9, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR135
Learn the basics of shooting good photographs. We’ll cover how to frame a shot, camera settings and more. Each day we’ll explore the campus and surrounding area taking photos. Your photos will then lead our discussions. Bring your own digital camera and the instruction manual.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 111

Week 3: Digital Darkroom
Date/time: July 5 - 9, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR137
With a digital photograph there is a lot you can do to change it in Photoshop. Learn how to crop photos, change colors, add details and collage photos. The options are endless. Bring a travel drive with three to five photos to the first class.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 111

Week 4: Ceramics: Fantasy Creatures and Monsters
Date/time: July 12 - 16, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR139
Get creative and make fantastic creatures out of clay! You will learn the basics of hand-building to make fanciful masks, vessels and tiles incorporating creatures and monsters. Please note the Northland campus will use air-dried clay.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 4: Drawing Anime
Date/time: July 12 - 16, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR141
If you love drawing anime, this is the class for you. Learn techniques to improve your drawings including draping, shading, action moves and more.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 5: Paper Pizzazz
Date/time: July 19 - 23, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR143
Paper can make so many different types of art, you’ll be amazed at all we do — papermaking, sun prints, pop ups and more.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 5: Fun with Charcoal and Pastel
Date/time: July 19 - 23, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR145
Take your drawings in a new direction.  Experiment with charcoal and brightly colored pastels.  You’ll learn new techniques in a fun environment.  Come ready to be inspired and to get a little messy!
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 6: Mix it Up
Date/time: July 26 - 30, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR147
Explore new and different ways to make art. In this class you’ll use your imagination to create and design in new ways. We’ll use sculpture, drawing and painting to make our creations.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Week 6: Sculpture Workshop
Date/time: July 26 - 30, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR149
Let’s work three dimensionally! We’ll explore a variety of materials as we learn to think spatially.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 114

Supervised Noontime (offered each week)
For an additional cost we offer a supervised lunch period with activities. Students need to bring a non-perishable lunch and beverage each day. Cost: $39. This option is FREE for those students that sign up for the morning and afternoon sessions of the same week.

 

12-15 years old

Week 1: Art and Nature Drawing
Date/time: June 21 - 25, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR151
Focus on the world around you. Using charcoal, conte crayon and pencil we will learn techniques to portray what we see.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Week 1: Art and Nature Painting
Date/time: June 21 - 25, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR153
Working plein air and in the classroom you’ll focus on painting techniques to express what you see. You’ll experiment with design, contour, line and form and see how different your works can be.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Week 2: Art and Nature Painting
Date/time: June 28 - July 2, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR155
Working plein air and in the classroom you’ll focus on painting techniques to express what you see. You’ll experiment with design, contour, line and form and see how different your works can be.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Week 2: Art and Nature Drawing
Date/time: June 28 - July 2, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR157
Focus on the world around you. Using charcoal, conte crayon and pencils we will portray what we see.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Week 3: Drawing Anime
Date/time: July 5 - 9, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR159
Learn how to draw anime and manga. We will create characters in the style of Japanese animation and comics, focusing on expression and proportions of face/body. Discover your individual style of anime/manga.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Week 3: Cartooning and Comics
Date/time: July 5 - 9, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR161
Cartooning is much more than drawing a character. Learn how to plan your story, design the details and get your comics moving.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Week 4: Digital Photography
Date/time: July 12 - 16, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR163
Learn the basics of shooting excellent photographs. We’ll cover how to frame a shot, camera settings and more. Each day we’ll explore the campus and surrounding area taking photos. Your photos will then lead our discussions. Bring your own digital camera and the instruction manual.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 111

Week 4: Digital Darkroom
Date/time: July 12 - 16, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR165
With a digital photograph there’s endless ways you can change it in Photoshop. Learn how to crop photos, change colors, add details, collage photos and more. Bring a travel drive with three to five photos to the first class.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 111

Week 5: Digital Art
Date/time: July 19 - 23, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR167
Digital art is the future for illustration and design. Draw and design with color, pattern and strong composition — all on your computer. Bring a travel drive to store your files.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 111

Week 5: Computer Animation
Date/time: July 19 - 23, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR169
Develop your own animation shorts. Explore the basics of animation and image editing software (AfterEFX, Flash and Photoshop). Bring a travel drive to take your animations home.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 111

Week 6: Figure Drawing
Date/time: July 26 - 30, 9:30 - noon
main campus: XCAR171
Expand your drawing skills by learning how to draw the human figure. Clothed models will pose for you to draw in charcoal and conte. Learn how to break down the human figure into its simplest form by using basic shapes and proportions.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Week 6: Drawing Faces
Date/time: July 26 - 30, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
main campus: XCAR173
Don’t be intimidated about drawing faces — we’ll show you how. Learn to break down the face into simple shapes, applying proportion rules, shading/highlights and working with flesh tones.
Cost: $119

Location: Irving Building, rm. 115

Supervised Noontime (offered each week)
For an additional cost we offer a supervised lunch period with activities. Students need to bring a non-perishable lunch and beverage each day. Cost: $39. This option is FREE for those students that sign up for the morning and afternoon sessions of the same week.