All Continuing Education Classes

Learn the foundations of metalworking and welding by transforming ideas, drawings, and designs into three dimensional metal objects.

In this introductory course, get a behind-the-scenes look at how contemporary illustrators create work for books, magazines, and online publications.

This introductory class is tailored to those who have never painted or have not used oil paints before and who are ready to take the plunge.

Screenprinting is a direct printmaking technique that builds images from layers of color and can be used to create everything from custom silkscreened T-shirts to one-of-a-kind posters and fine art prints.

This foundational survey course examines leadership through a creative lens. A key premise of this course is that we need the methodologies of artists and designers alongside those of scientists and entrepreneurs to undertake necessary transformational change and worldmaking.

Learn the basic elements of drawing, such as line, value, texture, and shape. Study perspective and build skills for the successful transference of three-dimensional observation to a two-dimensional picture plane.

Learn how to begin making abstract work and lean into developing an individualized, unique artistic style of painting and creating visual language.

This class focuses on the process of how to work on a full 32 page children's picture book manuscript.

Learn to work with watercolors from observation, photographs, and imagination to create translucent works using this versatile medium.

Explore the art of decorative lettering to make an impact on botanical themed creative projects.

Get lost in the details of the decorative elements of drawing and illustration. Focus on decorative illustration and its application in the professional illustration field.

Over the years the Procreate app has become more and more sophisticated and an industry standard for digital illustration and graphic design.

Explore the fundamentals of gesture drawing as a dynamic and expressive approach to capturing movement, energy, and form.

Learn the essentials of landscape painting while enjoying all that summer has to offer. Painting outdoors is a great way for artists to get out of the studio and reconnect with the natural environment.

Characters are essential to making a successful story. Students in this class observe and discuss ways in which artists and authors establish characters in visual media, including film, animation, comics, and games. Open to ages 15-18. (Summer term)

Learn the basics of digital illustration and practice using the drawing and painting tools in Adobe Photoshop. Open to ages 15-18. (Summer term)

Understanding the basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and knowing how to apply strategies effectively can have a noticeable impact on a business or organization's success.

In this fun and exciting workshop, use plant materials as stencils to create stunning one-of-a-kind images.

Explore the fascinating history of Alebrijes, Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures, and discover the symbolic significance behind these whimsical beings.

Have fun while learning the challenging skill of drawing from observation. Open to ages 12-15.

Learn fundamental creative artistic skills through sweet treat themed projects and exploring mixed-media. Open to ages 6-9.

This class provides a fun and exciting path to understanding the basic concepts, techniques, and materials used in contemporary acrylic painting. Open to ages 12-15.

This studio drawing class is designed to help students understand the components of the art school application portfolio, with focus on observational drawing. Open to ages 15-18.

This class focuses on the major of animation. Open to ages 15-18.

Learn the basics of hand-sewing as a way to create expressive and whimsical 2D and 3D artworks. Open to ages 9-12.

The visual arts provide creative entry points for the exploration of identity. From ancient times to now, and around the world, artists have shared stories and images of personal, familial and cultural identities. Through facilitated gallery tours and activities at the Minneapolis Institute of Art followed by art making at MCAD, gain the tools for designing lessons around the topic of identity that support State Standards in the Arts and Social Studies, including Ethnic Studies.

Explore the creative possibilities of digital art, inspired by traditional approaches and processes, with a special focus on different methods and techniques in Adobe Photoshop.

This workshop is geared towards adventurous individuals eager to explore new creative terrain and the art educator who wants to expand the way they think about drawing.

Step into the role of an architect and create blueprints, schematics, and models for breathtaking buildings. Open to ages 6-9.

Explore an expanded definition of comic artists to include everything from Egyptian hieroglyphics, to pioneer cartoonist Will Eisner, to autobiographic graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier. Open to ages 9-12.

Put your thinking cap on and become a problem solver in a class that encourages students to explore and innovate in a safe, inviting space. Learn and apply the Design Thinking process to design, develop and effectively prototype a product to solve a real world problem. Open to ages 9-12.

Create soft, squishy, cute and strange plushies. Learn the basics of sewing and turn two-dimensional design into three-dimensional soft sculptures. Open to ages 12-15.

Monotypes offer the artist the spontaneity of painting combined with the structure and deliberation of printmaking. The process is exciting for everyone from beginners to experienced artists.

Cyanotype, a photographic printing process that results in a cyan-blue print, is the perfect place to start an education in alternative (non-silver) photographic processes.

Students create characters, set designs and stories as they learn how to use a variety of materials, clay, paper, everyday objects and their own body, to tell a story. Students are guided through the use of iPads and video editing software to produce animation shorts while exploring frame by frame techniques. Open to ages 9-12.

Through projects, discussions, and lectures, acquire a thorough understanding of all aspects of digital illustration.

Learn the foundational principles and practices of graphic design, including color theory, typography, design history and contemporary applications within the design field.

Learn the expansive and inclusive practice of mixed media that allows young artists to investigate a wide variety of materials to create projects in both 2D and 3D forms. Open to ages 6-9.

Participate in an accessible and cross-cultural practice that has recently been revived as a contemporary art form.

Explore the major of graphic design through imagery, typography and creating meaning through the manipulation of visual elements. Open to ages 15-18.

Explore the basics of linocut carving, relief printing and color reduction printing.

Students create characters, set designs and stories as they learn how to use a variety of materials, clay, paper, everyday objects and their own body, to tell a story. Students are guided through the use of iPads and video editing software to produce animation shorts while exploring frame by frame techniques. Open to ages 9-12.

Because the outlines of the profession continually change, the graphic designer must know how to integrate an understanding of visual literacy with broad-based cultural knowledge.