Youth art education : children's art program, teen art program

Arts Benicia is committed to developing the next generation of artists.

Next Generation Exhibition ❧ Family Art Day ❧ STEAM Wheel in the Public Schools ❧ Youth Art Docent Tours ❧ Extended Learning Opportunity Program ❧ Teen Art Program

Arts Benicia provides hands-on youth and children’s art education through year-round programs such as Family Art Days, Art Exploration, STEAM Wheel in the public schools, Extended Learning Opportunity Program (formerly Arts Benicia After School) art classes, and the Teen Art Program. The Next Generation exhibition of student artwork is held in the spring every two years. For more information about these programs, call 707.747.0131 or email Arts Benicia at info@artsbenicia.org. Arts Benicia youth and children’s art programs are funded this year by grants from The Sato Foundation, Valero Benicia Refinery, California Arts Council, and the Wilson Family Foundation, as well as by gifts and support from many individuals, volunteers, art educators, and community members. We appreciate the generous support of these organizations and individuals.

If you are interested in these programs or volunteering for one of Arts Benicia Youth Art programs then please contact Emily@artsbenicia.org

Arts Benicia & The Benicia Unified School District present
STEAM Wheel classes

Arts Benicia provides visiting artists to Benicia’s four public elementary schools as part of the STEAM Wheel rotations for students in grades 3-5. The STEAM Wheel provides learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, math, critical thinking and the visual and performing arts, and involves community partners as presenters.

Learn more about STEAM classes

Also available: 4th Grade Art Classes

Basic art concepts are brought to 4th graders in the district with their Art Class. Students learn various techniques to render what they see, the basic shapes that make up shapes and how to give it dimension. Then taking the basics of light and shadows to create optical illusions with repetitive patterns and one point perspective. In a Product Design class, students sketch designs and put on their product tester hats to observe their creations and how it changes. They explore with various mediums: paper, clay, tooth picks, straws, glue etc. Each day starts with sharing what they learned and how they handle it and outcomes.

Learn more about our Youth Art Classes

Next Generation Exhibition

The Next Generation art exhibition features the artwork of children from the Benicia Unified School District, Kindergarten through High School.

Click here for more information on our upcoming Next Generation exhibition

Family Art Day

Family Art Days are Free and Open to the Public.

Inspired by the artwork in current gallery exhibitions, children and their families are invited to explore the creative world of art with hands-on projects that engage and educate. Family Art Days are offered one Sunday per exhibition during most exhibitions throughout the year. See our current schedule.

Youth Docent Tours

Arts Benicia’s trained docents will guide your group of students through current exhibitions and discuss artists, art work and concepts to encourage art appreciation and learn vocabulary on how to talk about art. A small art project may be offered in our classroom as well. Please contact emily@artsbenicia.org for questions and to find available dates. $5 per student.

Teen Art Program

Arts Benicia’s Teen Art Program (TAP) supports the artistic development of teens through a variety of programs, which include visiting artists in public schools, after school art clubs, and art classes in the Arts Benicia classroom. The program has three key goals: 1) art making and skill development, 2) apprenticeships with professional artists, and 3) mentoring and community service.

The TAP will encourage artistic exploration and development of technical skills in a variety of traditional and non-traditional 2-D and 3-D media through workshops taught by professional artists. To further develop artistic skills we will encourage and facilitate teen apprenticeship opportunities with professional artists.

The mentoring component of the TAP will involve training teens as gallery docents, art workshop leaders for Family Art Days, and for off-site community art projects.

Please contact Arts Benicia to register so that we may notify instructors, 707-747-0131. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Arts Benicia thanks The Sato Foundation, Valero Benicia Refinery, the Wilson Family Foundation, and California Arts Council for their support for Arts Benicia’s Teen Art Program.

Extended Learning Opportunity Program

During the Spring and Summer of 2022, Arts Benicia partnered with The Benicia Unified School District’s Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP). The afterschool program offered elementary school students a chance to explore the arts and develop new interests in a fun, supportive environment that encouraged creativity and provided opportunities to practice problem-solving skills. Classes are taught by experienced teaching artists. Inspired by STEAM guidelines, projects were designed to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving. Lessons included plenty of opportunities for creative expression.

ELOP is sponsored by The Benicia Unified School District.