John PerryWhen you’re looking for the best art class in Philadelphia, you have to consider what you want to learn.
Are you trying to nail down basic drawing skills or just looking for a relaxing pottery session? Or are you aiming for something more serious, like building a portfolio?
Whichever it is, Philadelphia has an incredible mix of creative spaces that cater to all these goals. I looked around the city to find studios that offer real value, expert teaching, and welcoming environments.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the top local spots to get your hands messy and learn something new.
How much does an art class cost in Philadelphia?
Casual art sessions in Philadelphia range between $8 and $50, while structured multi-week courses range from $100 to $500, depending on the medium and experience level.
| Class Type | Average Cost |
| Drop-in & Trial Sessions | $8 – $15 |
| Private Instruction | $10 – $40 per hour |
| Single Workshops | $30 – $50 per session |
| Multi-Week Courses | $200 – $300 |
1. Philly Art Center
Website: https://phillyartcenter.com
Address: 2333 Fairmount Avenue
Contact: 215-765-2787 | [email protected]
Schedule: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Saturday 9:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Finding the right art program is tough when you’re juggling local Philadelphia preschools and after-school activities. Well, what I like most about Philly Art Center is that it makes things easy!
For starters, they offer structured visual arts classes for everyone from infants to adults, backed by 20 years of experience.
My niece took their basic drawing course last fall, and her confidence really grew. Older crowds enjoy taking classes here, too, mostly because all the raw materials are built directly into the enrollment cost.
Plus, since the supplies are included, you won’t have to hunt down specific paints or brushes before your first day.
The only real downside is their strict cancellation policy for the youth programs, which doesn’t offer standard monetary refunds if your kid can’t finish the season.
Great experience all around
Great learning experience! I’ve only taken one course here, but I would definitely sign up for another in the future. The painting instructor, Kathleen Eastwood, was a wonderful teacher. I definitely walked away with some additional skills having completed the class. I found the studio itself to be cute and cozy. Great experience all around.
- Dave Malaca | Google Reviews
I had so much fun
My hubby and I found a deal on Groupon and last year we took a screen printing class for my birthday present. I had so much fun that this year I want to see if they have something else I can learn!
The instructor was very patient with us and explained everything perfectly. I learned how to make screen prints using freezer paper or drawing fluid and screen filler (we did not do photo emulsion).
I wish I brought more T-shirt’s instead of doing a bunch on paper so learn from my mistake. This is a great experience
- Jasmine Rosario | Google Reviews
2. Create – Sues Art Class
Website: https://suesartclass.com
Address: 2119 Spruce St
Contact: 215-292-5270 | [email protected]
Schedule: Contact for availability
Learning a new craft feels much easier when you get direct, individual attention. Create – Sues Art Class has operated as a private art institution for over 40 years now.
From what I’ve seen, they give students a highly personalized journey to meet their artistic goals. With their teaching method, they rely on an accessible problem-solving strategy, so you don’t need any prior natural talent to succeed.
They also run special craft-focused workshop events that completely differ from their standard weekly instruction.
Health and safety remain a massive priority here, as well. It’s fantastic to see how they keep the workspace totally private and germ-free.
The biggest drawback, however, involves their adult scheduling. Standard tracks for adult students are heavily restricted to weekday morning slots, making it incredibly tough for full-time workers to attend.
Environment where every child feels free to explore their creativity
We absolutely loved the Create Art afterschool class! My boys had such a wonderful experience — they came home excited, proud of their projects, and eager to show me everything they made. The instructor is not only incredibly talented but also patient, encouraging, and so good with kids. She creates such a warm, fun, and inspiring environment where every child feels free to explore their creativity.
- Shayna Walinsky | Google Reviews
The projects she does with kids are creative
Sue’s art classes are wonderful! The projects she does with kids are creative and really encourage children to use their imagination and spark creative juices. Some of my kids’ projects are framed and displayed in my house and guests are amazed they were made by my kids.
- Fern Billet | Google Reviews
3. The Arts League
Website: https://theartsleague.org
Address: 4226 Spruce St.
Contact: 215-382-7811 | [email protected]
Schedule: Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Stepping into a creative space should feel inspiring from the very first moment. The Arts League conducts art classes inside a beautiful, repurposed century-old Victorian home, offering an incredibly welcoming neighborhood vibe.
This contemporary hub champions cross-generational education with a variety of visual and performing arts programs.
I recently attended one of their beginner painting sessions, and the instructor made sure no one felt left behind. They even give students an entire extra seventh week of free open studio time to finish projects.
Just keep in mind that their structured after-school options carry narrow age limits. They only accept children between kindergarten and 5th grade.
On the bright side, I appreciate how they actively support the community by providing paid career guidance and gallery space to local creators.
High-quality instruction at an incredibly affordable price
UCAL offers really high-quality instruction at an incredibly affordable price! There are classes in all kinds of painting, drawing, illustration, dance and pottery. Best of all, they have excellent safety procedures in place to keep everyone safe and COVID-19 free! Everyone in the building wears masks, socially distances, and takes part in being considerate of the community. The adult art classes and workshops are very insightful, inspiring, and relaxing. Often, new friendships are found here, and the local Penn and Drexel graduate students add a ton of cross-disciplinary interests to class conversations.
- Ja G | Google Reviews
Balance between technical training and creative freedom
I recently completed an adult drawing class here with Jo Gamel. I loved the small class size and the balance between technical training and creative freedom. Masks and social distances are are practiced and class sizes are capped. When the weather allows we drew outside. Classes also available for children, illustration, pottery and painting for all levels.
- Rehana Odendaal | Google Reviews
4. Allens Lane Art Center
Website: https://allenslane.org
Address: 601 W Allens Ln
Contact: 215-248-0546 | [email protected]
Schedule: Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Community history often creates the most supportive environments for learning. Residents founded Allens Lane Art Center back in 1953 to intentionally confront systemic racism. That inclusive legacy remains the core of their mission today.
For over 30 years, they’ve run a specialized weekly sculpture curriculum called Vision Thru Art for visually impaired creators. This specific program is completely free, covering all materials and tuition for participants.
Beyond the studios, they host a diverse performing arts series blending music and theater. It feels similar to finding those rare community centers that bundle diverse activities, like offering great swimming lessons Philadelphia locals trust right next door.
The only thing I don’t like is their strict financial rules, as they flat-out refuse all refunds once a class starts.
The staff and teaching artists are outstanding
We are so fortunate to have a community arts center like ALAC right in our neighborhood! The staff and teaching artists are outstanding, and the environment is friendly and welcoming. I’ve been to many classes and programs there, and they always delight. Plus, you can pack a dinner and bring a bottle of wine to enjoy during the Live at the Lane productions! The ceramics and visual arts classes are excellent and offer something for all ages and abilities. And if you have younger children, the summer arts camp is outstanding.
- Susan Matyas | Google Reviews
great programs like a theater, an art gallery and plenty of great classes
I sent my grandson to the summer art camp and he loved it! They also have a wonderful pre-camp that starts early for young ones and kids who get out of school early. They also have other great programs like a theater, an art gallery and plenty of great classes. Highly recommended.
- Barbara Wallace | Google Reviews
5. Fleisher Art Memorial
Website: https://fleisher.org
Address: 719 Catharine St.
Contact: 215-922-3456 | [email protected]
Schedule: Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM | Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost is usually the biggest barrier preventing people from exploring their creative side. Fleisher Art Memorial overcomes this obstacle by offering fully tuition-free foundational art courses for adults of all experience levels.
Founded over a century ago, this institution preserves its mission of accessible instruction. They also host a brilliant, free drop-in after-school program dedicated entirely to teenagers.
It’s also notable how hundreds of younger children flow through their doors during the school year for tuition-free weekend classes. If you want smaller class sizes, they have paid advanced courses to expand on the basics.
However, the “free” aspect does come with a catch. You must purchase an active center membership before you can register for any of the tuition-free adult programs.
You’ll also have to pay mandatory, non-refundable studio fees depending on your chosen medium.
A community institution helping make art more accessible
Beyond our event-specific experiences, we also appreciated that Fleisher is a community institution helping make art more accessible. I even took a drawing class at Fleisher during the wedding planning process. Truly a hidden gem in the city of Philadelphia!
- Amanda Fowler | Google Reviews
So excited to keep taking classes at Fleisher
Hidden gem in Philly, so excited to keep taking classes at Fleisher, my 10 week class in the fall was a great way to meet a diverse group of people, as a young person who only recently moved to the city
- Anastasia B | Google Reviews
