In the Young Artists Program, Fleisher offers low-cost classes, primarily on Saturdays, for young people ages 5 to 18 designed to develop artistic skills, foster engagement with the arts, encourage self-expression, and build confidence as a creative person. Over 100 classes in a range of media are offered throughout the year, allowing children and youth to experience hands-on artmaking in a supportive and enriching environment.

Overview

The Young Artists Program is offered during the fall, winter, and spring terms. Currently enrolled students are provided a two-week priority registration period before registration is opened to the public. If you are a new family to the program, there is a required virtual orientation one week prior to the beginning of term.

Fleisher’s classes are designed to be age appropriate. Children must be at least 5 years old and in kindergarten before the beginning of the term for which they are registered.

Younger students (K-5th graders) are guided through three foundational media over the year: drawing and painting, mixed media, and sculpture. Older students (6th-12th graders) can select offerings unique to each term.

Registration & Term Dates

Fall Term: September 5 November 15* | View Schedule
Current Student Registration for Fall 2025: May 10 – May 17, 2025
Registration for Fall 2025 (open to the public): May 26 – August 29, 2025

*No class on Saturday, November 1 – join us for our annual Día de los Muertos celebration, instead!

 

Winter Term: January 10 – March 7
Current Student Registration for Winter 2026: November 8 – November 15, 2025

Registration for Winter 2026 (open to the public): November 24 – December 26, 2025

Saturday Program Information

The Saturday Young Artists Program has a tiered program fee. Alongside the non-refundable $65 base program fee, please considering paying an additional amount (up to $130 total) during the registration process. Opting to pay the higher program fee allows the program’s base fee to stay accessible to more Philadelphians. If cost is a barrier, please email cy@fleisher.org.

Please note: Students may only be enrolled in one class each term.

  • Mixed Media
    Students explore contemporary techniques and materials to create three-dimensional and two-dimensional pieces combining painting, drawing and sculpture. Formal elements of color and design are introduced at age-appropriate levels.

    Painting and Drawing
    Young people develop creative thinking processes while exploring a variety of drawing and painting techniques. Formal elements of color and design are introduced at age-appropriate levels.

    Sculpture
    Three-dimensional work allows young artists to expand their understanding of artistic concepts and techniques. In addition to learning about basic clay-construction techniques, students work with other both traditional and non-traditional art materials to create their sculptures, with opportunities to enhance their designs with ceramic glaze, paint, sequins, and more!

    Creativity Studio

    Choice is forefronted in this new learner-directed class, with the teaching artist providing material variety and project ideas based on student interests. Because of this, students who benefit from a smaller class size and specialized curriculum are encouraged to join! This offer is particularly well suited for neurodiverse students. If you have questions about whether this class would be a good fit for your student, please email cy@fleisher.org.
  • Classes for middle and high schoolers will change each term but will always explore the following mediums: 3-D Sculpture, Ceramics, Comics & Animation, Darkroom Photography, Fiber Arts, Mosaics, Painting, Printmaking, and Screenprinting. 

    Additionally, we offer an Independent Study class which provides students with faculty and studio support in order to help them actualize their own projects. This class is an excellent opportunity for students looking to develop their portfolios and/or work across various mediums. 

    All teen classes are two hours long from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

Weekday Program Information

Select classes for teen students are offered during the week. Weekday classes have a tiered program fee. Alongside the non-refundable $95 base program fee, please consider paying an additional amount (up to $190 total) during the registration process. Opting to pay the higher program fee allows the program’s base fee to stay accessible to more Philadelphians. Payment is due at the time of registration. If you need to pay with cash or check, select the Pay Later option during checkout. If cost is a barrier, please email cy@fleisher.org. Please note that these weekday offers are at a higher price point than our Saturday Young Artists Program due to the cost of the materials provided.

Registration Information

Registration for the Young Artists Program takes place in two parts. First, currently enrolled students register for the upcoming term. Once this registration period is complete, remaining seats are made available to new students.

 

To be notified when public registration begins, please complete the form here.

  • At the end of each term current students of the Young Artists Program have a two-week priority registration period for the coming term. Registration information will be sent out to enrolled families via email and families will be able to register directly using their ProClass login.

  • For new students, public registration will open for the coming term one week after the current term concludes. Remaining program seats will be filled first come, first served. To be notified when public registration begins, please complete the form here.

    Once registration opens, you will need to have a ProClass account with us to register.

  • Students enrolled in the following schools or participants in the following organizations receive priority status prior to public registration opening because of ongoing arts integration partnerships: Southwark School, Kirkbride School, Edwin M Stanton School, Francis Scott Key School, Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, Puentes de Salud, Juntos, and Vietlead. To ensure you receive your priority registration, please complete the form here.

  • For language or registration support, please email registration@fleisher.org or visit us during lobby hours.

     

    Registrations can be completed online with your ProClass account. For help setting up or accessing your ProClass account, please view this tutorial.

Caregiver Information

Please review the Caregiver Handbook in full before each term.

Support

The Young Artists Program is supported in part by:

  • Robert Lehman
  • Victory Foundation
  • The Weiss Family

  • For more information on how to support the Young Artists Program, read here.