Whether you’re trying to make good on a New Year’s resolution or just looking for a new hobby, here are some of the best art classes for adults in the city.
Drawing/Painting
Aartwerk in Edgewater
City Cast Chicago executive producer Simone Alicea has been taking drawing and painting classes here for nearly two years and loves it. It’s a small studio, but that makes for intimate instruction and a tight community.
Ceramics
MADE Chicago in Bucktown
Why is getting into a pottery class in Chicago so hard? Luckily, this new studio has openings for wheel throwing and handbuilding classes that begin this week. MADE will also soon add woodworking and kids classes.
GnarWare Workshop in Pilsen
Play with clay during multi-week classes, one-day workshops, and day passes. There is a waitlist for the upcoming winter session, but you can watch “The Great Pottery Throw Down” for inspiration in the meantime ✨
Unique Visual Art Classes
Making It Sew Fun in Beverly
Over the course of six-week classes, the South Side sewing school teaches students everything from the basics to tailoring. Kids and teens can also join youth sewing clubs.
Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center in Rogers Park
For more than 10 years, CIADC has been teaching Chicagoans metal casting, metalworking, and woodworking. The Far North Side studio is committed to making its programs accessible: CIADC offers scholarships and CPS students in grades 6–12 can take free classes after school.
Who is trying to salsa dance their way into the new year? 💃 (COD Newsroom / Flickr)
Dance
Mayambo Dance Academy in Humboldt Park
The Afro-Latin dance company has salsa classes for every skill level — including a performance class for advanced dancers.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project in Calumet Heights, the Loop
Learn to tap, break, and step with CHRP at the Mayfair Arts Center or the Fine Arts Building. Many individual classes start at $12.
The Rooted Space in North Center
Whether you are a beginner or you’ve already got some moves, take ballet, jazz, and contemporary at the North Side studio.
Many famous alumni trained at Second City. (PoetishBookwormus / Wikimedia Commons)
Improv/Acting
Second City in Old Town
From John Belushi to Stephen Colbert, many actors and comedians have gotten their start at Second City. If you dream of making it on the big screen, take an acting or improv class at the famous training center. Second City also has courses on public speaking and writing.
The Revival in South Loop
Study traditional, longform, and hip-hop improv with the performing arts company. If signing up for a weekslong class sounds like too much of a commitment, consider attending drop-in improv on Friday nights.
Music
Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park
Want to learn guitar? Piano? The banjo? How to write a song? The 68-year-old music school has been teaching Chicagoans for decades.
Merit School of Music in West Loop, Near North, South Shore
If you’re interested in learning an instrument in a one-on-one setting, take a private lesson at the music school.
Plus, tons of studios offer a variety of classes like the Hyde Park Art Center, Bridgeport Art Center, and Lillstreet Art Center. You can also find classes through the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library.
Got a different New Year’s resolution? Check out our guides to book clubs, workouts, language lessons, and taking care of indoor plants.
