
Register for FREE Teen Programs at Hyde Park Art Center!
Winter Teen Programs start January 8th 2024.
Winter term enrollment for Teen Programs is open. Teen Programs provide access to free art materials, artistic and leadership skills, relationships with working artists, and tools for a foundation for their future. All courses will prepare you to build a portfolio, connect with professional artists in a variety of fields, and exhibit your artwork in the annual Teen Exhibition at HPAC.
Epstein Advanced Teen Track 2023-2024
Meets biweekly on Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30pm (January 9th – March 12th)
Instructor: Rhonda Wheatley; Muller Meeting Room
Led by Artist Rhonda Wheatley, this two-year intensive program is for dedicated teen artists in 2023-24. Epstein Advanced Teen Track is specifically for teens seeking to pursue art in college or as a career. The program pushes artists to develop skills through discussions and one-on-one mentoring with teaching artists, HPAC resident artists and staff. Teens will engage in studio and gallery visits, field trips, public presentations, and exhibitions. Epstein Advanced Teen Track artists receive a stipend to support their full participation.
*Participation includes occasional weekends and non-CPS attendance days throughout the academic year. This course does offer rolling admission.
This program is supported by the Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation.
Tuesdays starting Sept 26 – June 11th, biweekly 2023-24 from 4:30- 6:30p.
Youth Board of Artists
Meets weekly on Thursdays 4:30-6:30pm.
$150 stipend included with participation
Youth Board of Artists (YBA) is a program where teens are selected and paid to develop group projects, connect teens to the HPAC community, and represent the Art Center at public events.
This year, YBA participants will work to connect young people to HPAC’s art exhibitions, programming, and artist residencies by planning events of their choice. This group will meet over the span of 10 weeks in Winter term from January 11th – March 14th 2024. Accepted applicants are paid a $150 stipend at the end of each term for their work and participation. This program is by application only.
Application deadline is January 1st 2024.
Winter 2024 Teen Ceramics
Meets every Friday 4:30 – 6:30 (Jan 12th – March 15th)
Learn how to throw, hand build, glaze and SELL your ceramics artwork at Hyde Park Art Center art sales! This course is open to ceramicists of all levels, and provides up to five bags of clay for in class use. Masks are recommended when in the ceramics studio. Join the crew today! Rolling admission, first 15 applicants are accepted.
Fridays starting January 12th -March 15th 2024
4:30- 6:30p.
WINTER 2024 Music PROduction with ISPro Academy
Meets every Friday, 4:30- 6:30pm. (January 12th – March 15th 2024)
Thurow Digital Lab.
This program will educate students in music production, recording, and music business. Hosted by ISOPRO media, You’ll learn skills to make, produce, and promote your own music! Midi controllers are provided, along with training on the free web-based DAW BeatLabs, and Ableton. An application review is required to join. First 8 applicants accepted will be enrolled.
Fridays starting January 12th – March 15th 2024 4:30- 6:30p.
ARTSHOP - Visiting Artist Series
Meets every Friday, 4:30-6:30pm (January 12 – March 15th 2024)
Want to see ALL of what Hyde park Art Center has to offer? Do you want to enhance your art making skills and learn from real art professionals in the field? Then this series is for you! This edition of Artshop – Visiting Artist Series will allow for you to meet artists and professionals for workshops and one-day hands on activities. There is no need to enroll all you have to do is sign up for days you want to visit! Sign up for visiting artists series here!
Fridays starting January 12th – March 15th 4:30- 6:30p. Bring your friends!
WINTER 2024 Digital Illustration and Animation
Weekly on Mondays 4:30 – 6:30 (January 8th – March 11th 2024)
Work independently to create original, 2D animated content. Learn key foundational skills in digital illustration, animation, and film making. Learn how to use software such as: Toon Boom Harmony Advanced, Adobe: After Effects, Audition, Premiere Pro. No prior animation experience is necessary. Rolling admission, first 12 applicants are enrolled.
Mondays starting January 8th – March 11th 2024. 4:30- 6:30p.
WINTER 2024 Teen Photo
Meets every Wednesday, 4:30-6:30pm (January 10th – March 13th 2024)
Teen Photo is a great opportunity for you to explore and build photography skills in the field! Teen Photo will focus on street/outdoor photography, basic photography principles, and studio based shooting. Sponsored by Columbia College Chicago’s Photography Department, these courses are tuition-free, with cameras provided, and field trips that explore digital and darkroom photography techniques throughout the course. Rolling admission, first 15 applicants are enrolled.
The Guida Family Fund for Creativity made possible an upgrade to the digital equipment essential for Teen Photo and Advanced Photo Portfolio.
Wednesdays starting January 9th – March 12th 2024. 4:30- 6:30p.
WINTER 2024 Advanced Teen Photo Portfolio
Meets every Tuesday 5:30-7:00pm (January 9th – March 12th 2024)
Thurow Digital Lab
Offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters, this course is for students with intermediate to advanced photography skills, seeking to develop their work.
You’ll be exposed to a variety of photographic genres, styles and techniques throughout the course to help you broaden ideas of what a photographic portfolio can be. With advanced editing techniques, a focus on portfolio building, and consistent critique, this course seeks to propel participants into professional or collegiate photography.
PREREQUISITE: Participants must have already taken Teen Photography at Hyde Park Art Center (listed above). First 15 applicants are enrolled.
The Guida Family Fund for Creativity made possible an upgrade to the digital equipment essential for Teen Photo and Advanced Photo Portfolio.
Tuesdays starting January 12th – March 12th 2024. 5:30- 7:00p.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Teen Programs are always free! Once you’re enrolled in Teen Programs, you’re eligible to take a an Adult Programs class in our Oakman Clinton School & Studio, also free of charge.
To apply for an Adult Programs Class, contact Alex Herrera aherrera@hydeparkart.org.
In addition to financial aid, we also offer Open Arts Programs.
ART FOR EVERYONE! In community-supported programs, there’s no minimum required tuition to participate. We ask that students and families contribute what you can. Your contributions help support program costs such as teaching artists, supplies, and space. We thank you for contributing as generously as you can to this creative community!
Find our current community-supported program offerings here
Interested in volunteering or contributing in other ways? Let us know!
All supplies are included for our Teen Programs!
Fill out our interest form here
We will send you information regarding the upcoming Fall term with information from our course brochure, new student orientations, special teen events and reminders.
Follow our Instagram page @HPACteens
Fall 2023 begins Monday, September 25th and ends Friday, December 8th!
For our Oakman Clinton School & Studio Courses, we accept registrations online only. Participants enrolled in Teen Programs are eligible to take adult courses- Free of charge! Click here to register online.
Please contact Alex Herrera or Harley Reid for questions about registration.
Teen Programs are generously supported by:




