Why After-School Art Classes Matter More Than You Think
After a long school day, it's tempting to head straight home. But there's something quietly powerful that happens when a child picks up a paintbrush or squishes a lump of clay in an after-school art studio, something that goes far beyond making pretty things.
What does after-school art actually do for kids?
After-school art classes are more than a creative outlet. Research consistently shows they support children's physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development in ways that complement and in some cases, outperform, other extracurricular activities.
The evidence is clear
Fine motor skills and academic performance
When children draw, paint, or sculpt, they're building the same hand muscles and coordination that underpin writing. A study published in the Early Childhood Education Journal (Cameron et al., 2012) found that children with strong fine motor skills performed significantly better in literacy and numeracy tasks. Art doesn't just produce artwork, it produces better learners.
Brain development
Engagement with creative activities has been shown to strengthen neural connections in the brain. Research cited by the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) in Australia links arts participation with higher-order thinking skills, improved reading and language development, and increased motivation to learn, outcomes that flow through into the classroom.
Emotional wellbeing and resilience
A 2023 evidence brief by the SBB Research Group found that structured arts programs improve children's self-confidence and their willingness to take creative risks. Meanwhile, broader research published in peer-reviewed journals has linked arts engagement with reduced anxiety and depression, higher resilience and self-esteem, and improved emotional regulation. These are skills that serve children well beyond school.
Social skills
Art classes give children a space to collaborate, share materials, give feedback, and work alongside others who have different ideas. Studies have found that participation in the arts is associated with increased prosocial behaviour and reduced bullying, a meaningful side effect of a Wednesday afternoon painting session.
A troubling trend in Australia
Despite all of this, Australian arts enrolments are falling. ACARA data shows that Year 12 arts enrolment dropped from 22.6% of boys and 37.5% of girls in 2011 to just 16.9% and 29.1% respectively by 2021. In Queensland, a media report using ACARA data revealed a 44% decline in arts subject enrolments between 2012 and 2022.
After-school art classes aren't a replacement for arts education in school but they can fill a widening gap.
What to look for in a good art class for kids
Not all classes are created equal. The best ones:
Focus on process over product, the journey matters more than the finished piece
Welcome children of all abilities, not just the "talented" ones
Are taught by qualified educators or practising artists
Keep group sizes small so each child gets attention
Encourage creative risk-taking rather than copying a template
10 of Australia's best art classes for kids and toddlers
Australia has a genuinely wonderful community of children's art educators, many of whom have built thriving studios out of a personal belief that creativity is essential. Here are ten worth knowing about:
1. Sydney Art School (NSW - Castle Hill, Hornsby, Epping) An Australian Government-accredited training organisation and NSW Creative Kids certified provider. Their "Mini Monet" classes for younger students are structured and progressively skill-building, with all tutors being tertiary-qualified professional artists. @sydneyartschool
2. Little Ginger Studio (Sydney - Randwick) A beloved Eastern Suburbs studio with 36,000+ Instagram followers, run by qualified primary teacher and art educator Danielle. Their philosophy is "process over product", messy, joyful, and all about exploration. Great for preschoolers and primary-aged kids alike. @littlegingerstudio
3. artKids Australia (Canberra) Founded by Robyn Thurecht, artKids operates from 12 school locations and a Turner studio, teaching close to 400 students per week. Their guiding principle, "There are no mistakes, only flopportunities!" sets the tone perfectly. They also offer artTots sessions for toddlers. @artkidsaustralia
4. Wild at Art Kids (Melbourne) Di's Melbourne studio is built around child-led art-making, where the children direct their own creative journeys. Small group classes for ages 5–17. A warm, inspiring space for budding young artists. @wildatartkids
5. Little Art Big Art (Melbourne - Altona North) Founded by artist, teacher, and art therapist Rachael Morris. Classes start from just 1 year of age, making it one of the most toddler-inclusive studios in Australia. The ethos is freedom, expression, and celebration. @littleartbigart
6. The Fun In Art (Melbourne West - Newport, Williamstown, Altona) Run by local mum Tegan in Melbourne's inner west, these relaxed art sessions are specifically designed for toddlers and their carers — a judgment-free, mess-welcome space to explore creativity together. @thefuninart_classes
7. Jellybeanstreet (Sydney and surrounding areas) Workshops for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers where children's wild brushstrokes are transformed into archival canvas prints for the home. A beautiful idea - and a keepsake that lasts. @jellybeanstreet
8. ArtistiCat (Online - Australia-wide) Founded by award-winning artist Jaq Grantford, ArtistiCat brings live art classes via Zoom to families across Australia and beyond. Drawing, painting, sculpting, and manga all at affordable after-school times that suit Australian families. The first class is free. @artisticat.art.classes
9. Paper Rock Scissors Art Studios (Sydney - Rozelle and Summer Hill) Operating since 2018, these two Inner West studios run after-school art classes for primary and high school students, with school holiday workshops that consistently sell out. A community favourite. @paperrockscissorsartstudios
10. Paint The Town Red (Tasmania - Launceston) A locally owned and operated Launceston gem, founded in 2019 by two experienced artists and teachers, Leigh and John. Leigh runs the children's art classes each term, covering painting across a range of styles, while John brings pottery and clay into the mix giving kids a wonderfully tactile creative experience. Their philosophy says it all: "Art for everyone." Weekly after-school classes, school holiday programs, and all materials included. @paintthetownredlaunceston
The real reason it matters
Art gives children a language for things they can't yet say in words. It teaches them that effort has value, that there is more than one right answer, and that something made from nothing is something to be proud of.
In a world that increasingly values measurable outcomes, art offers something different, a reminder that the process itself is the point. That exploration, mess, and joyful imperfection are not just acceptable, but essential.
After-school art classes are one of the simplest, most research-supported investments you can make in a child's development.
FAQ
At what age should children start art classes? Many studios welcome toddlers from 18 months to 2 years. The earlier children are exposed to creative materials and guided exploration, the more naturally it becomes part of how they think and learn.
Do children need to be "good at art" to benefit? Not at all. The developmental benefits, fine motor skills, emotional regulation, creative thinking, apply regardless of artistic skill level. The best studios are explicit about this.
How do art classes support school performance? Research links arts participation with improved literacy, numeracy, and higher-order thinking. The focus, observation, and problem-solving skills developed in an art class translate directly into the classroom.
Is the Creative Kids voucher accepted at these studios? Several of the studios listed above, including Sydney Art School, Little Ginger Studio, and Les Petits Painters are registered NSW Creative Kids providers, meaning eligible families can apply a $100 government voucher toward enrolment.
At Toodles, we believe in celebrating the art children make from the very first scribble to the proudest finished painting. Because every drawing tells a story.
