The best possible fine arts education experience on the West Side and beyond - for any child or adult. Angela and her teachers are expertly trained in guidance with encouragement. Years ago, I had the benefit of attending weekly training in the Arts in Action curricula for a local school - grades 1-6. It was an eye opening and enriching art education instruction. read more

Just simply the best art education ever for kids in NYC! Our daughter still uses the lessons she learned as part of Arts in Action. She is pursuing a graphic design career which incorporates her visual art and environmental science skills. read more

Arts in Action Visual Art Program is an excellent art program. If you are looking for an art program that will cultivate your child's technical skills as well as deepen their passion for art this is an excellent program that will meet both needs. The instructors and administrators are very welcoming and responsive to parent and student's needs. This creates a positive learning environment and promotes self-confidence. My daughter enjoys and looks forward to attending each class session. read more

My children have been attending AIA for 4 years. I have seen both of them grow tremendously as artists over these years. I appreciate the steady layered approach to teaching fine art techniques. It's the kind of education that's difficult to get in a school environment (and sadly rarely seen). Being an artist myself, I appreciate how this class teaches them to slow down and be mindful about their work. We also appreciate the professionalism of the staff and know our children are very well cared for in class. read more

My 13yo daughter has been going to AIAVAP for over two years and she loves it! She has learned many techniques, explored different mediums, and worked on a variety of styles. Each session she learns something new and feels like her technique keeps getting better. This year she applied to NYC High School arts program and the staff were extraordinary in helping her in preparing her portfolio and essay. They were knowledgeable about the application process, helped her select pieces she has already done, and advised her on how to work on the additional required pieces. Lauren, her teacher, offered extra sessions AT NO COST and the Director, Angela, was responsive to my emails when I told her my daughter was applying to art schools. Most importantly, all her teachers have been very encouraging and supportive, and my daughter looks forward to going to class every week. read more

Arts in Action Visual Art Program - Watercolor self-portrait - Art Classes Near Me - New York, New York

I was first introduced to Art in Action through a student who had been lucky enough to participate in a California school and I am SO glad that he told me about it. This program is absolutely amazing. Many Montana schools do not have art teachers so, as a classroom teacher, Art in Action makes art meaningful and possible for our students. The content is enriching, engaging, informative, and content based-often tying in seamlessly to our social studies, science, math, and language arts curriculum. It has given my students, many of them from low income demographics, a new love of art, art history, and artists. The staff is exceptional and always willing to help in any way they can-the website is user friendly and perfect for overwhelmed and busy teachers. Recently I helped to start a charter school that is a hybrid between in-person and remote. We have 100 students total in two classrooms and an extremely limited budget. We were without supplies (even paper) and had an extremely small staff who had little time to dedicate to art. I knew our students would need an artistic outlet and I positively love Art in Action, so I reached out to them. We were generously awarded a scholarship, which allowed our students to access the incredible curriculum as well as supplies. They have embraced every art lesson and been so inspired by the art. During these difficult times, I believe art is more important than ever for our students. They must be allowed to express themselves and Art in Action gives them the means and creativity to do just that. In the past, I have put on an art show each year as a celebration of the student. Every child in my school has a piece of art on display in the show and it has been a hugely popular event that helps the community feel a part of our school. The art turns out beautifully and is extremely impressive. I can hardly wait for our spring show at our charter school and I am so excited for our community to come and experience the magic of this program. read more

My daughter learned a lot and created a beautiful portfolio during her time at AiAVAP! The instruction is rigorous, thoughtful, and personal. We were especially appreciative for the guidance and support with high school auditions - she was well-prepared! read more

Yesterday my daughter came home with her portfolio she will use for specialized High School auditions. I had no idea what to expect, but I was so astounded when I opened it up! It is an exceptional compilation hitting all requirements the schools put forth. The matting is professional and really ties it together. Can't recommend highly enough! read more

My 10 year old daughter joined Arts in Action for the first time this year and it has been a challenging but very rewarding experience for her. Before we made the commitment to the class, Angela took the time to meet with me to describe the class structure and approach and also to gently but firmly make it clear that this was a serious art class. While it should be fun, there is an expectation that students come to learn. My daughter has really enjoyed and felt stretched by the class and I am incredibly impressed with the quality of all the students' work in this class. read more

Let me lead this review off by saying that I have been a middle school teacher on the Upper West Side for the past 17 years in a school that truly values and encourages visual arts. My daughter, who is almost 10, just finished a week of Arts in Action VAP camp and I am most definitely unimpressed by the course of study, the treatment of the students in the program, and the frankly inaccurate description of the camp that led us to sign her up in the first place. (The posting states that there are bi-weekly visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and let me assure you that there are no such visits, nor anyone willing to explain to you why there are not.) If you are seeking a program that will inspire your child creatively and make them feel eager to experiment and learn fine art techniques, Arts in Action VAP camp is not the place. The kids are crammed into a little back room where they are not allowed to speak or sit next to their friends, and even get yelled at for asking questions. There were not a lot of kids left in camp by the last day, and one can take that for what it's worth. (For that matter, the director Angela Tripi-Weiss was not there that day, either.) Angela Tripi-Weiss touts her Blackboard Award (spoiler alert: I have one, too) but what she really ought to think about is how she communicates with and interacts with kids, and to recognize the fact that her sterile and unloving manner might make kids actually dislike art at a time when a positive experience in fine arts could change their lives. This camp is close to $1200 a week, and my daughter, who is a respectful and curious kid, really hated it. I feel like we wasted our money signing up for Arts In Action VAP camp, and worse than that, we wasted our daughter's time. read more

Excellent program for middle school students serious about art. My daughter attended during 6th and 7th grade to build a portfolio for 8th grade. It is run by an artist who was the former art teacher at PS87. It is a very caring and personal environment. Angela has an assistant and there are not too many students so each one can get individual attention if needed. read more

Not a good program. My kids did not enjoy class at all and they have a terrible cancellation policy. Angela does not know how to work with kids and makes them feel bad about themselves if they don't listen perfectly to what she says. She does not know how to nurture or create an environment where kids feel they can experiment or be really creative. Definitely do not recommend. It's a staid environment and there is no element of fun. She also does not know how to communicate with parents and not at all open to feedback. She walked away in the middle of a conversation and refused to hear any feedback. She is spiteful and shows her spite to the kids when they don't listen. read more

My 12 year old daughter has been taking lessons at Arts in Action for several years now, and it's been a great enriching program to keep growing in her interest in art. It began with her passion for drawing when she started there at the age of 5, and she's blossomed into an artist. As a middle schooler now, she has other options to explore for afterschool activities, but my daughter insists on continuing at Arts in Action. Angela and the assistant teachers are attentive and know each student's individual progress. read more

Arts in Action VAP is such an incredible visual art program! As a former student that has gone on to continue visual art as a career, AIA VAP gave me a long lasting foundation of skills. I still use the lessons I learned from AIA. I would definitely recommend all children to this program! They have after school, summer camp and day workshops! read more

Wonderful program that provides my 8-y-o daughter with tools, techniques, and confidence to express her artistic sensibilities. Classes are intense - Angela pushes kids to their maximum potential - and if the kids can handle the 90 minutes of focus demanded of them, they are likely to develop a lifelong passion for art as they realize what they can accomplish. read more

This school offers a unique art program that goes way beyond what other programs offer, in my experience. They use a very structured approach that helps the kids understand the "inner anatomy" of artwork in a way that builds their confidence wonderfully. The beauty part is that, while their approach is very sophisticated, based on lots of the theory and analysis, the actual lessons are all very straightforward and engaging. The kids get to absorb and master a tremendous amount of artistic theory and technique, but all the time -- from their point of view -- what they're mainly doing is having fun. Look at the Arts in Action website to see the amazing things the kids come up with. read more

My children both had the benefit of Arts in Action. The program is incredible because it's fun for the kids, yet incorporates training in the basics of expression through the visual arts. Each child's own vision and approach is honored, which I can't stress enough, yet the curriculum ingeniously teaches them the techniques they need to build on their skills. They love it. Angela makes it fun to for kids "discover" things like negative space! The kids are thrilled and proud of their work, because the results are fantastic, AND because at every point they are made to feel it is their own work. I can't recommend this program more highly. read more

This is an absolutely superb visual art training program for children. Angela, the director, is a top-notch instructor. She is loving and joyful but also very serious about the growth and development of her students. My daughter has taken this class for 5 years, and she has grown immeasurably as an artist (and as a kid!) every year. It's an amazing combination of rigorous visual arts training and patient, kind, sensitive, loving approach to children's work. I can't recommend this class highly enough. read more

My daughter took classes at Arts in Action on two occaisons. When she was 9, she was craving more than her school art program could provide, and received the support and professionalism that she needed as a young artist. She went back when she was in 7th grade to work on her portfolio. She learned a lot, created amazing artwork, and got into her three top choices of high schools, including La Guardia. I LOVE this place. The staff are serious artists who teach technique and hard work and respect. read more

As a working parent, the hours of the programs (5 years or less) are conducive for at-home mom's and nannies. When I raised this to the owner, she defended it and noted that toddlers/young kids get tired later in the day. When, in fact, toddlers would least likely be tired as NY Law mandates pre-school provide naps daily for at least 1 hour. The one class open was a Saturday class for 5 and up; which she rejected that my 4 1/2 daughter attend since she noted its really over 7 years old. Slap me on the wrist for being a full-time working mom! They need to get up with the times! I now know why I'll spend $800 at a commercial venue (i.e. Kidville, etc.) and not independent studios. (People are not will to change.) read more

After going to Arts in Action for over five years I only have postivie things to say about the incredible experince I had. Angela used her expertise to guide me in my preparation in my portfolio for both my high school and college applications- this helped me get into a number of schools that required them. During my time there I also got to explore every kind of art medium and was then able to find my love for chalk pastel and charcoal-things I had never worked with before. Growing up going to Arts in action every Wednesday became apart of my childhood and my developement as an artist and as a young woman. I was always treated as an artist and pushed to do my best. can't thank Angela and the other mentors I had for the artistic training and education that I recieved there. read more

What an amazingly class. You have enriched our daughter's life with your careful, thoughtful approach to art. We are enjoying watching our daughter's skills evolve and are thrilled that she looks forward to attending class every week. read more

Every parent wants their child's first work experience to be perfectly tailored to his/her interests, strengths and goals. I feel that my son( a high school Junior) found that at Arts in Action VAP this summer. Angela Tripi-Weiss has a very intuitive approach to selecting interns and there are not many spaces, but if your child gets the opportunity to intern here he/she will have a daily learning experience that will no doubt have a positive outcome in their academic life. Arts in Action VAP takes a very organized child-sensitive approach to teaching the fine arts and a teen/college intern will learn a great deal about art education. At Arts in Action VAP talented art students learn fine art techniques in a positive setting. They are not told what to think but asked what they think. As an intern my son returned home daily eager to paint. He was definitely inspired by his job. At the end of his 4 week internship, when I read his daily work log I was quite impressed and filled with pride. Words cannot express the joy and great appreciation I feel with regards to the experience my son had this summer as an intern at Arts in Action. This is an Ideal internship for a high school or college student. read more