SUMMER 2026
Adult Continuing Education
IN PERSON & ONLINE ART AND DESIGN CLASSES FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING
Take an art and design class at a world-class art school. Find your creative spark this summer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), ranked #2 among Best Fine Arts Programs by US News & World Report. Whether you’re interested in taking a single class as a creative outlet or pursuing a certificate to further your
The Art Institute of Chicago All students in an Adult Continuing Education class enjoy free entry to the Art Institute of Chicago museum while enrolled! Our museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, is the School’s most unique educational resource. Named one of Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” US attractions of 2025, its collections are an extension of the classroom and provide unparalleled opportunities for inspiration, learning, and research.
Further Explore the Museum Collection · Inspired by the Exhibition · Studying Art History at the AIC: An Overview
career, SAIC’s Adult Continuing Education program offers classes for a variety of skill levels and interests. Choose from on-campus classes in the heart of Chicago’s Loop or take a class online. You will learn from practicing artists and designers who bring real-world experience into the classroom at the nation’s most influential art and design school. You’ll also enjoy free access to our world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago museum while enrolled in a class.
Chicago: Our Vibrant City Voted Best Big City in the US by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, Chicago is a city
“This was my first art class ever. [The instructor]
of architecture, innovative public art, world-class museums and galleries, and home to one of the country’s largest concentrations of working creatives.
is very knowledgeable and he communicated in a way that I was able to understand the task at hand and grew my knowledge of color. In this way, I have begun to look at color differently.”
Further Explore Chicago Plein Air Painting Sketching Chicago: Capturing the Urban Cityscape Urban Photography
—ACE Student, Color Theory
“I love these classes! I enjoy [the instructor’s] stories, connecting with other art lovers and exploring the Art Institute further.” —ACE Student, Studying Art History at
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the AIC: An Overview
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Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
Summer 2026 Courses
Summer 2026 Courses
For complete course details, including description and instructor, visit continuingstudies.saic.edu. Questions? Email cs@saic.edu or call 312.629.6170.
For complete course details, including description and instructor, visit continuingstudies.saic.edu. Questions? Email cs@saic.edu or call 312.629.6170.
Key:
Key:
= In-Person,
= Online
= In-Person,
= Online
10-WEEK SESSION: June 8 to August 16
1-WEEK SESSION: July 27–31
Fashion and Fibers
Graphic Design
Frame Loom Weaving #1066
Painting and Drawing T 6-9
Artist’s Diary and Journal: The Mindful Art Practice and Personal Growth #1285 TH 6-9 Drawn from Life: Illustrating the Personal Narrative #1035 Asynchronous Figure Drawing Studio: Multi-level #1281 SU 2-5 From Drawing to Painting #1121 W 6-9 Introduction to Drawing #1034 SU 10-1 Painting from Photographs #1282 SU 2-5 Plein Air Painting #1100 SU 10-1
Graphic Design Design Matters #1020 Introduction to Graphic Design #1079 Motion Graphics: Video #1280
TH 6-9 SU 10-1 M 6-9
Interdisciplinary Professional Practices: Grants, Galleries, Graduate School #1092
SU 10-1
Interior Architecture Design Matters #1020 Introduction to Interior Design #1086 Introduction to Interior Design #1085
TH 6-9 W 6-9 M 6-9
Photography Lighting Fundamentals #1284 Urban Photography #1109
M 6-9 SU 2-5
Writing Exploring Poetic Form #1283
TH 6-9
Color Theory for Designers #1019 Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals #1054
M-F 9-4
Interior Architecture Color Theory for Designers #1019
M-F 9-4
Painting and Drawing Essential Anatomy for Life Drawing #1048 Experimental Drawing and Painting Intensive: Exploring Contemporary Practice #1134
M-F 9-4 M-F 9-4
Printmedia Exploring Monoprint #1111
M-F 9-4
1-WEEK SESSION: August 3–7 Fashion Contemporary Fashion Intensive #1064
M-F 9-4
Painting and Drawing
5-WEEK SESSION: June 8 to July 12, no class July 4 Art History Inspired by the Exhibition #1010
M-F 9-4
Fashion and Fibers
SA 2-4:30
Figure Painting Studio: Multi-level #1107 Explorations in Acrylic Painting #1101 Painting and Drawing Intensive #1133
M-F 9-4 M-F 9-4 M-F 9-4
Graphic Design Digital Design: Adobe Illustrator #1080
M+W 6-9
Our schedule is subject to change. Please visit the website for the most up-to-date information.
Interdisciplinary Jumpstart Your Studio Practice #1093
T+TH 6-7:30
Painting and Drawing Introduction to Oil Painting #1102 Sketching Chicago: Capturing the Urban Cityscape #1036
SU 10-5 T+TH 6-9
5-WEEK SESSION: July 13 to August 16 Art History Studying Art History at AIC: An Overview #1009
SA 2-4
Fashion and Fibers Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals #1055
M+W 6-9
Graphic Design Color Theory for Designers #1021 Digital Design: Adobe Photoshop #1081
M+W 6-9 M+W 6-9
Interior Architecture Color Theory for Designers #1021
M+W 6-9
Painting and Drawing Contemporary Watercolor #1103 Introduction to Drawing #1037
SA 9-4 M+W 6-9
Photography Introduction to Digital Photography #1108
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M+W 6-9
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Earn Your Certificate
“Taking this watercolor course reassured my own pedagogy and teaching praxis, and truly scaffolded my
Explore an area of personal or professional interest. Designed to be completed in less than two years, this micro-credential is perfect for advancing your career or strengthening graduate school applications.
teaching even during the course. I feel much more confident as I approach the start of an MFA program this fall, and
Certificate students take six Adult Continuing Education noncredit classes: five specific to your selected discipline and one elective. Pay the same tuition for Adult Continuing Education classes as non-certificate students, plus a one-time application fee.
am relieved to have tricks and technical
Certificates are offered in:
—ACE Student, Contemporary
watercolor skills as a foundation for my comics and illustration practice.”
Watercolor
• Drawing • Fashion • Graphic Design • Interior Design • Painting After you have selected at least one course, pay the $100 nonrefundable fee along with your tuition.
“I flew in from the Seattle area for this class to further my knowledge in monotype. I learned that from [the instructor]. But I also learned about how to improve myself as an artist. I would take any class from her again. She was warm, engaging, knowledgeable
Registration Information
environment. Definitely
Register online at continuingstudies.saic.edu. QUESTIONS? Call 312.629.6170 or email cs@saic.edu.
worthwhile!”
Students must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
—ACE Student, Exploring
Tuition
and fostered a warm
Monoprint
1-week and 2-weekend intensive course tuition: $810 5-week 15-hour course tuition: $405
Did you know? SAIC also offers courses for youth ages 6-18! Visit saic.edu/cs for more information.
5-week 30-hour course tuition: $675 10-week course tuition: $675 Certificate application fee: $100 Students are responsible for purchasing their own supplies. A list of required items will be provided at the first course session, along with a syllabus. Payment Options: We accept credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa).
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Ranked #2 fine arts graduate program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report
Call 312.629.6170 or email cs@saic.edu.
Questions?
Visit continuingstudies.saic.edu to register today!
Classes begin in June, July, and August
Summer 2026
saic.edu/ace
Adult Continuing Education 116 S Michigan Ave., 6th floor Chicago, IL 60603
Adult Continuing Education