Frequently Asked Questions
The Art School is part of The Contemporary Austin and can be found at the historic Laguna Gloria site, located at 3809 West 35th Street. The downtown exhibition space for The Contemporary is the Jones Center, located at 700 Congress Ave.
Click here for a Medical Release Form.
Q. How do I register for classes?
A: You may register Online, by Mail, Phone, or in person at Laguna Gloria.
Online: Click on Sign In. Create a new student profile if you're registering one adult or a household profile if you're registering one or more children or adults in the same household. Complete the form and Submit. After you have created the profile, click on All Classes on the left menu and start shopping.
By Mail: Send your registration form along with check, money order or credit card information to: The Art School, 3809 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703
By Phone: Call (512) 323-6380, Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 5 pm.
In person: Stop by The Art School registration office at Laguna Gloria (3809 W. 35th St., First building on the left once you enter the grounds)
Q: What are The Art School's Office Hours?
A: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Our office hours change to 8:30 am – 4:30 pm during the summer semester.
Q: Who can attend classes at The Art School?
A: Anyone! Adult classes are available for ages 18+. Children's classes are available by age group starting as young as 4 years old. Teen classes and Parent/Child workshops are also available.
Q: When can I register for classes?
A. Registrations are accepted all throughout the semester. Register early to secure your place in a high demand class!
Q: When is tuition due?
A: Tuition is due in full at the time of registration. There will be a $25 charge for returned checks.
Q: Is college credit available at The Art School?
A: The Art School is not an accredited institution.
Q: Do you have classes throughout the year?
A: The Art School has three semesters annually:
Spring: late January through mid-May
Summer: early June through mid-August
Fall: mid-September through mid-December
Q: Are there prerequisites for any courses?
A: Check course descriptions as prerequisites may apply for certain courses.
Q: Where do classes meet?
A: Most classes meet at the Laguna Gloria location; however a few classes are offsite. Click below for directions.
The Contemporary Austin at the Jones Center
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Helios Glass Studio
Austin School of Mosaic Art
Map to Laguna Gloria
Map of Laguna Gloria studio locations
Q: Are your classrooms wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, Laguna Gloria Studios 1 through 8 have ground floor entrances.
Q: Do you offer any financial assistance?
A: Need-based scholarships are available. For online applications for students ages 4-14 click here, for students ages 14-18 click here, and for students ages 18+ click here Printable applications for youths ages 4-14 click here, for students 14-18 click here and for students 18+ click here. Mail scholarship requests to The Art School, 3809 W. 35th St. Austin, TX 78703. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing. We award up to two scholarships per calendar year per individual and a maximum of two scholarships per semester per household.
Q: What if I can't attend a class I am registered for?
A: If you withdraw from a class before it begins with a minimum of 7 days notice, you will be refunded your tuition minus a $30 cancellation fee. Due to instructor/school preparation costs, no refunds will be granted 6 days or fewer prior to the class start date.
Q: Can I switch to another class?
A: Due to the large volume of students, there will be a $30.00 charge each time you switch a class. Due to instructor/school preparation costs, no transfers will be granted 7 days or fewer prior to the class start date.
Q: What about parking?
A: Parking is free of charge on the Laguna Gloria grounds or along 35th street.
Q: Can I buy food onsite?
A: Yes. Breakfast and lunch are served daily from 8:30A-3:30P at Épicerie, located next to the Visitor Information building. Please feel free to bring your own food or snacks, but keep in mind that no refrigeration is available. The Casis Village Shopping Center, which is just a few minutes down Exposition Blvd., has a few options, including Starbucks, Randall's, and Food Food.
Q: What about cancelled classes?
A: If a class is canceled by The Art School, participants in the class will be notified and offered a full refund.
Q: I know I have a profile but I have forgotten my login.
A: First try your email address. Otherwise please, call the office at (512) 323-6380 and we will send your profile information and help you register.
Q: If I sign up my child for a morning and afternoon class in the Summer, will supervision be provided during the lunch hour?
A: There is no adult supervision for children during the lunch hour. A parent or guardian MUST pick them up from the morning class and drop them off at their afternoon class.
About
The Art School is located on the fourteen-acre Lake Austin site of historic Laguna Gloria, a natural setting conducive to the creation of art. Our studios have direct access to the out-of-doors, and we encourage you to explore the grounds while working on class projects. Our goal is to foster your creativity, enhance your visual awareness, and improve your technical skills in your chosen medium. Our small classes increase your interactions with our credentialed and talented faculty members.
Having recently celebrated our 50th Anniversary, The Art School continues to strive to maintain the highest standards of educational excellence, offering you the added bonus of experiencing changing exhibitions at two locations.
Museum membership at certain levels gives you tuition discounts, preferential registration, invitations to openings, and other benefits. There are so many ways to enjoy The Art School and our campus at the beautiful Laguna Gloria, so whether you are a beginning student, a serious amateur, or a returning artist, we invite you to enroll.
We have classes for ages four through adult.
Adult Classes: Weekdays, Evenings, and Weekends
Kids' Classes: Saturdays and Sundays, and Week-long Camps in the Summer
Classes in painting, drawing, wheel throwing (pottery), photography, Photoshop, collage, mosaics, watercolor, pastels, jewelry, glass, metal, and more!
Classes start at various dates during the semester and registration is ongoing.
For more information about registering, Click here.
Volunteering & Internships
The Contemporary Austin Art School accepts applications year round from volunteers ages 13 and up to assist in all classes with a particular emphasis on children’s classes. The Art School seeks volunteers who:
Enjoy working with children—experience is preferred, but not required
Enjoy art! Again, an arts background is a plus, but not necessary
Willingness to make a commitment to attend all classes, arriving 15 minutes early to help with setup and staying 15 minutes late to help with cleanup
If these attributes resonate with you, please follow the links below to our application forms.
Teen Volunteer Application Form
Adult Volunteer Application Form
If the Art School has a volunteer opportunity that suits your stated availability and experience level we will contact you to confirm schedules. Thank you for volunteering!
Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Students and families demonstrating financial need are eligible to apply for scholarships to the Art School. We award up to two scholarships per year per individual and a maximum of two scholarships per semester per household, with a lifetime limit of 5 scholarships per individual. Applicants can expect to hear back in up to 4 weeks. Download the appropriate application at the link below. For additional assistance or inquiries, please contact the Art School office at 512.323.6380 or email us at artschool@thecontemporaryaustin.org.
Printable: YOUTH (ages 4-13) Scholarship Application
Online: YOUTH (ages 4-13) Scholarship Application
Printable: TEEN (ages14-18) Scholarship Application
Online: TEEN (ages14-18) Scholarship Application
Printable: ADULT (ages 19+) Scholarship Application
Online: ADULT (ages 19+) Scholarship Application
Art School scholarships for underserved youth ages 4 through 18 and senior citizens over the age of 65 are supported by a generous $25,000 gift to the Education Fund from the Estate of Maxie G. Templeton. As the largest gift toward the scholarship program in the history of the Art School, this gift from the Templeton Estate will expand access to classes for students in need, planting the seed for lifelong participation in the arts in young learners and enriching the lives of seniors. You, too, can make a difference in the lives of students in need by supporting Art School scholarships—make your gift to the Education Fund today!
Contact
To reach The Art School staff:
Phone: 512-323-6380
E-mail: artschool@thecontemporaryaustin.org
Art School Staff
Director: Matt Hoggle
Administrative Manager: Kelcie Tisher
Registration Coordinator: Ariel Spiegelman
Studio & Volunteer Coordinator: Max Brooks
Ceramics Coordinator: James Tisdale
Mailing Address
The Art School
3809 W. 35th St.
Austin, TX 78703