Are you the parent of a child or teenager who loves to paint or draw? Here are some suggestions to help you encourage their interest in visual arts:
Look for after-school art programs in your community.
You may wish to begin with general art classes, moving to a more specific focus, such as illustration, cartoon, printmaking, design, digital art and photography. Art undertaken solely as a creative outlet is important, but as your child gets older, look for courses that include elements of technique that will help them further their craft.
Take your child to the art gallery whenever possible.
Buy them books on art, and talk about art together. Art is a way to enrich a life – both creating art and enjoying the art created by others– regardless of the career your child may eventually choose. Go visit some of the amazing galleries in Toronto such as the Art Gallery of Ontario!
Look for a community of artists
Art is a solitary interest. Look for ways to help your child connect to others who love to do what they do – not only online, but in the real world, too. It is far easier to validate the interests of a child who loves sports than it is to do so for a child who spends their time painting, or drawing manga. Look for competitions your child can enter and galleries where young people can exhibit their work.
Many families live in communities without the resources to meet the needs of a child or teenager who loves art. At Centauri Arts, in Bloor West Village, Toronto, young artists choose from specialist programs such as Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Cartooning, Digital Art, Animation or Illustration. All programs are taught by qualified and experienced professionals, and everyone works towards a gallery show at the end of the semester. It’s about top notch training, developing creative skills – and building community, too.
Julie Hartley
Director
Centauri Arts
