Adult Continuing Education
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING OPEN TO STUDENTS AT ALL LEVELS
INVESTIGATE NEW IDEAS. EXCEED BOUNDARIES.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago invites you to be part of our diverse community of artists, designers, and scholars. Cultivate creative confidence, learning with and from your instructors and your peers as you produce work based on your personal research, goals, and interests.
Our outstanding faculty are experts in their respective fields and experienced educators committed to creating opportunities for students to engage with new materials and techniques and explore concept development.
10-Week Session
May 27-August 8
5-Week Sessions
May 27-July 3
July 7-August 10
1-Week Intensives
August 4-8
August 11–15
Chicago is a vibrant city with many fun events happening all summer long in the downtown area. To see what is going on during your class, visit choosechicago.com.
Dive deep into an area of personal or professional interest. Designed to be completed in less than two years, Adult Continuing Education noncredit certificates allow you to develop a contemporary art and design practice, explore new areas of study, expand your skill set, and prepare a portfolio.
Certificate students take six Adult Continuing Education noncredit courses: five unique to the discipline and an elective of their choice. They pay the same tuition for ACE courses as non-certificate students and a one-time application fee.
1-Week Intensives
Emerging and practicing artists will enjoy the kinship and camaraderie that is quickly established when working with peers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All 1-week intensives are offered in person.
AUGUST 4–8, 2025, MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9–4
• Color Theory #1018
• Essential Anatomy for Life Drawing #1288
• Experimental Drawing and Painting
Intensive: Exploring Contemporary Practice #1291
• Exploring Monoprint #1108
• Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals #1051
AUGUST 11–15, 2025, MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9–4
• Contemporary Fashion Intensive #1289
• Explorations in Acrylic Painting #1100
• Figure Painting Studio: Multi-level #1286
• Introduction to Graphic Design #1290
• Painting and Drawing Intensive #1287
The Art Institute of Chicago
Our museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, is the School’s most unique educational resource. Its collections are an extension of our classrooms and provide unparalleled opportunities for learning and research.
Experience the Art Institute of Chicago museum:
• Highlights of the AIC: Chicago #1009
• Inspired by the Exhibition #1010
• Studying Art History at the AIC: An Overview #1008
Immerse yourself in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s creative thinking and making community this summer. Advance your practice in one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world: Chicago. As home to one of the country’s largest concentrations of working creatives, Chicago is a city of architecture, innovative public art, and world-class museums and galleries.
Explore our city
• Introduction to Digital Photography #1106
• Plein Air Painting #1099
• Sketching Chicago: Capturing the Urban Cityscape #1037
• Urban Photography #1107
SUMMER IN CHICAGO
Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
Summer
2025 Courses
For complete course details, including description and instructor, visit continuingstudies.saic.edu Questions? Email cs@saic.edu or call 312.629.6170
Schedule is subject to change.
Key: = In-Person, = Online
10-WEEK SESSION: MAY 27 TO AUGUST 8, 2025; no class on June 19
ART HISTORY
Highlights of the AIC: Chicago #1009 TH 6-9
FASHION AND FIBERS
Frame Loom Weaving #1061 M 6-9
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Design Matters
#1019 TH 6-9
Introduction to Graphic Design #1074 SU 10-1
INTERDISCIPLINARY
Professional Practices: Grants, Galleries, Graduate School #1091 M 6-9
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Design Matters
#1019 TH 6-9
Introduction to Interior Design #1083 W 6-9
Introduction to Interior Design #1082 M 6-9
PAINTING AND DRAWING
Contemporary Watercolor
#1102 SA 1-4
Drawn from Life: Illustrating the Personal Narrative #1035 asynchronous
Figure Drawing Studio: Multi-level #1034 SU 2-5
From Drawing to Painting #1118 W 6-9
Introduction to Drawing #1033 SU 10-1
Plein Air Painting #1099 SU 10-1
PHOTOGRAPHY
Urban Photography #1107 T 6-9
WRITING
Exploring Poetic Form
5-WEEK SESSION: MAY 27 TO JULY 3, 2025; no class on June 19
ART HISTORY
Inspired by the Exhibition
GRAPHIC DESIGN
#1131 TH 6-9
5-WEEK SESSION: JULY 7 TO AUGUST 10, 2025
ART HISTORY
Studying Art History at the AIC: An Overview #1008 SA 2-4
FASHION AND FIBERS
Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals #1052 M+W 6-9
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Color Theory #1020 M+W 6-9
Digital Design: Adobe Photoshop #1077 M+W 6-9
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Color Theory #1020 M+W 6-9
PAINTING AND DRAWING
Introduction to Drawing #1038 M+W 6-9
PHOTOGRAPHY
Introduction to Digital Photography #1106 M+W 6-9
1-WEEK SESSION: AUGUST 4 TO AUGUST 8, 2025
FASHION AND FIBERS
Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals #1051 MTWTHF 9-4
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Color Theory #1018 MTWTHF 9-4
PAINTING AND DRAWING
Essential Anatomy for Life Drawing #1288 MTWTHF 9-4
Experimental Drawing and Painting Intensive:
Exploring Contemporary Practice #1291 MTWTHF 9-4
PRINTMEDIA
Exploring Monoprint #1108 MTWTHF 9-4
1-WEEK SESSION: AUGUST 11 TO AUGUST 15, 2025
FASHION AND FIBERS
#1010 SA 2-4:30
Digital Design: Adobe Illustrator #1076 M+W 6-9
INTERDISCIPLINARY
Jumpstart Your Studio Practice #1092 T+TH 6-7:30
PAINTING AND DRAWING
Introduction to Oil Painting
#1101 SA 9-4
Sketching Chicago: Capturing the Urban Cityscape #1037 T+TH 6-9
Contemporary Fashion Intensive #1289 MTWTHF 9-4
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Introduction to Graphic Design #1290 MTWTHF 9-4
PAINTING AND DRAWING
Explorations in Acrylic Painting #1100 MTWTHF 9-4
Figure Painting Studio: Multi-level #1286 MTWTHF 9-4
Painting and Drawing Intensive #1287 MTWTHF 9-4
Adult Continuing Education (ACE) Course Descriptions
For complete course details, including description and instructor, visit continuingstudies.saic.edu Questions? Email cs@saic.edu or call 312.629.6170
Key: = In-Person, = Online
ART HISTORY
Highlights of the AIC: Chicago #1009 TH 6-9, 5/29-8/7, no class on 6/19
Explore the works of iconic Chicago artists and works inspired by the city in the Art Institute of Chicago museum collection. Discover how Chicago’s unique history and diverse communities have influenced art across various mediums, from the vibrant urban landscape to the cultural movements that have shaped one of America’s most influential cities.
Inspired by the Exhibition #1010 SA 2-4:30, 5/31-6/21
This course explores a current exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago museum and related works from the collection. Sessions will take place in the exhibitions and the museum’s galleries. Visit continuingstudies.saic.edu for details.
Studying Art History at the AIC: An Overview #1008 SA 2-4, 7/12-8/9
The Art Institute of Chicago’s collection includes nearly 300,000 works of art. Spend five weeks exploring highlights from several periods—Old Masters and Impressionists and today.
FASHION AND FIBERS
Contemporary Fashion Intensive #1289 M-F 9-4, 8/11-8/15
Explore contemporary approaches to designing and developing experimental garments. Activities will guide you through developing original ideas and finding inspiration in the world around you.
Frame Loom Weaving #1061 M 6-9, 6/2-8/4
Learn techniques to create surface, image, texture, and various color effects within a woven form on a frame loom.
Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals #1052 MW 6-9, 7/7-8/6 #1051 M-F 9-4, 8/4-8/8
Learn how to sew with industry standards in mind in this beginner’s class. Create a personal library of seam samples and then apply fundamental techniques in two foundational projects.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Color Theory
#1020 MW 6-9, 7/7-8/6
#1018 M-F 9-4, 8/4-/8/8
Learn the variety of ways that color is used as a design element by working with current color theory principles and models to develop color plans and concepts.
Design Matters
#1019 TH 6-9, 5/29-8/7, no class on 6/19
Discuss and analyze design principles by surveying successful projects envisioned by artists, architects, theorists, and authors. Engage in lectures, readings, and discussions to discover a variety of approaches to problem-solving.
Digital Design: Adobe Illustrator #1076 MW 6-9, 5/28-6/30
Enhance your Adobe Illustrator skills by mastering techniques like transparency, masking, and gradients through dynamic demonstrations and personalized feedback.
Digital Design: Adobe Photoshop #1077 MW 6-9, 7/7-8/6
Acquire the skills to manipulate and enhance images while exploring design elements like composition, color, and typography. Develop a design vocabulary and problem-solving strategies to understand Photoshop’s critical role in creating professional work.
Introduction to Graphic Design #1074 SU 10-1 6/1-8/3
#1290 M-F 9-4, 8/11-8/15
Investigate design principles such as color, composition, and typography through a series of projects introducing Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
INTERDISCIPLINARY
Jumpstart Your Studio Practice
#1092 TTH 6-7:30, 5/27-7/1, no class on 6/19
Feeling like you’ve lost your studio groove? Join other artists who feel similarly and support one another in getting back on track and vibrant again.
Professional Practices: Grants, Galleries, Graduate School
#1091 M 6-9, 6/2-8/4
Do you want to develop a proposal for a grant, residency, exhibition, or curatorial project? Are you applying to graduate school? This is the course for you! Learn how to research and identify opportunities, write an artist statement, and document and present your work.
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Color Theory
#1020 MW 6-9, 7/7-8/6
#1018 M-F 9-4, 8/4-/8/8
Learn the variety of ways that color is used as a design element by working with current color theory principles and models to develop color plans and concepts.
Design Matters
#1019 TH 6-9, 5/29-8/7, no class on 6/19
Discuss and analyze design principles by surveying successful projects envisioned by artists, architects, theorists, and authors. Engage in lectures, readings, and discussions to discover a variety of approaches to problem-solving.
Introduction to Interior Design
#1083 W 6-9, 5/28-7/30
#1082 M 6-9, 6/2-8/4
Learn the essentials to design and build an interior space, and examine what it takes to move creative designs from idea to reality.
PAINTING AND DRAWING
Contemporary Watercolor #1102 SA 1-4, 5/31-8/2
Explore traditional and contemporary approaches to the watercolor medium, including gouache. A variety of techniques, papers, and alternative painting surfaces, as well as mixed media processes, are introduced.
Drawn from Life: Illustrating the Personal Narrative #1035 asynchronous, 6/2-8/8
Survey several forms of graphic storytelling as you create your pictorial narrative. Weekly projects include drawing exercises, ideation through sketching, and research or writing.
Essential Anatomy for Life Drawing #1288 M-F 9-4, 8/4-8/8
Improve your ability to represent the human figure by drawing from live nude models to examine how the skeletal and muscular systems affect human proportion, motion, and balance.
Experimental Drawing and Painting Intensive: Exploring Contemporary Practice #1291 M-F 9-4, 8/4-8/8
Explore contemporary and interdisciplinary processes in drawing and painting while developing a daily artistic practice to sustain creativity. This course is ideal for those who want to think differently about their creative practice.
Explorations in Acrylic Painting #1100 M-F 9-4, 8/11-8/15
You will learn to work with acrylic paints through demonstrations, individual dialogue, class discussions, and critiques.
Figure Drawing Studio: Multi-level #1034 SU 2-5, 6/1-8/3
Working from the live nude model, learn to draw the human form from direct observation.
Figure Painting Studio: Multi-level #1286 M-F 9-4, 8/11-8/15
Develop expressive paintings from live nude models while refining your skills in a facultyguided group setting. Explore historical and contemporary figurative art to enhance understanding, support your direction, and execute your ideas effectively.
From Drawing to Painting #1118 W 6-9, 5/28-7/30
Drawings are the foundation for acquiring new painting skills, and students are encouraged to develop their ideas and goals with instructor guidance.
Introduction to Drawing #1033 SU 10-1, 6/1-8/3 #1038 MW 6-9, 7/7-8/6
Learn to draw in this beginner’s course designed to help you build foundational skills and understanding of line, perspective, composition, texture, light, and more.
Adult Continuing Education (ACE)
Course Descriptions (cont’d.)
For complete course details, including description and instructor, visit continuingstudies.saic.edu Questions? Email cs@saic.edu or call 312.629.6170
Key: = In-Person, = Online
PAINTING AND DRAWING (CONT’D.)
Introduction to Oil Painting #1101, SA 9-4, 5/31-6/28
In this beginner’s course, you will learn how to stretch your own canvas, lay out a palette, experiment with painting techniques, and mix colors. It is designed to provide you with the fundamentals.
Painting and Drawing Intensive #1287 M-F 9-4, 8/11-8/15
Immerse yourself in your creative work while discovering the joy and excitement of engaging with your materials, ideas, peers, and instructor in new and inspiring ways. Independent studio time is supplemented by lectures, demonstrations, and opportunities to engage with your instructor and peers through discussions and critique.
Plein Air Painting #1099 SU 10-1, 6/1-8/3
Observe color and capture changing light along the city’s lakefront and parks. Intended for those without outdoor painting experience, this course will cover the basics of equipment, materials, subject selection, and techniques for painting outdoors in oils or acrylics.
Sketching Chicago: Capturing the Urban Cityscape #1037 TTH 6-9, 5/27-7/1, no class on 6/19
Discover the exciting world of onsite sketching as you hone your observational drawing skills and connect with your environment. Choose your preferred medium and experiment with color as you experience Chicago’s historically significant architecture and cultural attractions like never before.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Introduction to Digital Photography #1106 MW 6-9, 7/7-8/6
Learn the foundations of photography and how to use a manual digital camera as you select and capture subjects that are both personally meaningful in content and contemporary in context.
Urban Photography #1107 T 6-9, 5/27-7/29
Develop your style and perspective while engaging with Chicago’s unique architecture and urban landscape. Look to renowned photographers for inspiration as you refine your practice and gain insight into how photography has evolved and shaped our understanding of the city.
PRINTMEDIA
Exploring Monoprint #1108 M-F 9-4, 8/4-8/8
Explore the possibilities of monoprint and monotype—painterly printmaking processes that lend themselves to immediacy and experimentation while producing finessed and complex imagery. Draw upon both the collections of the Art Institute and the immediate environment of downtown Chicago as you produce several unique prints and editions.
WRITING
Exploring Poetic Form #1131 TH 6-9, 5/29-8/7, no class on 6/19
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals and possibilities of the poetic form. Study the works and lives of three masters of poetic craft—Lucie Brock-Broido, Louise Glück, and Marie Howe—as you engage in lively discussions, practical experimentation, and inclass critiques.
DID YOU KNOW?
SAIC also offers courses for youth ages 6-18! Visit saic.edu/cs for more information.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register online at continuingstudies.saic.edu. QUESTIONS? Call 312.629.6170 or email cs@saic.edu.
Students must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
TUITION
1-week and 2-weekend intensives: $750
5- and 10-week courses, five or ten class meetings, 30 hours: $625
5-week courses, four or five class meetings, 10 or 15 hours: $375
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).
REFUND POLICY
A 100 percent tuition refund will be issued if a course is dropped at least one week prior to the session start date. No refunds will be issued after this date.
All requests to drop a course must be submitted in writing to cs@saic.edu and include the student’s name, ID number, and course information. Refunds take four to six weeks to process.
Note: Nonattendance does not constitute an official withdrawal, nor a cancellation of tuition and fees.
Cancellation and Schedule Changes: We reserve the right to cancel or alter the fees, schedule, or staffing when circumstances warrant. If a cancellation or change is necessary, students will be notified prior to the first class, and students enrolled in cancelled courses will have the option of taking another class or receiving a full refund.
