Explore Your Creative Side at These Free NYC Art Classes
By Sarah Rabinowitz, LCAT-LP
In addition to being fun, art-making is inherently therapeutic. It helps us express ourselves, connect to others, process feelings and experiences, and regulate our nervous systems. Here in New York City, we are lucky to be surrounded by world-class and cutting-edge art, but you don’t need to be a professional to take part in the city’s vibrant artistic offerings. Here are some of the many free art-making opportunities throughout New York City.
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library offers many free art classes across Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx.
On Monday afternoons, children can join Arts & Processes in Lenox Hill or Petite Picasso: Arts & Crafts in Yorkville/East Harlem. For pre-teens, check out Mixed Media Art: For Pre-Teens in Riverdale.
Teens can join Teen Art Club (various locations), the Wednesday Art Club (Highbridge), and the Art & Design sessions (Westchester Square). Upcoming Art & Design session crafts include picture frames, magnets, and terrarium making.
Masterpiece Mondays (Lower East Side) caters to teens and young adults. Each week, group members learn about a new artist and make art inspired by their work.
Adult opportunities include Inwood Adult Coloring Club and Stencils & Pencils (Great Kills).
Brooklyn Public Library
The Brooklyn Public Library has a vast catalog of art offerings for people of all ages. For children ages 5-12, Kids Create provides new craft projects each week. For younger children, check out Little Kids Create.
Teen Time events offer free craft time, structured crafting, craftivism, and crafts combined with games and chilling.
Adult offerings include Weekly Craft Circle, Sewing, Adult Coloring, Drawing, and Fiber Arts.
Queens Public Library
The Queens Public Library also has many free art-making opportunities in locations across the borough.
For children, check out Art Cart (various locations). Comics Club with Citation Needed (multiple locations) offers comic design classes for children and teens. Teen Art Studio (Ridgewood) provides a variety of art projects for teenagers.
Adult offerings include Creative Aging (various locations, including virtual), Watercolor Club (Glen Oaks and Windsor Park), Make it Mondays (Corona), Adult Quilt Club (Cambria Heights), Adult Craft Club (Cambria Heights), and Arverne Art Nights (Arverne).
MoMA
Drop-in Drawing at MoMA invites adults to experience art through drawing, guided by MoMA staff and visiting artists. Participation is included with admission, which is free on Friday nights.
Wallach Art Gallery
Designed for children and families, Wallach Kids offers events focused on art-making and creative self-expression.
Crafts on the Corner welcomes people of all ages and experience levels. The event series aims to make art-making more accessible for community members.
Staten Island Makerspace
Staten Island Makerspace periodically offers free workshops open to the public. Upcoming events include DIY silkscreening and wooden toy making. Check their calendar for the most updated list of offerings.
Whitney Museum of American Art
Free Second Sundays: On the second Sunday of every month, the Whitney is free all day and offers visitors of all ages opportunities to enjoy art-making, activities, tours, classes, and other special events celebrating Whitney exhibitions and community events.
Whether you are the next Van Gogh or a total art novice, there are financially accessible opportunities for you to make art here in New York City. Try it today and discover how connecting with your creative side can support your mental health and help you thrive.