Do you also have a wall at home that has been turned into a mural of stick figures?

Well then, you probably know the frustration of trying to channel that creativity into something more amazing (and hopefully less expensive than a complete interior house painting)!

That’s why we went straight to the source of the best real-world advice—fellow aspiring artists and parents! And after matching their insights with our own professional criteria for selection, we ended up with a list of the best art schools in Auckland.

See which ones will be great for your family—whether adults, complete beginners, or wanting to refresh your skills, or for children in their curious teenage years, or considering an art college.

How much does going to an art school cost in Auckland?

An undergraduate degree at an art school in Auckland costs an average of $27,000 per year. Meanwhile, art lessons (at specialised schools and classes for kids, teens, and adults) cost $20 to $30 per hour or $150 to $200 per term. 

How we chose

Reputation and Accreditation: We chose art schools in Auckland known for their strong reputations. We also only picked those accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Faculty Expertise: It was crucial for us to choose schools with faculty who are practising artists with real-world experience. 

Facilities and Resources: We prioritised schools with modern facilities and specialised studios for different mediums, providing the tools and technology needed for students to excel.

Curriculum and Specialisations: We looked for a tailored curriculum that aligns with diverse artistic interests, whether in fine arts, design, or digital media.

Student Support Services: We chose schools that offer robust support services, such as career counselling, internships, and exhibition opportunities.

Location and Community: We picked schools that are located in Auckland’s creative hub, so students can benefit from proximity to galleries, exhibitions, and a vibrant arts community.

1. The Village Art Classes

The Village Art Classes, based in Auckland, New Zealand, offer a warm and welcoming environment for individuals of all skill levels to develop their artistic abilities. There is a strong emphasis on beginners and those seeking personal growth through art.

Classes are also currently offered in Howick, Mt Eden, Remuera, and Kohimarama, and there are various options, including a full 15-week course, individual 5 lesson modules, or one-day workshops. 

Additionally, weekend, weekday and evening sessions make it convenient for people with varying levels of interest and time availability to engage with the classes.

One of the standout features of The Village Art Classes is their focus on making art accessible to everyone over the age of 13, regardless of experience.  Seniors are especially welcome.  The team is known for creating a nurturing and non-judgmental atmosphere where beginners are taken step by step.  This is particularly helpful for those who may feel intimidated by the thought of joining an art class.

The professional tutors bring a diverse range of artistic skills to help guide students through their creative journey into sketching/drawing, pastels, watercolours, acrylics and more.  Along with the talented ‘Village’ Tutors,  guest artists offer diverse workshops throughout the year.

The Village Art Classes are for those that have never painted (or not since they were at school), and for artists that want to learn techniques and improve their art, or simply for those that want to meet others with the same interests in their community in a relaxing nurturing environment.

Many hundreds of aspiring artists have taken classes at The Village.  A considerable number return for additional courses, which speaks to the effectiveness of the teaching methods and the enjoyable experience of learning in this setting. The strong community feel fosters ongoing relationships between the tutors and students, enhancing the overall learning process.

2. Browne School of Art

One of the best advantages of Browne School of Art in Auckland is its comprehensive curriculum, with courses ranging from classical techniques to contemporary approaches. This includes year-long programs and specialised workshops for aspiring artists. 

The school also offers a BSA membership program, which allows students to participate in its art exhibitions, enjoy discounts on art supplies, and get free access to all its facilities.

Flexibility is also a major point here. Students can choose to attend either morning or evening classes, with an option to even take weekend courses. To further skills, holiday classes are also available to all. 

The only downside to Browne School of Art is its fees, as it focuses on four-year complete programs in the arts. Regardless, the offering is a far more profound approach to the arts, both in theory and practice. 

Knowledgeable and experienced teachers

“I enjoy the small classes because it enables the person teaching us to give us one on one time as person is at a different level than the next. The teachers are filled with experience and knowledge and it’s nice to learn something from someone who is passionate about art. I can’t wait for my next lesson!”

Camille-Claudel Nortje | Google Reviews

Amazing and welcoming environment

“Browne School of Art is an incredibly welcoming environment with amazing, experienced tutors and a great range of courses. Highly recommend.”

Holly Houston | Google Reviews

3. Aquarelle Art Classes

For kids, one of the best art schools we’ve encountered is Aquarelle Art Classes. In this school, classes are divided into ages 6 to 12 and 12 to 15, which ensures teaching methods are appropriate for their age groups and current skills.

Apart from the regular lessons, they also offer holiday programs for painting, which focus on acrylic and watercolour paint. And if a student happens to miss a lesson, they offer after-school classes so they can easily catch up. 

Besides painting, we also liked that they offer sewing courses. Through this, learners can sew bags, stuffed toys, and several other designs, allowing them to turn their 2D designs into 3D quality works.

The only downside is that there are sometimes miscommunications with class schedules. For instance, class times are sometimes changed without prior notice. Fortunately, this doesn’t seem like a major issue as there were only very few reports of this. 

Talented and lovely teachers

“Our girls have been doing after school at classes with Yulia for years. They have enjoyed learning a variety of art styles, from a talented and lovely teacher. They are both very confident young artists now, with a passion for exploring all things creative.”

Rachel Looi | Google Reviews

Classes to look forward to

“My daughter loves Yulia’s Art Classes so mach. She has been in the class for two years and looks forward to it every week. Even in school holiday, also ask to go up their holiday program. Highly recommend.”

Molly Zhang | Google Reviews

4. Art In Bloom Academy

With a track record of mentoring over 20,000 students, Art in Bloom Academy’s success and effectiveness is undeniable. 

What really stood out to us about the school is its emphasis on practical applications. So far, they have hosted over 300 events, from team-building to private parties, that showcase the students’ painting skills. 

The school’s focus on acrylic pouring is also advantageous in various ways. Not only do students get to master the art, but they can also showcase the pieces in the school’s online gallery and get sold for specific prices.

Beyond earning money for the students themselves, we also appreciate that they occasionally host fundraising events, wherein the proceeds from paintings go to local schools or non-profit organisations.

The downside to them, however, is that their classes tend to be fast-paced and not suitable for kids. Students in this art school tend to be teens and adults, which is the most appropriate age for the type of learning culture they have.

Can do much more than what they say

“This was a great work team event and very easy to organise with Art in Bloom. (We did it at Birdcage, which Art in Bloom coordinated / put us onto). Recommend asking what other painting options they have (based on the genre you want) because they can do much more than the initial ~12 options in their booklet.”

George Culver | Google Reviews

Amazing and professional staff

“Art in Bloom hosted a Life Drawing event for our work Christmas Party. It was an absolute HIT with the team. Their set up is so professional and really made us look good. Our host was Saskia, she did an amazing job of keeping everyone engage and having fun. Highly highly highly recommend these guys for your event” 

Kim Metahysa | Google Reviews

5. TsingMei Art Studio清美画室

When you walk into TsingMei Art Studio, the first thing that’ll catch your eye is the number of awards their students have won. These achievements, in our opinion, showcase the quality of education and training that students receive.

More than accolades, we were especially impressed with their digital art course offerings. This includes classes in animation, graphic design, and digital art. Additionally, they teach design, photography, and sculpting. 

For these modern art approaches, the school offers tools such as Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Sketchup. Supplies for traditional painting are also plentiful, ranging from colour pencils and watercolours to oil paints and acrylic. 

Beyond these offerings, the best thing we appreciate is that they offer scholarships, which we found advantageous since fees can be expensive here. For the record, they’ve granted over $1,000,000 worth of scholarships to more than 2,000 students. 

Teachings are detailed and fun

“Learnt a-lot from the digital design classes. The teacher is really good at giving feedback and really goes in detail the features of the software which made it easy and fun to learn.”

Max Zhang | Google Reviews

Lovely atmosphere and personalised approach

“Very memorable years in Tsingmei. I have learned a range of skills and techniques from the teachers. Lovely drawing atmosphere here. Personalised approach for every senior student. Younger children are also able to try various types of visual art. Professional advice on helping me develop my own ideas and interests. Definitely worth coming!”

Chuyue Wang | Google Reviews

6. SEN ART ACADEMY

Sen Art Academy stands out because its courses cater to students’ skill levels. For younger students, its courses teach shapes, colours, and the basics of drawing and painting, while more advanced learners focus on practice.

The art styles they teach include sketching, digital art, and oil painting (which is only available for students over the age of 12). Their lessons can be conducted in one-to-one or one-to-two settings to ensure that each teacher can better guide their students.

The only downside is that their digital art courses have limited slots. We recommend checking in early if you’re interested, as this is one of the school’s most in-demand offerings. 

The final masterpieces of each student are showcased in their online exhibits. Primary art students, for example, have their own kids’ art channel. This allows them to show their own art without being compared to much older students.

Professional art school

“This is the most professional art educational course”

Wang Holly | Google Reviews