A: If every picture looks identical, students may be practicing copying rather than thinking. Our goal isn’t to teach students how to “be perfect.” We teach common foundations and structure but we really want students to develop individual ideas and solutions to the puzzles and problems our projects present them.

A: Most students will not become professional artists. The value of a Hongyun Art education extends beyond just art making. The Hongyun Art way focuses on observation, idea generation, problem-solving, visual communication, teamwork, EQ, decision-making, revision, persistence, and turning an idea into something real.

The Hongyun Art way is to ensure hard work IS having fun.

A: As technology makes routine production easier, original thinking, judgment, imagination, communication, and the ability to develop new ideas become more valuable. Our program uses art as a practical environment for developing those human capabilities.

Hongyun Art has been preparing students for the age of Ai since before the age of Ai

A: Hongyun offers programs for children from ages 4 to 18. The curriculum changes as students grow: younger students receive more structure and guidance, while older students take on more technical challenges, creative decisions, and independent problem-solving

A: No. Students do not need previous art experience. We teach step-by-step foundations and help each student build skills from their current level.

A: Yes! Students come to art school to learn. Teachers break difficult projects into manageable steps so students can build technical skill, confidence, and independence. We teach students not only to create art but to enjoy the process of working through and developing complex ideas!

A: Sure!  We can sometimes have parents and prospective students to walk through the studio for a quick tour but generally we limit times to ensure classes are not disturbed as we have several open studio areas.

A: Every student comes for a tryout class where we get to know them and various aspects about them.  They get a chance to see how our classes work and see if it’s a good fit for them.  We have a proprietary level system that looks at their motor skills, attention span, decision-making abilities, and creative independence skills.  

A: Classes are organized to give students an age-appropriate learning experience while teachers also respond to individual ability.

A:  Yes!  Visit hongyunart.com/tryout to register for a tryout class.

A: We ask that you arrive about 10-15 minutes before the class start time so we can take your release forms and give you a quick tour of the studio.

A: You only need to bring you release form to the studio for tryout class. Digital Art students should bring their charged iPad and Pencil along with the appropriate app already installed.

A: Unfortunately, parents are not allowed to stay or observe classes. This is part of our culture in order to ensure that students perform well and respond to teachers independently. Students who are unable to stay in class without a parent present are not ready for our classes.

A: Class times vary by level. Our youngest students (age 4 - 5) start with 90 minute classes. Classes can run all the way up to 2hr 45min for our middle and high schoolers preparing their AP Art and College Portfolios.

Our full schedule is available is at hongyunart.com/schedule

A: Students attend class once per week at their set class time.

AP Studio Art/College Portfolio students can attend class for unlimited time each week for the same tuition cost.

A: Tuition depends on when you join regular classes as we prorate. Our tuition rate is posted at hongyunart.com/tryout

A: For sculpture classes, yes, we include the supplies.

For Core Art, Sketching, and College Portfolio, we provide fine art papers and canvas. Students are expected to have their own art supplies they bring to class each week. For the list, please visit hongyunart.com/supplies

A: Yes. 2nd/3rd siblings pay 10% off the full tuition if enrolled in the same semester or the same summer/winter break camp week.

Students who take two or more classes (for example Core Art & Digital Art), receive a 10% discount on the 2nd/3rd class.

We do offer larger discounts for current students when renewing during early registration periods.

A: Our withdrawl/refund policy is listed at hongyunart.com/makeup

A: Depending on age and project, students learn drawing and sketching, proportion, perspective, construction, composition, shading and value, light and shadow, 3D form, color, rendering, detail, craftsmanship, creative design, and visual storytelling.

Most of our projects are open-ended and ask students to put their creativity and own ideas into their work.

A: Projects may use pencil, graphite, colored pencil, marker, watercolor, and acrylic paint, and other age-appropriate media.  We scale the range of mediums as students grow and develop.

A: No. Teachers demonstrate important foundations and techniques, especially when a concept is new. Once students understand the structure, teachers encourage freedom and students are encouraged to make their own creative decisions. We do not encourage a classroom full of identical artwork.

A: Our approach can be summarized as Structure -> Creativity -> Craftsmanship -> Sharing. Students first learn the foundation, then develop their own ideas, improve craftsmanship, and have opportunities to share or discuss their work.

A: We give students a foundation and a problem to solve rather than simply an image to copy. Students are encouraged to make choices, develop ideas, experiment, and create individual solutions. We ask students practice being fearless and decisive each project.

A: Yes. Our structured curriculum and level system gives students just the right amount of technicality. As students mature, projects become more technically and creatively demanding. Teachers gradually transfer more responsibility to the student so they learn to work independently.

A: The Hongyun Art Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created to expand leadership and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. We invest time and money in entrepreneurial, artistic, and community projects lead by Hongyun Art students in middle and high school.

Learn more at hyafound.org

A: GEI — Global Education Initiative — is a two-week international education, service and leadership experience organized through Hongyun Art Foundation.

GEI is built around a simple idea: young people grow when they step outside the world they already know.

During the first week, students immerse themselves in an underserved community, working directly with local students. During the second week, students move into a developed urban environment such as Japan, where they take on a different challenge: independence, planning and leadership.

It is not simply a trip. It is two very different worlds — and two very different kinds of learning.

hyafound.org/gei to learn more

A: Students are supported by art teachers, lead & floating teachers, and Teaching Assistants.

Our teachers are highly trained artists with art degrees, industry experience, and a passion for teaching. Our teacher selection criteria is rigorous - we interview less than 1% of applicants and only allow the best of the best to work with our students.

Lead teachers and floating teachers supervise and support our classes to ensure students are always able to get the support they need to accomplish their biggest ideas and create their newest masterpieces.

A: TAs help prepare students and materials, monitor progress, provide guidance, identify students who need extra support, and help teachers keep the classroom organized and productive.

A: It depends on the level and even the dynamics of each class - we allow teachers to make the call to limit class sizes to ensure that they are always able to give each and every student tailored feedback and personalized interaction. Our goal is to always ensure that teachers and teaching assistants are able to provide the most engaging and productive teaching environment.

A: Teachers and TAs actively monitor students rather than simply delivering one demonstration to the whole room. Students who need additional help can receive targeted support.

A: The amount of help depends on age, ability, and stage of the project. Younger students and students learning difficult foundations may receive more hands-on guidance. As skills improve, teachers intentionally reduce assistance so students become independent.

Teachers and Teaching Assistants focus on encouraging students to create their own work rather than relying on teachers for templates, copying, or tracing. We want truly original work to come from our students hands and mind.

A: Teachers and TAs identify students who are struggling or falling behind and provide targeted support. A TA may work near a student who needs more assistance.

A: Teachers are authorized to allow students to come in for extra classes to improve and finish their projects for no added cost if they see the students need it.

A: Teachers challenge students to improve craftsmanship, add meaningful detail, strengthen technique, or extend the creative problem rather than simply considering the project finished.

A: Yes! We build in art competition work into our curriculum and actively share and encourage appropriate art competitions and other opportunities for students.

A: Handouts and signs at the front of the studio plus emails make competitions, events, deadlines, and announcements easier for families to discover and follow.

A: Yes! If you have a competition piece that you’d like to work on that is not a part of curriculum, please discuss with our front desk a time your child can come in to work on the piece. There is an extra fee that applies since students will work with teachers not during class time.

A: Creative Challenges give students and families a fun problem or theme that encourages imagination, participation, and creative thinking beyond regular class projects. We will have a few of these throughout the school year.

A: Teachers evaluate progress through projects, skill development, creativity, craftsmanship, and problem-solving. We look at the learning process as well as the finished picture.

Teachers do written evaluations once in the Spring and once in the Fall semesters as well.

A: Teachers and staff communicate relevant progress and concerns to families.

Teachers do written evaluations once in the Spring and once in the Fall semesters as well.

A: Students will take home their artwork at the end of every project except for AP/College Portfolio students.

Parents are encouraged to download the Hongyun Art App to gain access to scanned artwork, AP Studio Art portfolios, student schedules (and makeup schedules), as well as student progress on Congressional Award,

A: The Hongyun Art App is the best way to gain access to scanned artwork and AP Studio Art portfolios, to schedule makeups, as well as to check on a student’s progress towards earning the Congressional Award.

A: Yes. Hongyun Art has extensive experience with AP Art and college portfolio development. The program supports students in developing technically strong, original bodies of work. Our students score a 5 at a much higher percentage than the national average.

Please visit our AP Art page for more detailed info

A: No. This is a common misunderstanding that AP Art is for students intending to study art in college. The truth is that advanced art and portfolio work benefit students who use art to gain college credit and to submit as supplemental portfolios for all majors. Most Ivy League schools and majors now expect some kind of artistic showcase as part of a student’s application in order to ensure the student is well rounded and has creative thinking mindset.

A: 8th and 9th grade are the best time to start AP Studio Art as we aim to have students submit by the spring of their Sophomore year. The intent is to have students submit in 10th grade so it frees up time in 11th grade for other AP coursework.

A: We help with arranging supplemental art submission for college applications.

A: Our AP score results are much higher than the national average. We usually have about 60-70% of students scoring a 5 (national average is about 11-12% annually).