We get it, Singapore’s school curriculum can be stressful for the young ones. That’s why helping to foster your child’s creativity and interest in the arts is important. Come onboard Canvas Ark, SAFRA’s first kids’ art programme with two locations in SAFRA Choa Chu Kang and SAFRA Toa Payoh.
Unique from other art workshops for kids, Canvas Ark’s curriculum has been designed to encourage creativity and instil confidence in students aged 4 to 12. Their programmes are guided by a team of trained visual art instructors focusing on the 5 Artistic Processes: Inspiration, Imagination, Expression, Experimentation, and Presentation.
Art Explorer Programme (4 to 6 years old)
If your kid is aged 4 to 6 years old, enrol them into the Art Explorer programme. The course is for little Picassos who are new to art, introducing them to various art mediums. Through the programme, children learn through play and experience the fun of creating and feeling with different art forms.
“I started with drawing a chameleon and I painted it with acrylic paint. After that, I drew lines on a tree branch. I also added dots on the body of the chameleon,” chimes 6-year-old Megan Loh Hui Ru. She enjoys attending Teacher Elycia’s classes, whose lessons she looks forward to. The classes are conducted in small groups, ensuring that each child gets the attention they need.
Kids learn a variety of skills through play – such as observational skills, finger dexterity, primary colours, simple shape association, and touching and exploring new materials. After which, they can bring their artworks home to display, something Megan looks forward to doing.
Art Seeker Programme (7 to 10 years old)
The Art Seeker Programme is perfect for those aged 7 to 10. This is where children start exploring artistic concepts, as attested by 10-year-old Jayashreya Sanjeev Nambiar.
“I did several things, for example, learn foundations about drawing, painting, and we also learnt the elements of art and the principles of art,” she tells us. “We have also done other topics like Juxtaposition and Pointillism.”
In fact, some adults may even be seeing those words for the first time, with the latter referring to a painting technique where small, distinct dots of colour are applied in patterns to form an image. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn from your young aspiring artist at the end of each class.
At this level, the teachers are trained to teach foundations of drawing skills, an understanding of colour and value, and let the kids explore different tools and artistic mediums.
“I liked that Teacher Ruth helped us understand art and explained art deeper for us, and asked everyone for their opinions,” Jayashreya tells us.
See these Canvas Ark students having fun at the Tote Bag Painting Programme!
Art Adventurer Programme (10 to 12 years old)
Children aged 10 to 12 years can build on their learnings and fine-tune their skills at the Art Adventurer Programme. This is where they’ll progress to intermediate drawing skills, perspective and composition, visual and spatial skills, and increased hand-eye coordination.
Thanks to the guidance of Teacher Ruth, 10-year-old Aaraiya Bora is well-acquainted with the elements of art, as well as the basic art principles. This is where she’s refining her drawing skills, resulting in pieces that she’s proud to display at home. With the skills that she’s learned, she hopes to be able to draw a self-portrait of herself one day.
Advance Art Programme (above 12 years)
While it’s a good idea to get the children started young, there’s no limit to creativity! Kids aged 12 and above can continue to develop their artistic talents at Canvas Ark’s Advance Art Programme. It’s also a great opportunity for those seeking to build up their portfolio.
“Through Canvas Ark, I get to enhance my technical skills, cover areas I have yet to explore and work on moving further with my O-level coursework,” says Carie Oh Jing Xuan, 16. The student at Canvas Ark at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang enjoys working on her own ideas, the research process, and exploring new mediums. She also appreciates receiving feedback from her teacher.
When asked what her favourite part of the class is, she says: “When Teacher Ruth teaches me a new technique that I can use to make my work look better and I try it out and it then actually works and looks much better!”
“One specific work that I really had a love-hate relationship with was the still-life acrylic painting. It was hard to get the details right but I liked how nicely it turned out,” she adds.
Watch these Canvas Ark students create a painting in the style of Andy Warhol!
Nurture your young artists at Canvas Ark
With programmes spanning across different age groups, you’re bound to find one that suits your child’s learning ability. Besides the regular programmes, Canvas Ark runs holiday workshops such as Art Jam, 2D Clay Workshop, Artist Series, and Batik Workshop. Hey, it’s never too early to start making plans for the holidays now!
SAFRA members enjoy exclusive rates on all programmes and workshops. Find out more now at safra.sg/canvasark
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