Core Program
2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR: August 25, 2025—June 6, 2026
YEAR-LONG COURSES FOR K-12 & ADULT STUDENTS
ENROLLMENT IN THE CORE PROGRAM IS ONGOING/LONG-TERM
AS A CONTINUOUS PROGRAM, SPACES FOR NEW STUDENTS EACH YEAR ARE VERY LIMITED
NEW STUDENTS MAY APPLY TO ENROLL THROUGHOUT SUMMER 2025 TO JOIN IN CLASSES THAT HAVE OPENINGS
TUITION IN NON-REFUNDABLE—THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY
MISSED CLASSES ARE NOT CREDITED—STUDENTS IN THE CORE PROGRAM ARE ACCOMMODATED WITH—AND EXPECTED TO ATTEND—MAKE-UP CLASSES
PAYMENT PLANS MAY BE ARRANGED UPON REQUEST
STUDENTS ENROLLING MID-YEAR MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRORATED TUITION
LIMITED SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE—VISIT THE SCHOLARSHIP PAGE TO APPLY
THE ANNUAL TUITION FOR THE CORE PROGRAM IS PAID BY INVOICE IN 3 INSTALLMENTS THROUGHOUT THE 36-WEEK SCHOOL YEAR—PAID IN THE FALL, WINTER, SPRING—THE 1ST INSTALLMENT IS DUE UPON ENROLLMENT, AND THEREAFTER, IS DUE 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH 12-WEEK TRIMESTER
TUITION FOR ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE, SECONDARY & TERTIARY ART, AND PORTFOLIO IS $650 PER TRIMESTER
TUITION FOR PRIMARY ART IS $450 PER TRIMESTER (EXCEPT FOR WEDNESDAYS 3-4:30 WHICH IS $650/TRIMESTER)
Courses in the Core Program run throughout the Academic Year, with fall, winter, spring and summer breaks. Enrollment in the Core Program is ongoing and long-term, and tuition installments and trimesters do not signify distinct sessions. Core Program students continue year-to-year in their same group until they advance into a new course level or a transfer is requested. Typically students continue in the Core Program for many continuous years, so spaces for new students to enroll each year are very limited. If a student wishes to transfer to a different course day/time mid-year, a scheduling accommodation will be made if possible. If a student plans to withdraw from the Core Program, a one-month written notice is required.
All courses in the Core Program are created and taught by Director Shannon Rae Fincke and designed around an original thematic and sequential curriculum that introduce various processes, concepts, techniques and media. Children and Teen courses are designed for students to continuously progress from Kindergarten through 12th grade—Adult courses are open to all levels. Students progress through each school year to the creation of a personally significant and substantial body of work. Students develop skills and personal ideas while exploring different methods and materials, and creating experimental and highly developed original artwork. Contemporary and traditional approaches are investigated—emphasizing art elements, principles, concepts, composition, media, and individualized style and subject matter. All work made by students in the Core Program is exhibited annually in an end-of-year art show.
PRIMARY ART
STUDENTS AGES 5-8
GRADES K-3
THURSDAYS 3-4PM
SATURDAYS 9-10AM
STUDENTS AGES 6-8
GRADES 2-3
WEDNESDAYS 3-4:30PM
ELEMENTARY ART
STUDENTS AGES 8-11
GRADES 3-6
MONDAYS 3-4:30PM
TUESDAYS 2-3:30PM
TUESDAYS 3:30-5PM
WEDNESDAYS 3-4:30PM
SATURDAYS 10-11:30AM
INTERMEDIATE ART
STUDENTS AGES 11-14
GRADES 6-9
MONDAYS 4:30-6PM
TUESDAYS 3:30-5PM
WEDNESDAYS 4:30-6PM
THURSDAYS 4:30-6PM
THURSDAYS 5:30-7PM
SATURDAYS 11:30AM-1PM
SECONDARY ART
STUDENTS AGES 14-18
GRADES 9-12
MONDAYS 4:30-6PM
WEDNESDAYS 4:30-6PM
THURSDAYS 4:30-6PM
THURSDAYS 5:30-7PM
SATURDAYS 11:30AM-1PM
TERTIARY ART
STUDENTS AGES 18+
ADULTS—ALL AGES
WEDNESDAYS 12:30-2PM
THURSDAYS 7-10PM (MEETS BIWEEKLY)
PORTFOLIO PREP
STUDENTS AGES 12+
FOR HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
INDIVIDUALIZED PORTFOLIO PREPARATION
TUESDAYS 3:30-6PM
THURSDAYS 4:30-6PM
SATURDAYS 11:30AM-1PM
CORE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT APPLICATION
As a parent to a student at Institute for Visual Arts since they were five-years-old, it makes me so proud to see them develop skills not only as an artist, but as a unique individual. IVA has given my child the confidence to experiment without fear of judgment. Shannon always puts her students first, encouraging them to find their own voice, and I love going to the end of year gallery shows where I can witness the many different perspectives showcased. My child is always so excited to go to art every weekend, often staying beyond the allotted time. To watch my child work at home for hours on a project and to hear them speak so passionately about their art really goes to show how dedicated Shannon is to teaching kids in a way that encourages discipline and self-expression. It's something so important in a world that is addicted to screens, so as parents we're so grateful for these skills. My husband and I feel so lucky to have found a teacher, mentor and friend in Shannon. We are so proud of the artistic growth we've witnessed in our child over the many years, but more importantly, we're so impressed with the way Shannon has led her classroom, fostering a community of creativity and unbiased acceptance. With much gratitude.
—Quyen Tran, IVA Parent Since 2019
My son started art classes at Institute for Visual Arts a decade ago when he was five years old and had just entered kindergarten. I figured it would be a great way to supplement his overall education and he loved to doodle but I honestly did not understand just how special Shannon and her teaching was until the end of that first year when we went to see the year end show – the level of creative artistry and work from the youngest kids to the oldest adults was so inspiring. This is not arts & crafts after school. This is an education in form, function, imagination, exploration, and creative passion for each and every student that walks through her doors. I was so impressed that a few years later I finally decided to nurture my own creative longings by enrolling in the Core Program—I needed a place to explore ideas outside my day to day work as a filmmaker but it has become an important and therapeutic way for me to be inspired again without the pressure to succeed, to sell, or to impress. To be human is to be an artist and Shannon has created a nurturing and supportive space for anyone of any age and any skill level to find their voice.
—Diane Becker, IVA Parent Since 2015 & Student Since 2018