6 Resources for Arts Opportunities in Chicagoland Area

Although homeschooling can offer countless benefits academically, many find themselves lacking exposure to the arts which are typically incorporated into a traditional schooling system. It is important for your student to be exposed to the arts not only for their diploma but also for their development as well-rounded and thoughtful individuals. The arts can help your student to think creatively, perceive detail, and increase concentration. It can also be an opportunity to make friends and explore new interests. Although adding the arts to your schooling may seem daunting, there are endless opportunities for the arts in the Chicagoland area that welcome homeschool students. Here are six suggestions that offer high-quality lessons in music, voice, dance, or arts and crafts.

1. Kaleidoscope School of Fine Arts

Kaleidoscope School of Fine Art offers several unique arts opportunities for homeschooled students such as painting, working with clay, drawing, cartooning, and even paper mache. They offer several opportunities for learning including private lessons, group sessions, summer camps, and birthday parties.

2. Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Jazz Academy

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Jazz Academy provides Saturday classes for young students at any level both throughout the school year and during summer intensives. Students will obtain a music education in theory, technique, aesthetic creativity, improvisation, and self-expression.

3. Academy of Movement and Music

The Academy of Movement and Music offers a wide variety of classes such as dance, pilates, piano, guitar, violin, and voice lessons. With several opportunities to perform, students gain not only technical and physical skills but also performative qualities and experience. Classes are offered to preschool through pre-professional and to students of all backgrounds or experience levels.

4. Pro Musica Youth Chorus

Pro Musica Youth Chorus is an excellent opportunity for homeschooled students to gain choir experience. Students 2nd through 12th grade are placed in an ensemble with others who are similar in age and ability. The smaller class sizes also enable students to receive individualized attention and build meaningful relationships. Students obtain a valuable musical education, develop their vocal skills, and are given rare performance opportunities.

5. Maywood Fine Arts

Maywood Fine Arts is a wonderful school for several art forms including dance, music, piano, voice, guitar, drums, tumbling, art, drama, karate, bass, and ukulele. Maywood Fine Arts not only provides high-quality classes but also seeks to help students with financial difficulties such as tuition and attire. The instructors are dedicated to each student and seek to not only provide an arts education but create an environment where each student can thrive and succeed.

6. It’s Sew Simple with Sandy

It’s Sew Simple With Sandy is a wonderful program developed by Sandy Plahetka for students who want to create through sewing. Sandy offers project base courses that are only an hour and a half and will teach your student the basics of sewing. Sandy also offers courses where your student can continue their learning by building their sewing skills over time. Through Sandy’s classes, students will also create useful and fun things that they can use moving forward.

These are only a few examples of the resources in the Chicagoland area that could help your student expand their studies and gain skills in areas outside of their academics. If none of these resources work well for you, I hope they have sparked an idea for you moving forward.