Art History Classes in Chicago, IL

The course will be on the evolution of the French Renaissance, focusing on the redesign of Fontainebleau by Francois I. We will learn how the School of Fointainebleau was inspired by Italian artists brought on by Francois I and how the style bean to permeate all aspects of French arts, outside of solely interior design. Artists who we will be discussed...

As protests against systemic racism continues, the significance of monuments has been thrust into the cultural spotlight. Who or what should they represent? Can or should they be removed? And what is to replace them? In this course we’ll focus on artists of color who address these questions by exploring ideas of history, identity and power. Skill...

Where can we start with Art? From cave paintings to the work being created right now, this speed-date with a complex discipline will whet your appetite for the art that is all around us. We’ll discuss artists’ traditional and radical roles around the world, connecting style, structure, and meaning in new ways. Week 1: Thinking globally, looking...

Visual Earthquakes: How Photography Changed the Course of Art When in 1839, photography was first presented to the world, it caused a storm of excitement and an undercurrent of disquiet. Photographers and artists spent decades experimenting with techniques while critics debated the nature of this new, world-changing invention. This course maps the...

This class dives into photography’s journey for its roots to the present day. The 19th century covers the inception of photography: the inventors, processes, rapid growth, the American Civil War, and the post-war years up until about 1900. The early 20th century covers Modernism and its photographers between 1900 – 1960. The late 20th century...

Award winning cabaret performer and member of the 92Y Music Faculty, Michael Kirk Lane curates a series of conversations about the artform of cabaret in New York City. Welcoming performers, directors, and journalists, these conversations will delve into the history and current state of this unique performance style. Each conversation will also include...

This six week course is focused on experimentation and using accessible material. During this course, you will be encouraged to play and explore the sociopolitics of material. Throughout this hands-on process, you will explore the history of art and experimentation with a dedication to decolonization. Participants will continuously explore examples...

Interior design projects may involve totally new construction or the renovation, modernization, or refurbishment of an existing facility, space, or room. This course is intended for people who are considering a career in interior design. It provides a broad introduction to the profession and an overview of the education and requisite skills. The emphasis...

Understand primary, secondary, tertiary, and analogous colors, and how they fit into the complementary color circle.  Learn about hue, value, and intensity and how these terms translate to the Adobe suite of graphic design software. Students will work from digital color palettes, mix acrylic paints to see how colors affect each other and explore...

Introduction to the Prehistoric Principles of Composition & Design In this course students will learn some of the historic principles of design that many of the great artists have used in their work. In this six-week Zoom class, we will cover practical principles for creating strong, clear, and harmonic compositions that can easily be applied...

The Los Angeles Center of Photography is thrilled to produce a new four-part series on the history of photography. The series, offered once each season, will be divided into the genres of photography. This season features the overall history of photography, portraiture, fashion and nude. Next season will feature other genres, including documentary,...

Depictions of the nude body are inherently political. Even when presented as a purely aesthetic object, especially then, it’s imbued with meaning and context. In this online class, students will explore the history of photography and the nude and discuss the difference between nude, nakedness, and the implied nude in photography. We will investigate...

In this course, a wide range of photographic practices, from the medium’s conception in the 19th century to the modern uses of images via social media, appropriation, and storytelling including VR technology will be discussed.  By (re) addressing photography’s multiple histories: as an artistic medium, as social text, as a technological...

This online course will provide students with a forum to show and discuss their studio work for technical and conceptual feedback. These critiques will be supplemented through presentations and discussions on historical artists’ images, customized to hue with the work presented by the students. In a typical class, students will present work for...

As a developing artist, you need personalized, supportive evaluation to improve your techniques. This is your chance to bring your finished art and work-in-progress for respectful, careful feedback via group discussion and teacher-led demos. We'll pay special attention to your ability to convey the intricacy of your subject. Are your details complete?...