Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

Ages 7–14

September 11, 2025 - June 11*, 2026

*Class extended by one week to June 11!*

The same PRECAD you love, one hour shorter!

The Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD) offers students aged 7 to 14 a structured introduction to classical drawing and painting. Rooted in traditional academic methods, the curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency through carefully sequenced instruction and hands-on practice.

Students engage in projects that build essential skills in proportion, structure, value, and composition—forming the foundation for lifelong visual literacy. This early training also supports the development of graphomotor coordination and observational acuity.

Beyond technical skill-building, the program fosters creative exploration and encourages individual expression within a framework of historical context. Students are introduced to a wide range of artistic traditions through illustrated lectures and guided discussions, expanding their awareness of global art history.

The PRECAD curriculum is designed not only to produce confident young artists, but to instill an enduring appreciation for the discipline, creativity, and cultural depth of the visual arts.

This year’s program will be richer than ever before, featuring new special-topic lectures and expanded opportunities for off-site visits to museums and cultural institutions, further enriching students’ understanding, and life long appreciation of the arts.

Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

Ages 7–14

September 14, 2025 - June 14, 2026*

*Extended one week due to snow cancellations*

The Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD) offers students aged 7 to 14 a structured introduction to classical drawing and painting. Rooted in traditional academic methods, the curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency through carefully sequenced instruction and hands-on practice.

Students engage in projects that build essential skills in proportion, structure, value, and composition—forming the foundation for lifelong visual literacy. This early training also supports the development of graphomotor coordination and observational acuity.

Beyond technical skill-building, the program fosters creative exploration and encourages individual expression within a framework of historical context. Students are introduced to a wide range of artistic traditions through illustrated lectures and guided discussions, expanding their awareness of global art history.

The PRECAD curriculum is designed not only to produce confident young artists, but to instill an enduring appreciation for the discipline, creativity, and cultural depth of the visual arts. 

This year’s program will be richer than ever before, featuring new special-topic lectures and expanded opportunities for off-site visits to museums and cultural institutions, further enriching students’ understanding, and life long appreciation of the arts.

Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

Ages 7–14

September 14, 2025 - June 7, 2026

The Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD) offers students aged 7 to 14 a structured introduction to classical drawing and painting. Rooted in traditional academic methods, the curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency through carefully sequenced instruction and hands-on practice.

Students engage in projects that build essential skills in proportion, structure, value, and composition—forming the foundation for lifelong visual literacy. This early training also supports the development of graphomotor coordination and observational acuity.

Beyond technical skill-building, the program fosters creative exploration and encourages individual expression within a framework of historical context. Students are introduced to a wide range of artistic traditions through illustrated lectures and guided discussions, expanding their awareness of global art history.

The PRECAD curriculum is designed not only to produce confident young artists, but to instill an enduring appreciation for the discipline, creativity, and cultural depth of the visual arts.

This year’s program will be richer than ever before, featuring new special-topic lectures and expanded opportunities for off-site visits to museums and cultural institutions, further enriching students’ understanding, and life long appreciation of the arts.

Dates: 

Session 1 - Level 2* (5 weeks): 4/7/26 - 5/8/2026

Session 2 (5 weeks): 5/12/26 - 6/12/26

*Level 2 is designed for students that have enrolled in PRECAD Jr before or have experience in introductory art lessons. This class builds on what they have learnt about color mixing, drawing and other concepts.

Schedule: Tuesdays & Fridays, 4:30–5:30 PM

Location: This class is located at our 10 Nassau St location

We are delighted to introduce PRECAD Junior, a brand-new five-week program designed especially for our youngest aspiring artists. Meeting twice a week, this course provides children ages 5–7 with a joyful and structured introduction to art-making.

Students will strengthen grapho-motor skills while exploring creativity, penmanship, and early academic art principles. Students will be be introduced to the traditions of classical drawing, offering them a foundation that supports both artistic and academic growth.

*Ask us about our sibling discounts! Send us an email at enrollment@princetonacademyofart.com*

When: Wednesdays 5:30pm-7:30pm

Session 1 (5 weeks): 4/8/26 - 5/6/26

Session 2 (5 weeks): 5/13/26 - 6/10/26

Where: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23

           Princeton, NJ 08542

Now offering the PRECAD class you know and love, but in a five week express course! This class is perfect for students aged 7 to 13 that are interested in developing foundational skills in drawing and painting. Students will be introduced to foundational academic art tehniques through various projects. They will work from references and from life, providing them with the crucial skills to translate 3-dimensional scenes onto 2-dimensional surfaces.

All materials are included.

KIDS CONSTRUCTIVE DRAWING CAMP

July 8 - July 10 (Wed to Fri)

9:00am-12:00pm

*This class will be held at our second location at 10 Nassau St, Suite 23*

This focused three-day camp introduces students to the foundations of constructive drawing. Participants learn how to build objects from simple geometric forms, understand proportion, and organize space on the page with clarity and structure. Through guided demonstrations and individual instruction, students practice translating observation into solid, dimensional drawings. Emphasis is placed on careful looking, logical construction, and developing confidence in line and form.

All materials are included.

Location: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23

Session 1: July 13, 2026 - July 17, 2026

Session 2: July 20, 2026 - July 24, 2026

9:00am - 3:00pm

*This camp is located at our 10 Nassau St Location*

The Studio Foundations Art Camp is a week-long program that introduces students to academic drawing and painting, as we ll as other creative crafting mediums. Created for motivated young artists from beginners to advanced, the camp combines strong technical instruction with creative exploration suited to each age group.

Students will develop essential skills in drawing and painting while working across a range of subjects and materials. Additional projects will include clay sculpture, plaster casting, sketchbook compositions, and more. Students will also have short field trip opportunities to the Princeton University Art Museum.

All materials are included.

Session 1: July 27, 28, & 29 (Monday-Wednesday)

Session 2: August 5, 6, & 7 (Wednesday-Friday)

9:00AM - 12:00PM

*This camp is located at our 10 Nassau St location*

Painting Explorations is a three-day studio program designed to introduce young artists to the foundations of observational painting. Working with gouache, students will learn how to observe shape, color, and light while creating paintings from both still life arrangements and landscape subjects.

Each day, students will be guided through structured demonstrations and hands-on practice, developing skills in color mixing, brush handling, and simple compositional design. 

Classes meet from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM each day over three consecutive days, providing a focused and supportive environment where students can build foundational painting skills and complete a series of finished works.