Creative hubs: Art schools shaping Dubai’s artistic minds
Do you love to draw and paint? Are you always thinking of creative ways to use spare materials at home? Many art schools in Dubai offer the best resources to boost your creativity and indulge in your love for art. Enrol in any art school in Dubai and improve your artistic skills with the proper guidance. These schools will aid you in channelling your inner Picasso or Da Vinci and help you put together your amazing portfolio.
Best Art Schools in Dubai
When it comes to choosing an art school, there are a lot of factors in play. From the type of courses they offer to the environment of the institute, everything counts when finalising your decision. Dubai art schools ensure the best education in an interactive environment that encourages you to explore your inner talent and creativity.
Dubai International Art Centre
Our top pick is the Dubai International Art Centre. Commonly abbreviated to DIAC, it is one of the most popular art institutes in Dubai. Since its inception, it has operated under different names; The Dubai Arts Centre, Folk Art Charity Association for Teaching and Showing and finally as the Dubai International Art Centre.
The centre organises various art exhibitions and offers drawing and painting courses in Dubai. Currently, it offers abstract painting, watercolour, Arabic calligraphy,and oil painting courses. Interested in the world of pottery? You can learn all about pottery making too! Through these courses, you can learn to make beautiful clay sculptures.
Art Courses in Dubai International Art Centre
The art classes in Dubai International Art Centre include the following.
Abstract Painting with Diyali Bhalla
The course introduces you to techniques of texture, printing and various painting mediums like charcoal, acrylic and oils.
- Day/Timings: Tuesday: 10:00 am – 01:00 pm; Wednesday: 06:30 pm – 09:30 pm; Thursday 10:00 am to 01:00 pm
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Fee: AED 2,050
Creative Watercolour for Beginners/Intermediate/Advanced with Beena Samuel
This Dubai art programme offers insight into monoprinting and textures, teaching you how to make images with water pigment effects.
- Day/Time: Monday: 10:00 am to 01:00 pm
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Fee: AED 1,480
Drawing and Painting for all with Alem Goshime
This artistic course in Dubai teaches you all about drawing and painting. Make sure to bring materials that you want to use. Suggested options include drawing paper, HB, 2B, 6B pencil or charcoal.
- Day/Time: Saturday: 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm, Wednesday: 10:30 am to 01:30 pm: Thursday: 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm; Friday: 10:00 am to 01:00 am or 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm
- Duration: 12 weeks,
- Fee: AED 2,050
Arabic/English Calligraphy with Tauseef Al-Mulla
This course from the Dubai art school familiarises you with alphabets, pronunciation and three prevalent styles, including Ruqa, Deewani or Naskhi.
- Day/Time: Saturday: 02:30 pm- 04:30 pm or Monday: 09:30 pm to 12:30 pm
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Fee: AED 1,650 | fee is separate for materials
Apart from these courses, DIAC offers palette knife painting, still life painting and silk painting courses.
- Location: Villa # 27, Street 75b, Jumeirah 1
- Contact: +971-4-344-4398
The Palette Art, Dubai
Started out by Ritwika Chaudhuri, who is an art enthusiast herself, Palette Art is one of the top art schools in Dubai. It offers basic drawing, sketching and painting classes in Dubai for kids and adults. These courses vary based on the number of days, duration, age group and prices.
Courses for Teens and Adults at The Palette Art
The Palette Art offers these courses.
Drawing and Painting Course
This course covers the basics of sketching and working with watercolours and oil paints. The six-month course applies to students at all levels.
- Day/Timings: Saturday and Wednesday (mornings and afternoons)
- Cost: Call to know
Clay Sculpture
This course focuses on proportions, forms and detailing of sculptures. It includes four sessions with two hours for each.
- Day/Timings: Sunday mornings
- Cost: Call to know
Courses for Kids at The Palette Art
Aside from single courses, The Palette Art also offers classes for kids and teens. These are based on an annual schedule with varying monthly payments and term fees depending on the discipline chosen. Those interested can find the term calendar on the official website.
All in all, the centre is considered among popular places for painting and drawing classes in Dubai.
- Location: Yes Business Centre Building, Office Suite No. 501, Al Barsha 1
- Timings: 10:00 am – 08:00 pm, Fri: closed
- Contact: +971-4-553-9477
Lotus Art School Dubai
Waiting to create your own masterpiece? With Lotus Art School’s courses, you can learn to make a strong statement in the artistic world. It offers fundamental painting and drawing classes in Dubai.
The introductory course covers art history, visual literacy, the relationship between mathematics and art, colour theory, drawing techniques and the effects of light and shadow in a drawing.
Drawing and painting courses, however, focus on the basics of human anatomy and techniques to use watercolours or oil pastels to create a beautiful art piece.
- Location: Office G01, Block 13, Dubai
- Timings: 10:00 am – 06:00 pm, Fri: closed
- Contact: +971-4-391-1718
Art Kala Fine Arts
Next up on the list of art institutes in Dubai is Art Kala Fine Arts. It offers sessions for drawing, watercolours and oil painting. Furthermore, the institute caters to those interested in learning about acrylic and mural painting.
- Location: Al- Murjan Tower, Amman St
- Timings: 10:30 am to 07:00 pm, 10:00 am to 07:30 pm (Friday and Saturday), closed on Monday
- Contact: +971-4-238-0095
We Love Art
Born out of sheer passion, We Love Art holds the distinction of being one of the most accredited art institutes in Dubai. It offers eight-week painting courses, helping you to learn new skills and meeting like-minded individuals.
The courses cover fundamental techniques and principles as well as experimenting with a few painting styles. The institute offers food and beverages during the classes. You will also get a certificate at the end of the courses.
- Location: InterContinental, Dubai Marina
- Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm; closed Saturday and Sunday
- Contact: +971-4-56-769-1995
Art Schools in Dubai for Kids
Ocean Kids Dubai
Ocean Kids is a hub of art education in Dubai. It is also considered among the best dance schools for kids in Dubai.
A weekly group session is conducted in a non-competitive atmosphere, encouraging children to tap into their creative zone. The session lasts for about an hour.
- Location: Hamsah Building 210, Above Ansar Gallery, Al Karama | Platinum Business Center 501, Al Nahda
- Timings: 10:00 am – 08:30 pm, Friday and Saturday: 09:30 am – 06:30 pm, Thursday: closed
- Contact: +971-4-370-9676 (Al Karama) | +971-4-280-8178 (Al Nahda)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which art events can I attend in the emirate?
One of the most popular is Art Dubai. The annual event features over 100 exhibitors from over 40 countries.
Where can my kids learn to cook?
You can sign them up for culinary classes for kids in Dubai. Check out what various cooking programmes in the emirate have on offer.
Where can kids learn to play musical instruments in Dubai?
Your child can become a musical virtuoso at the top music schools for kids in Dubai. The list includes Dubai Music School and Thomsun Music Institute, among others.
And that brings an end to our list of art schools in Dubai. Want to hone your skills at home? Stock up on supplies at the Art and crafts shops in Dubai.
Apart from these, you can enrol your kids to dance schools in Dubai if they want to become revered artists.
Which art school would you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.