5 Popular Subjects for Art Classes Students Want to Take (Fall Guide)

The right class offerings can help your program attract new students and keep returning learners happy. We’ve written before about how to tailor classes to match your audience as well as ways to collect student feedback that can inform class planning. Those are both great sources of class ideas. 

Yet sometimes students don’t know exactly what they want until they see it. Plus, introducing new topics can attract new students. That’s why we’re tapping into trends to spot some popular subjects for art classes. 

Each of these recommendations is based on keyword research, social media trends and observation. We’ve also included examples and some fun ways to combine trends to make interesting classes even more attractive.

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Jewelry making classes

Whether it’s to keep, gift or sell, handmade jewelry is all the rage. Searches for “jewelry making classes near me” are trending on Google. The query “jewelry making classes” far outperforms any other category on this list.

Depending on what instructors you have available, this could become a whole category of classes including beading, weaving, metalwork, wire wrapping, glass fusing, leather work or resin casting. 

I recently attended a class for adults that was called Friendship Bracelet Making. The instructor brought a huge collection of beads and charms and gave us some tips on how to design, string, and tie off our bracelets. Each person left with at least one bracelet they’d assembled themselves. Framing this as “friendship bracelet” making was smart marketing, because it encouraged people to take the class with a friend.

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Furniture painting and furniture upcycling

The 2025 Pinterest Predicts report suggests that hand-painted furniture is trending for 2025. Upcycling furniture is good for the environment and allows people to refresh their spaces even when budgets are a little tight. Many adults and teens may appreciate classes on how to paint or upcycle furniture in fun, bold patterns. 

A smaller, more portable version of this trend might include painting on wooden trays or panels. This is embodied in the Board and Brush trend. Similar to paint and sip, Board and Brush is a guided art experience where students create a project to take home. Instead of a canvas, Board and Brush projects are on wood. 

In your marketing for these classes, lean in to the recycling and eco-conscious aspects of the subject. Talk about how DIY decor and upcycling can reduce waste, save money, and make their homes look beautiful.

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Collage classes

No, that’s not a misspelling of college. Classes in assembling multiple materials to create a composition really are trending. While paper, pictures, and stickers are classic collage materials, creativity rules this art form. I’ve seen people use fabric, ribbons, beads, googly eyes, small plastic toys, feathers, and more to make unique compositions. 

While most of us have probably made a collage at some point in our lives, plenty of artists have elevated this accessible medium. Some argue that collage is making a comeback now, as it did during the 2007-2009 recession, because it’s an affordable, accessible way to make meaning out of chaos. 

Whatever the reason, people are curious about collage. Consider offering classes that address its composition, style, history, and materials. 

Several times now, I’ve attended the monthly drop-in collage night at a local venue. Everyone who attends gets access to an array of shared materials. People can contribute to the community project — a store mannequin slowly being covered in cut out magazine images — or work on their own pieces. It’s as much about joining in a creative community as it is about learning the basics of collage.

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Mosaic art classes

Mosaic is an ancient art that is making a comeback. This method of inlaying stone, glass, or ceramic to make designs or images is nearly as old as civilization. We see it in the ruins of Pompeii, within houses of worship, in private homes, and installed as public art. 

The craze for mosaic may be influenced in part by the upcycling and recycling trend. Hardly a day goes by without a video in my social media feed showing how someone shattered old plates to make mosaic tiles. 

This is a versatile art form that can be customized to fit multiple audiences. Kids might like paper mosaic or Lego mosaic classes. For adults, you might offer a more classic mosaic making experience. Or combine the mosaic trend with furniture upcycling or jewelry making to create unique class offerings that attract broad audiences.

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Outdoor art classes

With warmer months and summer vacation finally on its way, it’s time to think about taking art classes outdoors. We’re not just talking about plein air painting here. Mosaic and furniture classes can both be moved outside easily. 

You might schedule a sketching hike, stopping at pre-selected points along a trail to allow students to sketch what they see. Take art to the streets with classes in sidewalk chalk drawing. Nature collage is also a fun adventure for kids and adults of all ages — students collect sticks, flowers, and other natural materials to assemble a collage that is then left for the wind and animals to disassemble. 

Basically, when it comes to outdoor art classes, the possibilities are as big as your imagination. Just make sure you have a backup plan or clear cancellation policy in case of unfavorable weather. 

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Making it easy to sign up for your trending art classes this Fall

Whether they’re learning to tile a backsplash with a mosaic pattern or exploring the outdoors with a camera, every student wants a simple class registration experience. Make it as easy as possible for them with CourseStorm’s class registration and payment management system. With it, students can easily register for multiple classes, or sign up their whole friend group for an unforgettable creative experience. See for yourself how CourseStorm improves the student experience. Get your free demo today.