ART ZOO is a small local art studio in Joburg that offers weekly classes and workshops to both kids and adults. They also provide both in-person and online art classes, which we think offer great flexibility for those who don’t reside in the area or prefer to stay home.

The school was established 22 years ago by a professional artist, art teacher and children’s books illustrator Monique Piscaer Bailey. She leads the workshops and classes until now, which we find impressive.

Art classes for adults are held either once or twice a week.

We also found the adult art classes they offer very versatile as it tackles several kinds of art media such as oils, acrylics, watercolours, soft pastels, coloured pencils, graphite, charcoal and a combination of some.

On the other hand, we think the art classes for children are very beginner-friendly and are focused mostly on sparking kids’ creativity. Children aged 6-12 can enrol in either in-studio or online art classes.

Another thing we love about ART ZOO is that their tuition fees are very affordable. Adult art classes that meet once a week are R 600 per month, and art classes for youngsters are just R 50 per session.

The only thing that sets this school back is its very small team. With only one instructor in the studio, slots are limited and are almost always filled up immediately. 

Despite this, we think that ART ZOO deserves the compliments it’s been getting from students so far. They’re praised for their fun classes and inspiring and passionate art instructor. 

Kim Sacks Gallery offers ceramic and fine craft art classes regularly throughout the year. What they do is arrange classes in cycles, with each one lasting 8 weeks.

The founder of and art instructor at Kim Sacks Gallery has an impressive experience working with clay for 40 years and we noted she’s very hands-on with running the business.

The instructor is in charge of all the logistics and then teaches each student one-on-one how to mould clay, which is a big plus in terms of managing and teaching approach.

There are two regular instructors in the studio: Kim and another colleague, who was also her past student. 

However, Kim Sacks Gallery accommodates guest teachers who hold workshops now and then, which we think is great as having several instructors also provides different types of teaching styles.

It’s too bad there aren’t profiles of instructors on their page, but they do ensure that each art instructor has years of experience and practise as an artist. Still, we hope they could showcase their talents more to entice more budding artists.

One thing that’s unique about this small art school is they also have an art gallery in-house. Here, a collection of African ceramic art is showcased. 

We think this is great as it not only promotes amazing local art but also inspires artists to create.

In addition, most pieces are up for sale.

Regardless, Kim Sacks Gallery is commended by past students for its instructors’ talents and skills, their effective and hands-on teaching approach, and their authenticity.

Revolution Media Academy is one of the highest-rated schools for creatives in Johannesburg. They offer their courses both online and in-person, and both short-term and full-time.

What we like best about Revolution Media Academy is its broad range of programmes offered. Generally, their focus is on music and media, but you’ll find more field-specific courses in their catalogue.

Revolution Media Academy is praised by its former and current students for the quality of the programmes they offer. They’re also commended for their superb facilities and modern equipment.

Another thing we like about their programmes is when you finish them, you’ll receive a certificate or diploma. 

Revolution Media Academy is also accredited by QCTO as a Private & Education Skill Development Provider, MICT SETA as an Education & Training Provider, and the Department of Higher Education.

They didn’t put up profiles and backgrounds for instructors but as they’re a legit and recognised educational institution, we’re hoping they employ qualified professionals in each field. 

Regardless, students are impressed with some of Revolution Media Academy’s instructors for their expertise and teaching styles.

As Revolution Media Academy offers a complete education in the arts, tuition fees may be more expensive than short courses and art workshops. So we do appreciate that they offer scholarships to assist students in need. 

Sadly, we also heard some negative feedback regarding their student support services, particularly regarding how they treat some of the students. In fact, there were some reports that there were rude and racist instructors, which we hope have been long resolved.

Artists’ Space is an art studio that holds regular workshops for beginners and experienced artists. They also host art workshops featuring various artists, tackling different kinds of art media.

Rai Sinha, founder of Rai Sinha Fine Art that holds Artists’ Space, is a rising artist with only 5 years of experience in painting. However, she has been presenting and selling artworks regularly in art galleries and exhibitions.

She’s also a well-known artist whose works have been exhibited and sold in London, Italy and South Africa.

Though Sinha can be considered an amateur compared to the other founders in this list, we find it impressive that she’s already taught a good number of students. 

We found that the instructor and their classes are highly recommended by their students and customers. We also heard praises from clients that their classes were fun and helpful in honing their skills.

The classes at Artists’ Space are open to all ages and both beginners and advanced artists. They also provide a good range of classes focusing on oil painting, acrylic painting, charcoal and pencil drawing, watercolour and mixed media techniques.

The Professional Watercolour Classes for Beginners is R 2400 for 12 sessions (2.5 hrs each).

Considering the number of sessions and the duration of classes, we think their rates are quite reasonable and do offer great value for your investment.

Artists’ Space is one of the newer art schools in the area so compared to other studios, they might be considered less experienced. Nonetheless, we love the variety of classes they offer and think they are worth a try.

CityVarsity is a fully-accredited higher education institute that focuses on paving the way for solid careers for creatives. They offer full-time and short-term learning programmes that students can attend in-person or online.

We like that CityVarsity also offers a wide range of programmes to choose from. They currently have four major departments: Visual Communication, Professional Acting for Camera, Multimedia Design & Production, and Sound & Media Technology.

Furthermore, they offer several types of qualifications after completing a programme. For long-term courses, you’ll earn a degree, diploma, or certificate, which are all registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The diplomas/certificates you’ll earn are credible and helpful in starting your professional career. 

It’s also great that CityVarsity offers Short Learning Programmes for those who have a lot on their plate and don’t want to study full-time.

We would’ve preferred it if CityVarsity provided an introduction of even some of their professors/instructors. Reassuringly, CityVarsity is accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and its qualifications are recognized by Council on Higher Education (CHE). 

One thing we’d like to address about CityVarsity is the complaints we heard regarding the steep tuition rates and their treatment of their students.

Moreover, there are a handful of grievances regarding the school’s administration and its processes, particularly in controlling the quality of their programmes. We hope they work on their relationship with their clients and improve their quality control.