Art History Classes in San Francisco, CA

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...

In this course, students learn about the variety of ways that color is considered and used as a design element in fashion, graphic, and interior design. Working with current color theory principles and models, students develop color plans and concepts in relationship to individual and group projects. This research is compiled in sketchbook/notebook...

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...

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...

Award Winning Cabaret Performer and member of the 92Y Music Faculty, Michael Kirk Lane will lead this lecture series about the art form of cabaret. Using video and audio recordings of influential performers throughout the decades, the series will explore the history of the art form and where it is headed into the future.

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...

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...

Collecting Fever: From Cabinets of Curiosities to Modern Museums Just about everyone collects something: matchbooks, coins, George Washington-themed memorabilia, books, records, stamps, or artworks. Have you wondered why you are attracted to objects? Do you spend hours on end looking for that elusive piece that might complete a set? This course...

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,...

A large part of the design of interiors are the pieces of art that make up the visual and visceral impact of the space. The role of art can be the focal point of a room, or something that is well-suited for the background —something so subtle it merges into the environment seamlessly. This two-part course will look at varied fine art installations,...

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...

Express your Wild Creativity: 4-day Abstract Art Intensive “Cut Loose!  Get Bold!  Find Your Marks!” Go wild with us! Bring your courage, your curiosity, your love of creating for this 4-day intensive abstract acrylic workshop. This workshop is chock full of learning, exploring, delving, trusting, getting wildly creative. You will be...