11 of the Best Art Classes in Melbourne
Melbourne is full of ways to get creative—no experience required.
Looking to try something creative, but not sure where to start? You’re in the right city. Melbourne has a brilliant mix of art classes that cater to complete beginners, returning hobbyists, and anyone keen for a fun night out. Think short art courses, friendly drawing classes, hands-on workshops, and paint-and-sip sessions where the pressure is low and the enjoyment is high.
Here are our top picks of the best art classes in Melbourne worth checking out.
Find an Art Class Melbourne
1. Art Masterclass – 555 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
A creative all-rounder, Art Masterclass offers some of the most unique art workshops Melbourne has to offer.
- Ceramic Painting Classes: Paint intricate Turkish designs onto ceramic plates and tiles, all while enjoying refreshments in a relaxed setting.
- Acrylic Paint and Sip Classes: Great for beginners, you’ll walk away with a bright, cheerful canvas and (hopefully) no paint on your clothes.
- Resin Art Class: Learn the mesmerising art of resin pouring with all materials supplied.
- Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop: Create your own glittering mosaic lamp – a perfect combo of creativity and craftsmanship.
These sessions are perfect for anyone looking for fun and engaging art or painting classes in Melbourne with a cultural twist.
Read our review of the Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop here.
2. VAS Gallery – East Melbourne
Home to the Victorian Artists Society, VAS Gallery has been a hub for local artists since the 1870s.
They run structured art courses in Melbourne for all levels – from beginners to advanced. Learn the foundations of drawing, try your hand at life painting, or refine your skills in their oil painting classes in Melbourne. It’s a beautiful old building full of inspiration, and the instructors are practising artists themselves.
3. NGV Art School – Online & In-Person
Want to learn from the best? The National Gallery of Victoria runs seasonal art workshops in Melbourne, including one-day intensives and four-week series covering watercolour, portraiture, and even modern drawing techniques.
Choose between in-person workshops at NGV International or convenient online options you can do from home. The course content often draws inspiration from current exhibitions – so you’re learning technique and art history along the way.
4. Laneway Learning – Nicholas Building, Melbourne CBD
One of our readers swears by Laneway Learning:
“I’ve done a couple of sketching and painting classes at Laneway Learning Melbourne. They’re fun, affordable, and located right in the heart of the city.”
Held in the iconic Nicholas Building, these casual evening classes are a brilliant way to try something new. With topics ranging from pencil sketching to watercolour florals, they’re ideal for those after short art courses in Melbourne that don’t cost a fortune.
5. Melbourne Studio of Art – Elsternwick
This boutique studio offers high-quality drawing classes in Melbourne, painting programs and specialist workshops for adults and children alike.
Their focus is on teaching technique in a welcoming environment. Choose from weekend intensives, term-long classes, or drop-in sessions. It’s a great place to build foundational skills or get back into the habit of regular creative practice.
6. Centre for Adult Education (CAE) – Melbourne CBD
A Melbourne institution, CAE has been helping locals learn new skills for over 70 years. Their art courses range from beginner-friendly drawing to oil painting, life drawing, and mixed media.
These classes tend to run for 6–8 weeks and are perfect if you’re looking for structure, expert guidance, and the chance to build up a body of work.
7. ClassBento – Various Locations Across Melbourne
Looking for a gift, team activity, or fun night out? ClassBento has you covered with hundreds of hands-on art workshops in Melbourne.
Choose from sip and paint classes, pottery painting, Japanese calligraphy, or even art therapy courses in Melbourne. You can filter by location, time, and budget – and many come with wine and nibbles included.
8. Melbourne Art Class – Hawthorn & Online
Run by a small team of passionate artists, Melbourne Art Class offers thoughtfully designed programs including foundation drawing, oil painting, portraiture, and abstract art.
Their small class sizes and personalised teaching style make them a great pick for anyone looking to deepen their skills or re-engage with art in a more mindful way.
9. The Art Room – Footscray
This welcoming West Melbourne studio is all about community and creativity.
The Art Room runs term-based classes, intensive workshops, and short art courses in Melbourne across painting, drawing, and visual journaling. They also offer art therapy workshops, making it a nurturing space for self-expression and wellbeing through art.
Bonus: Community Art Clubs & Annual Events
10. Gallery Sketchers & Art Club – Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds
For those who enjoy creating in good company, the Incinerator Gallery runs relaxed sketching and art club sessions. Their Gallery Sketchers program is a friendly meet-up where you can bring your own materials, draw inspiration from the exhibitions, and sketch at your own pace. The Art Club offers guided activities and discussions, making it a supportive option for anyone looking to connect with fellow creatives in Melbourne’s west. Both are low-cost and ideal if you’re after ongoing, casual art workshops in Melbourne without committing to a long course.
11. Craft & Quilt Fair – Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Each year, the Craft & Quilt Fair transforms MCEC into a hands-on creative playground. Alongside the stunning quilt displays and craft stalls, you’ll find dozens of short art workshops running daily. Past sessions have included:
- Glass painting techniques for beginners
- Mosaic workshops with vibrant tile and bead designs
- Resin jewellery making, perfect for gifts or wearable art
- Watercolour paper flowers and other botanical crafts
It’s a brilliant way to sample a range of crafts in one place, with expert tutors guiding you step by step.
Final Brushstrokes
Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or returning to a creative passion, these art classes in Melbourne offer a friendly, flexible way to get started.
Just remember – you don’t have to be ‘good’ at art to enjoy it. Sometimes, a splash of paint and a glass of wine are all you need.
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