How to find art or music courses for adults?

Calgary impresses not only with its mountain scenery and corporate offices, but also with a very powerful network of creative spaces that open doors for adults who want to start or deepen their artistic or musical journey. The city offers a variety of options, from municipal programs to private studios, large music schools to cozy art studios. Each format has its own registration, pricing, and teaching approach, so understanding the system will help you find the one that best suits your needs and schedule.

Municipal arts centers: accessibility without compromise

The Calgary Recreation network operates through two main arts centers that have become a gateway to the arts for thousands of Calgarians. The Wildflower Arts Centre at 3363 Spruce Drive Southwest and the North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre at 523 27th Avenue Northwest offer comprehensive programs for adults covering painting, drawing, mixed media, and ceramics.

Registration takes place through the liveandplay.calgary.ca platform on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration opens at 6:00 a.m. with a virtual queue starting at 5:30 a.m. to ensure fair distribution of spots in popular programs. Phone registration is available through the Customer Service Center at 403-268-3800 (option 1) starting at 8:30 a.m. Course fees are typically included in the general Rec Pass for CAD 58.05 per month, which provides access to all 16 of the city's recreational facilities.

The city's art programs have a clear philosophy: over 35 years of experience in providing artistic experiences for all ages and abilities. The approach includes patience, skill, humor, and encouragement with an emphasis on self-expression and technique in a safe, inclusive, and non-competitive environment. In the summer, special outdoor programs are added: “Clay in the Courtyard,” “Outdoor Art Explorations: Sketchbook,” and “Outdoor Art Explorations: Watercolor,” allowing you to create in the open air.

Private art studios: from beginners to professionals

Swinton's Art Supplies offers a unique combination of a retail store and a learning center. With five studios and 16 instructors, they offer a monthly registration system for CAD 139.61 (including taxes) for four three-hour classes. A distinctive feature of their approach is individual lessons in a group format — the instructor walks around the room and helps each student master new techniques. Students bring their own projects of their choice, and the instructor demonstrates new skills and gives advice on how to develop their work.

Classes have 4–12 students depending on the size of the studio, and tables, easels, and chairs are provided, although materials are not included. All students receive a 10% discount on materials purchased from their retail department. For beginners who are unsure what to bring to class, teachers or staff will help select materials and even a project to work on for the first day.

Grasby Art Studio at 6520 Bowness Road Northwest offers another option for adults with monthly passes for CAD 169, hourly drop-in studio classes for CAD 30, and adult art student pass cards starting at CAD 480. Workshop Studios in the historic Inglewood building combines art classes with ceramics, glassmaking, and even woodworking, tufting, and leatherworking, offering both one-day workshops and multi-week courses.

University programs: an academic approach to creativity

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) offers some of the most professional adult courses in the city through its Continuing Education Personal Interest program. Classes are taught by practicing artists in the same well-equipped facilities that support students in degree programs. Courses cover a wide range of disciplines, including ceramics, graphic design, drawing, fiber, glassblowing, painting, photography, and more.

Eight-week courses are held every weekday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with Saturdays on a rotating schedule. The program is open to artists aged 17 and older, welcoming both beginners and experienced creators. ACAD and AUArts alumni, as well as individuals aged 65 and older, receive a 10% discount on tuition.

The University of Calgary Continuing Education also offers fine arts courses, including drawing, painting, sculpture, art history, and art appraisal. Only courses currently scheduled are listed, and they can be taken for general interest or as certificate credits.

Specialized art spaces and unusual opportunities

Alcove Centre for the Arts presents a unique concept of a recreational art space in the city center. It is a public space open to the public, offering free art supplies and tools for anyone who wants to create. Alcove creates a creative playground to stimulate your artistic senses, where everyone is an artist.

Pinnovate DIY Studio at 137 Mahogany Plaza SE brings the concept of Pinterest to life. It is a DIY studio with a wall full of ideas and materials to get you started. “Pinnovators” are there to help you every step of the way as you create your masterpiece. If you want to join a class, there are endless opportunities to create splash paintings, living walls, rugs, macramé, yard games, and more. Walk-in crafters are welcome, or you can register for a class in advance, and as a bonus, there is a full in-house food and drink menu.

NW Calgary Art Classes at 35 Sherwood Common Northwest offers group art classes for CAD 30 per 60-minute session, private lessons for CAD 75 per hour, and special art nights, corporate and group events, or birthday parties for CAD 40 per person. All student class materials are included, and classes are by appointment only.

Music schools: from classical to contemporary

Mount Royal University Conservatory has been Calgary's premier institution for music and speech education since 1911. Located in the state-of-the-art Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts, the conservatory offers a wide range of private and group lessons for various instruments, including piano, violin, voice, and drama classes. Private lessons range from $69 to $110 CAD per hour, and new students can fill out a private lesson request form to be matched with an instructor.

Long & McQuade operates several learning centers throughout Calgary: Calgary East (3404 5 Avenue NE), Calgary Chinook (225 58 Ave SE), and Calgary Royal Vista (10 Royal Vista Drive NW). Professional, highly qualified instructors offer both in-person and online video lessons at rates of around CAD 30–33 per half hour. The centers are open Monday through Saturday with extended evening hours, making music lessons accessible to working adults.

With over 30 years of experience and Royal Conservatory of Music-certified instructors, Calgary Musicworks offers individual lessons for all ages starting at two years old. Located at 8120 Beddington Blvd NW Bay 103, the store also sells and repairs instruments, making it a one-stop shop for all your musical needs.

Home Music Lessons: Convenience Without Compromise

Groove Academy provides in-home music lessons and online lessons in Calgary for children, teens, and adults. They teach piano, voice, guitar, drums, and violin lessons. For in-home lessons, their instructors come to you. To see what music lessons are like, you can book a free online Meet & Greet. In-home trial lessons are also available for a small fee with no long-term commitment.

Imagine Music Lessons offers personalized in-home piano, guitar, violin, and ukulele lessons with experienced instructors. When you contact Imagine Music Lessons, they ask a series of questions, including your location, what instrument you play, your level of experience, and any special needs, such as exam preparation. They then suggest teachers based on your needs.

Steve from Calgary Guitar Lessons offers in-home guitar lessons with over 20 years of teaching experience in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Nashville, and other cities. His approach focuses on the fun factor: “The more fun you have learning guitar, the more motivated you will be to play (i.e., practice). Therefore, you will progress DRAMATICALLY faster!”

Specialized music programs and genres

Chinook School of Music, with locations on Macleod Trail South and North Haven, offers piano, guitar, voice, violin, cello, flute, ukulele, drums, saxophone, clarinet, composition, music production, and theory lessons for students of all ages. Their highly qualified team of instructors is dedicated to developing a lifelong love of music by nurturing each student's natural abilities.

School of Rock Calgary offers a unique approach to music education that combines private lessons with group rehearsals and live performances. They teach guitar, drums, piano, bass guitar, and vocals, focusing on rock music and contemporary genres, making them ideal for adults who want to play popular music.

Budget options and community programs

YMCA Calgary offers arts programs including painting, choir, photography, salsa, dance, and drama for adults. Classes are designed for all interests and skill levels, plus new photography and drama programs for youth ages 13–15. Spring registration for 2025 programs is now open, and arts programs are included in regular YMCA membership for $88 per month.

The Calgary Public Library regularly offers free programs for adults, teens, children, infants, and toddlers with a free library card. While not all programs are arts or music-related, the library often hosts creative workshops and cultural events.

Registration procedures and practical tips

Most private studios allow online booking through their own websites or platforms such as Mindbody App. Students are usually required to arrive 15 minutes before the start and sign a liability waiver. Municipal programs require a government ID and a credit card to set up monthly payments.

For art classes, basic materials are often not included in the cost, so students must purchase their own. Many studios offer discounts to their students at nearby art supply stores. Kensington Art Supply, Inglewood Art Supplies, and Swinton's Art Supplies are the main suppliers in the city, offering both materials and advice from working artists.

Music lessons require access to an instrument. For piano and drums, the instructor will share the instrument with the student, and for guitar, ukulele, and violin, the instructor will bring their own instrument. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to rent an instrument first in case the music is not a good fit for you.

Seasonality and time frames

Art programs typically run year-round with breaks in the summer, although some studios offer special summer intensives. University programs follow the academic calendar with registration for spring, summer, and fall. Private studios often have flexible schedules with the option to join at any time.

Music lessons traditionally run from September to June with summer programs for those who want to continue their studies. Many schools offer free trial lessons or discounts for new students, especially at the beginning of the school year.

Calgary's creative infrastructure demonstrates that the city is serious about supporting the artistic development of its residents. From affordable municipal programs to elite university courses, from cozy private studios to innovative community projects, every adult can find their place in this diverse ecosystem. The key to success lies in understanding your own needs, budget, and time commitments, as well as being willing to explore different options. Calgary offers more than just art or music lessons; it offers entire communities of like-minded individuals where creativity flourishes and personal growth is a natural byproduct of artistic exploration.