Visual Art Institute (VAI) is a Non-profit organization 501(c)(3). It is located in Sugar House, Salt Lake City, Utah at the old Garfield Elementary School building.
VAI was founded in 1978 by Stephanie Burn. While teaching at Utah State University, Stephanie found that many of her students had already lost their ability to think creatively. She determined that if she could begin working with students at an earlier age, she could foster and maintain children's creative imaginations, resulting in children becoming more creative and productive adults. A unique curriculum was developed with specific teaching methods that taught technique while addressing the need for individual creativity and imagination.
The mission of VAI remains unchanged. It is to foster the development of children's artistic individuality and imagination by providing in-depth training, independent study and experimentation in all aspects of visual art. VAI serves children and teens ages 5–18. It is an after school community program teaching children and youth various skills in the visual arts. Classes are taught year round by local working artists.
VAI teaches a variety of art classes during the regular school year from September to June. Elementary age kids (Studio Art I) come after school one day each week. Middle School (Studio Art II) and High School (Studio Art III) students typically attend two classes each week. Students attend three 15-week semesters with class offerings changing with each new semester. The core curriculum of VAI includes over 60 different visual art courses. During the summer VAI offers a variety of workshops. Studio Art I students may participate in a Drawing Safari held at Hogle Zoo or Tracy Aviary. Studio Art II-III students have the opportunity to participate in VAI's Figure Academy, an intensive figure drawing and painting workshop.
VAI is known for its award winning art. In 2006, Salt Lake City Weekly named the Visual Art Institute "Utah’s Best Art Start". VAI students have garnered an array of local, state and national awards. VAI assists students in developing portfolios for applying to art schools and University art programs.
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