Frequently Asked Questions
Gage Academy of Art is an innovative and accessible contemporary art school that welcomes more than 3,000 adults and youth each year, along with thousands more who join through free programs, lectures, and community events. For over three decades, Gage has been unapologetically independent and committed to excellence in painting, drawing, and sculpting, offering personal mentorship and skills-based instruction from celebrated teaching artists.
Our programs are designed to be accessible and inclusive, with tuition assistance, free youth opportunities, and open studios that invite everyone to participate. From summer camps that inspire young artists to immersive Atelier studies that provide rigorous training for committed practitioners, Gage creates pathways for learners at every stage. We believe artists are made, not born, and invite people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to learn, create, and thrive in a vibrant community of art makers.
We have two locations: our new home in South Lake Union at 2107 Westlake Ave and our versatile studio space in Georgetown at 6520 5th Ave S., Seattle 98108.
Read more and plan your visit, including parking tips.
Yes!
South Lake Union Campus: Gage staff can validate your parking if you park in any of the Amazon garages. Pull a ticket as you enter the garage and bring it with you to Gage. Your ticket will be validated at the Registrar’s Desk in the lobby area.
The Re:invent building garage is adjacent to the Gage SLU facility. Enter the garage off 8th Avenue at the corner of 8th and Blanchard.
Parking will be free with validation at any time for the first three years. Parking is always free at 4 p.m. and on the weekends in Amazon parking garages.
Georgetown/Equinox Location: There is free street parking available on a first come first serve basis.
No prior experience is needed for many beginner-level classes. Gage offers art classes for all skill levels, from total beginners to advanced artists.
Gage offers a wide range of drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media classes for youth, teens, and adults. Programs include short workshops, year-long Atelier programs, and open studios.
All participants in Gage art programs are recommended to be fully vaccinated & boosted. Masks are at the individual's discretion.
We offer both in-person and online art classes. Online courses are tagged with a light blue Online box. You can find this information on the individual class registration pages or customize your search by filtering for online under the Venue filter.
Gage offers weekend art workshops and one-day intensives throughout the year. These are great for beginners or those looking to explore a new medium.
After you enroll in a class you are officially on the roster and are good to go! If you are taking an online course you should expect to see an email closer to when the course begins with the zoom information. If you are taking an in-person class, we will send out an email letting you know what classroom it will be shortly before it starts so you know where to go.
To use your class credit you will need to call our registrar at 206-323-4243 and they will apply the credit manually.
Our refund policy can be found on our website all the way down on the bottom right corner listed as financial terms. Please note that whenever you drop a class or a workshop, the registration fee of $20 will not be refunded.
Not all of our instructors record their classes, but if you have to miss a day or might not be able to attend the course during the scheduled timeslot, please let us know and we can put in a request to see if the instructor would be able to send you recordings of the sessions! Please feel free to email us at info@gageacademy.org with your request and we will see what we can do for you.
All supply lists for our classes can be found on our website when you click on the enroll now button, and it takes you to the registration page.
Yes! Learn more and register here.
We accept in-kind gifts or services on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Carl Gellert, Advancement Manager at gellert.c@gageacademy.org
Art Supplies - We kindly accept art supplies that are in original packaging or very gently used. We cannot accept solvents of any kind. All items need to be reviewed to see if we have space and need. Please contact Jessica Heide, Director of Programming at heide.j@gageacademy.org
Arts Equipment - will be evaluated on a case by case basis. To discuss your donation please contact Please contact Carl Gellert, Advancement Manager at gellert.c@gageacademy.org
Yes! We welcome art donations for our annual Art Auction & Gala, supporting free and low-cost programs at Gage.
To donate artwork or discuss custom contributions, contact Carl Gellert at gellert.c@gageacademy.org
Yes, Gage Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations without exchange of goods (like tickets or merchandise) are 100% tax-deductible.
Federal Tax ID: 91-1992593
Yes, whether you donate online, via mailing a check, or through your donor advised fund, you will receive an official tax-receipt letter (where appropriate) and a big THANK YOU from us!
There are many ways you can make a legacy gift to Gage.
For assistance, please contact Carl Gellert, Advancement Manager at gellert.c@gageacademy.org
In the case of inclement weather, and in consideration of the safety of students, staff, and instructors, Gage may adjust opening hours or cancel classes. Gage no longer follows Seattle Public Schools’ weather closure decisions but makes decisions based on Gage’s particular situation. The decision will be posted on the Gage website and shared on Facebook and Instagram by 6:30 a.m. when inclement weather is predicted.
For real-time updates, please check our website and social media. Online classes will continue as scheduled, regardless of weather conditions, unless otherwise noted.
Gage offers programs for:
- Youth (ages 6–11)
- Teens (ages 12–18)
- Adults (18+)
We also host family-friendly events and workshops.
Once you register, you're officially on the class roster, no further steps are needed other than to procure your class supply list.
- Online classes: You’ll receive Zoom login details via email in the confirmation as well as the reminder emails.
- In-person classes: You’ll receive an email with your classroom location just before the first session.
- Adult classes: Most adult classes have a required supply list to purchase ahead of the first class. Please review the registration page to find your classes supply list. Note: youth classes supplies are provided by Gage.
We provide tuition assistance for youth and adult students based on need. Deadlines and application info can be found on our Tuition Assistance page.
Atelier Program
The Gage Atelier Program is a full-time, immersive art education experience rooted in classical and contemporary drawing, painting, and sculpture techniques. Designed for students of all levels, the program offers rigorous, skills-based training under the mentorship of professional teaching artists in a studio environment. Ateliers focus on long-term artistic development, fostering both technical mastery and personal voice over the course of one to four years.
Gage Academy of Art offers eight immersive Atelier programs for artists seeking mastery in painting, drawing, or sculpture. Each program provides long-term, in-depth instruction in a collaborative studio setting under the guidance of internationally renowned teaching artists. Current Atelier offerings include:
- Modern Color Atelier
- Still Life & Portraiture Atelier
- Drawing Atelier
- KOH Contemporary Atelier
- Sculpture Atelier
- Imaginative Realism Atelier
- Classical Atelier
- Contemporary Landscape Atelier
These programs are designed to help artists develop technical skills, creative vision, and a professional fine arts practice.
Schedule a tour or meeting with one of our Atelier Directors. They are happy to give specifics and answer any of your questions about the program.
Yes, but we suggest you meet with the Program Directors for each program you are interested in applying to, to ensure they each are a good fit and to prioritize which program would be your first and second choice.
You do NOT need to pay multiple application fees for each application. Only one is required.
Program costs vary from program to program. The 25-26 academic year range from $6006.00 – $10448.00. Please see the specific atelier page for program cost.
Yes. We provide tuition assistance and scholarships atelier students based on need and/or merit. Deadlines and application info can be found on our Financial Aid page.
To apply, fill out our online application form and pay the application fee. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of December 15th for acceptance to the program starting the Fall of the following year.
If you haven’t already spoken with the director of the program you would like to apply for. We encourage that you schedule a tour or meeting with them before applying to make sure it is the right fit for you.
Summer Camp
Gage Academy’s Summer Camp begins June 30, 2025, and ends August 28, 2025. Please note: there will be no class on July 4; camps that week will end on July 3.
Most camps run Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Before and after care, known as Creative Care, is available from 8:00–9:30 AM and 3:30–5:00 PM, except Friday afternoons. Some teen camps run half days, including all online camps.
All in-person camps take place at our South Lake Union campus at 2107 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA, unless otherwise noted. Free garage parking is available for parents, and staff are present to escort curbside morning drop-offs.
- Youth Art & Movement Camps: Ages 6–11
- Teen Camps and Intensives: Ages 12–18
- Teen Portfolio Intensive: Ages 15–18
Includes both in-person and online options.
Youth Camps: Split into Art and Movement sessions, with students grouped by age. Students will take two snack breaks and a lunch break. Please ensure your student has enough packed.
Teen Camps: Offered as either one-week or multi-week intensives. Students engage in studio work, instruction, and live drawing. Teen camps are offered as full-day, half-day, in-person, or online.
- Members: February 10, 2025
- General Public: February 17, 2025
Yes! Tuition assistance is available for summer camps. Please see our Tuitions Assistance page for application details. Note: We know that the notification date is well after the registration open date. Ee save spots in each camp for Tuition Assistance students, so that your student won’t miss out on their favorite camp.
Summer 2025 Application schedule
- Open: March 3, 2025
- Close: May 12, 2025
- Notification Date: May 23, 2025
Yes. Gage offers Creative Care, an art-based before and after care program for ages 6–11. If you have a teen who needs to be onsite before or after their program, please reach out to make specific accommodations.
- Morning Care: 8:00–9:30 AM
- Afternoon Care: 3:30–5:00 PM (No PM care on Fridays)
Flexible enrollment is available by day or by week.
Yes! All materials and art supplies are provided by Gage.
- Nutritious lunch and snacks
- Water bottle (we have fountains to refill throughout the day)
- Clothes suitable for getting messy (paint, charcoal, etc.)
- For younger campers: a change of clothes, shoes and clothing suitable for running around in
- Dress in layers: students will be in AC inside, but take lunch outside. A light removable sweater can be helpful.
- Any necessary medications (e.g., EpiPen, inhaler)
Note: Please avoid bringing personal or special items from home that may distract from camp activities.
Yes! Each camp ends with a Friday Showcase.
- Youth Camps: Join us at 3:00 PM for an art exhibit and movement performance.
- Teen Camps: Join us at 3:15 PM to celebrate students' work and creativity.
- Hot Weather: Air-conditioned spaces available. Lunch may be held indoors.
- Smoke/Air Quality: We use a high-efficiency HVAC system. Indoor adjustments will be made.
- Rain: Campers will remain indoors during lunch or outdoor activities if needed.
Many beloved instructors from past years are returning, and popular camps may return with fresh updates.
Reach out to our team:
- Heather Ormsbee, Youth Programs Co-Manager – ormsbee.h@gageacademy.org
- Kathryn Jones, Youth Program Co-Manager – jones.k@gageacademy.org
- Simone Dunye, Registrar – dunye.s@gageacademy.org