ArtAchieve is an art curriculum designed for homeschoolers. Created by John Hofland, it features over 60 lessons that teach drawing skills using cultural objects from around the world. Ideal for grades K-8, this program allows students to learn independently through engaging videos.
Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is ArtAchieve?
ArtAchieve was created by John Hofland, a talented designer and art professor. He made these lessons while homeschooling his kids. The curriculum blends art skills with culture. Each lesson focuses on a cultural object from around the world, teaching drawing techniques and diverse artistic traditions. With over 60 lessons for grades K-8, ArtAchieve works well even if parents don’t have art expertise. Students can follow along independently with step-by-step video instructions.
How lessons work
Every ArtAchieve lesson starts with some art history. You'll learn where the inspiration comes from and what makes it special in its culture. John Hofland then guides you through the drawing project with a video. He demonstrates techniques and solves problems as he goes. Each lesson takes about 70 minutes. If you prefer, there are PowerPoint slides that offer the same instructions. Students will finish with cool art pieces inspired by cultures worldwide—like Haitian barrel art, Israeli mosaics, and Kenyan carvings.
Five progressive levels
ArtAchieve has five levels. Level I (grades 1-2) covers basic media and simple figures. Levels II and III build skills with intermediate techniques. Level IV focuses on more advanced methods. Level V (grades 7+) teaches students to mimic famous styles like Impressionism and Art Deco. Each level has 8-14 lessons. Beginners of any age, even adults, should start at Level I to build strong skills before moving up.
Pricing and access
Individual lessons cost between $5.00 (Level I) and $11.00 (Level V). You can save about 25% with bundle pricing—around $4.20-4.50 per lesson when buying a full level. All purchases give you one year of access to view lessons on the ArtAchieve website. You can try a free Level I lesson called 'The Czech Cat' before you buy. This way, families can test lessons without committing to a full level.
The bottom line
ArtAchieve tackles a common issue for homeschoolers: how to teach art without expert knowledge. The video format helps students learn by watching real-time art creation. They pick up techniques and problem-solving skills that written instructions miss. Plus, the multicultural focus adds depth—students explore world cultures, geography, and history through their projects. For families using BetterSchool, ArtAchieve offers a structured art curriculum that delivers impressive results with minimal prep.
