Artistic Pursuits is an art curriculum designed for homeschoolers. It teaches kids about art elements, composition, and techniques, helping them create their own artwork rather than copying adults.
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. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
What are Artistic Pursuits?
Artistic Pursuits is an art curriculum created by Brenda Ellis. She’s an honors graduate from the Kansas City Art Institute and has over 25 years of teaching art to kids. This program covers four main areas: elements of art, composition, media techniques, and art history. Instead of having kids copy adult artwork, it encourages them to use what they see around them for inspiration. Each book has 36 lessons, meant to be done weekly, with readings and projects that kids can finish at their own speed.
How the curriculum works
The program is based on developmental stages from the Latin Trivium. Kids in grades K-3 work with parents, while those in 4th grade and up can learn on their own. Each level features a friendly tone that's age-appropriate. There are nine video lessons showing techniques and 27 textbook lessons in each book. The focus is on creating original art, not copying. Kids are encouraged to express themselves without needing to practice a lot first.
What sets it apart
Artistic Pursuits was the first homeschool art program to officially introduce art elements and composition together. It values kids being kids instead of expecting them to draw like adults. For families with multiple children, one book can be used by all, making it cheaper than typical art classes. Plus, it includes discussion prompts for parents and kids to talk about famous artworks, helping build art appreciation along with skills.
Planning your art supply budget
The curriculum books are priced well, but art supplies are extra and can add up. Artistic Pursuits offers supply kits in drawstring backpacks that match each book level. Basic supplies include sketchpads, paints, markers, crayons, brushes, and pencils. Many families find it useful to budget for supplies before starting a new level and shop for sales at craft stores to keep costs down.
The bottom line
Artistic Pursuits gives a well-rounded art education that builds real skills while encouraging creativity. It’s great for parents who may not be artistic themselves but want to provide quality art instruction without too much prep work. If you're looking for a structured yet flexible approach to art education, Artistic Pursuits is a great choice for kids from preschool through high school.
