Kids' Art Classes
in Santa Cruz, California
Art, Milk & Cookies is a creative community for Santa Cruz kids.
We teach real art skills through imaginative projects, big ideas, and plenty of joyful mess-making!
Stay in the loop about our kids' art classes!
Be the first to hear about new kids' art classes in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas with our newsletter, Locals Only.
What Is Art, Milk and Cookies?
At Art, Milk & Cookies, every season brings a fresh menu of classes designed for kids to build their artistic skills and become stronger creatives, all while building a sense of community.
Here are just a few of the classes and curriculums that we offer:
Graphic Novel Studio (Graphic novels and comics)
Afterschool Coloring Party (Color theory & technique)
Story Garden (Illustration)
Character Design (Concepting)
Sculpting with Color (Color theory and 3D art)
and more!
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to hear all about upcoming classes when they become available!
Kids create on full bellies with our healthy, afterschool snacks.
Our afterschool classes begin with a healthy snack and end with clean-up time. We believe in nourishing kids' bodies, giving them a comfortable space where they can be their best selves, and enjoying small rewards for a job well done.
And yes, there are actual milk & cookies!
Speaking of small rewards, on the last day of class our students enjoy a treat of milk and cookies!
Let's reward ourselves and each other for a job well done.
Hi! I’m Emma.
I Make Art Classes for Creative Kids.
Emma Tipping is a Santa Cruz children’s illustrator, arts educator, and longtime creative business owner who believes kids deserve art classes that are joyful, welcoming, and genuinely skill-building.
After 11 years running CaliCaricature at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where she trained a generation of young Santa Cruz artists, Emma returned to what she loves most: helping kids become more powerful creatives.
At Art, Milk & Cookies, Emma combines real-world art experience with playful, child-centered teaching. Kids learn actual creative skills, experiment without fear of getting it “wrong,” and make work they’re excited to bring home.
Because the goal isn’t to make 12 identical projects. It’s to help your kid think, tinker, create, and leave feeling like a real artist.
Sign up for our newsletter, Locals Only
to stay up to date on Emma's new classes & creative adventures!
We Make Lotsa Fun Art for Santa Cruz Kids!
"We are here to help you raise healthy, happy kids in a way that feels joyful and easy."
Stay in the Loop
(Locals Only 🦈😉)
We keep our local events private and personal, just for Santa Cruz families.Sign up below to get updates about new art classes, pop-up workshops, and family art events. Subscribers receive first access to registration, exclusive discounts, and the inside scoop on creative happenings around town.
👉 Join our newsletter to hear about our art classes!
We’ll only email you about our Santa Cruz kids' art classes, workshops, and other Art, Milk & Cookies events.
Partnering with
Santa Cruz Parks and Rec
Classes are currently offered in collaboration with Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation and hosted at multiple locations including:
Bay View Elementary School, Westlake Elementary School, London Nelson Community Center and more.
We look forward to adding more Santa Cruz locations as our creative community grows!
Join our newsletter to find out about upcoming classes and events.