FAQs

Big Ideas Art Studio is 100% child-centered, process-based, inclusive, and comprehensive. I believe every child should create their own art using their own ideas — not just copy someone else’s example. Whether they’re attending a live workshop or exploring independently through membership resources, I’m here to support and guide them as they grow into confident, capable artists.

Most programs focus on easy-to-replicate 2D projects (which can be great for some kids!), but at Big Ideas, I’m flipping the script. I invite kids to step into the role of the artist — to generate original ideas and bring those ideas to life using whatever materials or media make sense to them, whether 2D or 3D.

I also focus on the entire artistic process, not just the final product. That includes play and experimentation, idea development, documentation, sharing, and connecting to the contemporary art world. My goal isn’t just to help kids make pretty pictures — I’m here to help them learn how to be artists.

Big Ideas Art Studio was designed with elementary-aged kids in mind, but it can be a wonderful fit for the whole family. Each lesson includes flexible idea starters and room to adapt based on your child’s interests, confidence, and stage of development—so siblings can create alongside each other without everyone making the exact same thing.

Younger artists may need a little help getting started, while children who can read can usually explore the studio more independently.

The best way to know if it’s a good fit for your child is to try an upcoming live workshop and see how they engage.

Yes! The workshop or membership price includes all children in your household — no need to purchase multiple accounts.

You can absolutely begin with the art supplies you already have at home—pencil and paper, recyclables, crayons, paints, or whatever your child is excited to explore. There’s no need to buy a whole new set of materials to get started.

You also don’t need a fancy art room. A corner of the kitchen table, a small shelf, or an “art box” or bin that comes out when it’s time to create works beautifully. The best setup is simply one that feels easy for your family to use and clean up.

Many lessons include printable resources and activities, so a printer can be helpful but isn’t required. For live workshops, I’ll always share a materials list ahead of time. And if you’d like to add to your collection, you can find my favorite kid-friendly art supplies here.

These are terms art teachers often use to describe the kind of instruction they offer — and they’re at the heart of what I do here at Big Ideas Art Studio.

Traditionally, art instruction has been teacher-directed and product-focused — meaning the teacher picks the topic, designs the project, and walks students through it step by step, all working toward a similar final result.

But in a child-centered approach, the child takes on the role of the artist. They come up with their own ideas, make their own creative choices, and explore what matters to them.

Process-based means we focus on the experience of making art — the brainstorming, experimenting, problem-solving, and playing — rather than just the final product. Don’t get me wrong: the finished artwork is important too! But it’s in the process where the real magic happens — where kids stretch their thinking, spark new ideas, and make meaningful connections that go way beyond the page.

No problem! The live workshop is a fun chance to create together, but it’s not your only opportunity to participate.

Home Pass members have ongoing access to each workshop’s dashboard, including the recorded lesson and supporting resources, so your child can create whenever it works for your family’s schedule.

I don’t offer traditional gift cards, but you can gift a membership directly 🎁

During checkout, choose the “This is a gift” option and enter the recipient’s details. Their membership will be set up for them automatically — no gift codes or extra steps required.

It’s a simple way to give creative time without worrying about store credit or expiration dates.

You can cancel your membership anytime from your account subscriptions page. Canceling stops future renewals, and your access will remain open through the end of your current paid period.

Because Big Ideas Art Studio includes instant access to digital lessons and, with some passes, printable resources, payments are generally non-refundable. However, if you sign up and realize it’s not the right fit, you may request a refund within 60 minutes of purchase by emailing nicole@bigideasartstudio.com, as long as resources have not been downloaded.

Big Ideas Art Studio was designed with elementary-aged students in mind, but the open-ended lessons and resources are flexible enough to adapt for slightly younger children and upper-elementary preteens. You can adjust the materials, level of support, and creative expectations to meet your students’ interests, needs, and independence.

Absolutely! As a former public school teacher, I created Big Ideas Art Studio with my own classroom — and my students’ needs — in mind.

One of the biggest challenges I faced when offering choice was the student-to-teacher ratio. I used to wish I could clone myself — and that’s really what I’ve tried to build here: virtual lessons and resources that help extend your reach and support more students at once.

The Class Pass was designed specifically for teachers and works beautifully in a choice-based setting. It gives your students autonomy while giving you the support and structure to make it all manageable.

A lot, actually!

With Class Pass, your students can use a curated, ad-free online art studio designed specifically for young artists—without getting pulled into unrelated videos or spending class time searching for the next thing to make.

Class Pass includes a growing library of 100+ on-demand art lessons, creative challenges, printable resources, and idea starters to help students build skills, explore materials, and follow their own ideas.

It’s more than just creating a project. It’s about giving your students the support, inspiration, and confidence to create art that feels like theirs.

Not exactly — at least, not in the traditional sense. If you’re looking for a step-by-step, year-long curriculum with scripted lesson plans, this isn’t that.

Big Ideas Art Studio is built on the philosophy of choice-based and emergent teaching, where lessons respond to student interests, needs, and developmental stages. That means the projects and resources here are flexible, adaptable, and designed to support creative independence — not lock kids into a rigid path.

That said, everything I’ve created is rooted in years of observing what works in real classrooms. My goal is to eventually build out a complete framework that can be used like a curriculum, with all the building blocks you need — just delivered in a way that supports exploration and voice.

Not yet — but you can still create an app-like experience by adding a shortcut to the login page right on your device’s home screen. Just make sure to check “Remember Me” at login so they can access the virtual studio independently, just like any other app.

📱 How to Add a Shortcut:

On iPhone/iPad (Safari):

1. Open Safari and go to bigideasartstudio.com/account

2. Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow)

3. Select “Add to Home Screen”

On Android (Chrome):

1. Open Chrome and go to bigideasartstudio.com/account

2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner

3. Tap “Add to Home screen”

That’s it! Your students will be able to tap the icon just like they would with any other app.

Yes! I do accept purchase orders from school districts for the Class Pass membership.

Just send me an email at nicole@bigideasartstudio.com, and I’ll walk you through the process and get everything set up for your school.

You can cancel your membership anytime from your account subscriptions page. Canceling stops future renewals, and your access will remain open through the end of your current paid period.

Because Big Ideas Art Studio includes instant access to digital lessons and, with some passes, printable resources, payments are generally non-refundable. However, if you sign up and realize it’s not the right fit, you may request a refund within 60 minutes of purchase by emailing nicole@bigideasartstudio.com, as long as resources have not been downloaded.