I took classes here as a child for nearly nine years - from 7 to 16 years old. Obviously, if I was in these classes for so long, I loved them. I still remember my first day when I walked in. The studio felt electric to me.
In public school, art is treated like "just a fun time." I was never actually instructed on how to do anything or how to observe the natural world. Mission: Renaissance teaches you those things. The only aspect of art which cannot be taught (not even by a stupendous teacher) is creativity. Creativity comes from within. But drawing/painting are skills. Skills can be taught and learned. I have taken classes in middle school, high school, and three universities (one of which was UCLA). I am not exaggerating when I say that Missions:Renaissance was the only school where I learned a significant amount of information about how to draw/paint.
Although in a group setting, instruction is actually one-on-one. Instruction is tailored to each student to make sure that everyone understands and can go at their own pace. The opposite is true in a regular school setting where it is group instruction and if you can't keep up, that's the student's problem.
Growing up, I would not say that I was a popular child. And in the public/private school system, if you're not a "mathelete," you're labeled as dumb, unproductive, and not going anywhere in life. My unpopularity coupled with my sub-average academic performance did not work wonders for my self-esteem. When I entered M:R, that changed. Not to brag, but I was one of the more talented kids in the room. When I entered into the teen program, I had a group of really great friends who I KIT with to this day (nearly ten years later). M:R was the first time in my life where I felt respected, talented, and accepted.
The skills I learned from M:R even allowed me to receive college scholarships. And these skills also applied to my chosen profession of Visual Effects (computer science).
I love Mission: Renaissance and I am extremely grateful my parents provided this experience for me. Art is not for everyone, but it is for me.
*side note: Mission Renaissance accepts children as young as 4.5. Honestly, 85% of children six and under can't handle this type of art class. It's not "cut-n-paste." It's real instruction that requires a length of time for serious concentration. It's fun, but challenging. read more