Private Lessons & Portfolio
One-on-one instruction for personalized guidance, faster progress, or portfolio preparation for art school admissions.
One-on-one instruction with a professional art teacher. Ideal for personalized guidance, faster progress, or portfolio preparation for art school admissions.
Portfolio Programme
13 weekly one-on-one sessions · one school term
$65
+ HST per hour
Ideal For
- Students who want personalized attention
- Faster progress on specific skills
- Portfolio preparation for art school
- Students with unique learning needs
- Adults who want to learn art
What You Get
- Customized curriculum for your goals
- Flexible scheduling that works for you
- All materials and supplies included
- Progress tracking and feedback
- Traditional or digital art (or both)
Portfolio Preparation
We prepare two kinds of portfolio. Each is built backwards from the student’s target program and its deadline, not from a fixed syllabus. Read the full breakdown in our York Region portfolio guide.
Regional arts high school
Grade 8, entering Grade 9 · 13 sessions · applications close late November
For Arts Unionville and Arts Mackenzie. Six portfolio components including a self-portrait, a still life, a 3D work and an artist statement, plus preparation for the on-site workshop: value scales, still life from a provided object, and gesture drawing from a live model.
College & university
Grades 11–12 · 13 sessions minimum · deadlines January–February
For OCAD University, Sheridan College and York University AMPD. Between 8 and 15 finished pieces depending on the program, a sketchbook of observational work, written statements and per-piece descriptions, and drawing-test practice for programs that weight one heavily.
- Observational drawing from life — figures, still life, environments and drapery — which every program on this list assesses
- A working sketchbook, submitted as a required component by Arts Unionville, York University, OCAD and Sheridan
- Artist statements and per-piece descriptions, within each program’s word limits
- Selection and sequencing: building more work than the portfolio needs, then choosing from it
- Traditional media or digital (Procreate on iPads we provide), with all materials included
Schedule & Make-Up Classes
Classes are offered Monday through Sunday. Once a class day and time has been selected and reserved, that spot is held exclusively for your child for the duration of the active membership.
If your child is sick or cannot attend, let us know as soon as possible and we will arrange a make-up class on another available day at no additional charge, subject to space availability.
Make-up classes must be used during the active membership period and cannot be exchanged for cash, refunds, or credits.
The school is closed on scheduled holidays, including the Christmas and Winter Holiday (December 24, 2026 – January 2, 2027) and the Civic Holiday.
Every Oxford Art Academy student receives 15% off our Winter, March Break, and Summer art camps.
Schedule Information
For detailed class schedule information, please contact us directly and we will be happy to send you all available class times and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do private lessons cost?+
Portfolio preparation runs as a programme of 13 weekly one-on-one sessions, which is one school term. Sessions are $65 per hour plus HST, and the session length is set at the start based on the student’s target programme and deadline.
Are private lessons good for art-school portfolios?+
Yes. We work one-on-one to build a strong, cohesive portfolio tailored to each student’s target program and deadlines.
Can adults take private lessons?+
Yes — private lessons are open to teens and adults, as well as younger students who want personalized attention.
Traditional or digital art?+
Either, or both. The curriculum is fully customized to the student’s goals.
Which art programs do you prepare portfolios for?+
York Region regional arts high school programs, including Arts Unionville and Arts Mackenzie, and post-secondary programs including OCAD University, Sheridan College and York University AMPD. The curriculum is built around the requirements of the specific program a student is applying to.
How far ahead should we start a portfolio?+
A year where possible. Finished pieces can be produced in a few months, but the sketchbook of observational work that every program requires is evidence of sustained practice and cannot be compressed. Students applying for Grade 9 entry should begin in Grade 7; students applying to college or university should begin in Grade 11.
How many pieces will my teen need?+
Between 8 and 15 finished works depending on the program, plus a sketchbook. OCAD asks for 8 to 10, York University asks for 8 across at least two media, and Sheridan’s Bachelor of Illustration asks for 10 to 15 plus 15 to 25 sketchbook pages. We build more than the minimum so there is a choice to make at submission.
Where are lessons held?+
At our school at 14 Oxford St, Unit 201C, Richmond Hill, ON, serving York Region including Thornhill, Vaughan, Markham, Aurora, and Newmarket.
Please review our policies before registering.