Looking for the best art schools in Tauranga? From weekly painting classes by the sea at Papamoa to term-time art classes for kids in Mount Maunganui, there are options here for beginners, returning painters and anyone aiming for a creative career. Mount WildheART and Paula Knight run hands-on studio classes, one tutor works from a studio in nearby Omokoroa, and anyone after a formal qualification can study visual arts at the Windermere campus.
1Mount WildheART
Mount WildheART is the art school run by Mount Maunganui artist and creative educator Jacqui van den Berg, whose own paintings and sculptures draw on the coast and native bush. Classes cover drawing, painting, mixed media and sculpture for children, teens and adults, pitched so complete beginners of any age can take part. It suits parents looking for term or holiday art classes for kids at the Mount, as well as adults wanting a relaxed creative outlet.
Services
- Drawing and painting classes for kids and teens
- Art classes for adults and beginners
- Mixed media and sculpture classes
- School holiday art programmes
- Studio hire
Highlights
- Taught by a practising painter and sculptor
- HeARTS creative play groups for children, teens and adults, in groups or one on one
- Has led a school mural project with Kena Kena Primary School students
- Original artwork and commissions available through the site’s art store
Location & Contact
Name: Mount WildheART
Address: Mount Maunganui, Tauranga
Phone: 021 069 6555
Website: mountwildheart.co.nz
2Paula Knight Art Tuition
Paula Knight is a Bay of Plenty landscape and botanical painter who teaches adult painting and drawing from her beachside studio at Papamoa Beach. Her students range from absolute beginners to exhibiting artists, and weekly classes are kept small in a relaxed, no-pressure setting looking out over the Pacific. It suits adults wanting a regular painting class or a small group after a one-off workshop.
Services
- Weekly adult painting classes (Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Wednesday evenings)
- Drawing tuition
- Themed painting workshops, including acrylic on canvas
- One-day and two-day workshops for private groups
- Tuition for art groups and art societies
Highlights
- Holds a certificate in adult teaching
- Studied life painting in oils at Wimbledon School of Art
- Background as a watercolour botanical artist
- Runs painting retreats in Rarotonga
- Work featured on the Australian television series Garden Gurus
Location & Contact
Name: Paula Knight Artist
Address: Papamoa Beach, Tauranga
Phone: 029 602 4108
Website: paulaknight.co.nz
3Emma Prill Art Workshops
Emma Prill is a Tauranga-based artist known for colour-rich botanical collage and acrylic work, including the large-scale installation Colourfield that filled the atrium of Tauranga Art Gallery. She runs mixed media workshops for adults and children from her studio in Omokoroa, about 20 minutes north of the city, and also teaches children’s holiday workshops at the Creative Campus in Tauranga. It suits families looking for school holiday art workshops and adults who prefer a single immersive workshop over a weekly class.
Services
- Children’s school holiday art workshops
- Adult art workshops in acrylic, gouache and pastel
- Mixed media and collage workshops
- Art experience days for teams and businesses
Highlights
- Exhibited in New Zealand and internationally
- Materials supplied on workshops
- Art parties hosted in your home for small groups
- Workshop kits available to buy online
Location & Contact
Name: Emma Prill
Address: 12 Margaret Drive, Omokoroa
Phone: 021 672 598
Website: emmaprill.co.nz
4Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Windermere Campus
Toi Ohomai is the Bay of Plenty’s public tertiary institute, and its Windermere campus in Tauranga is the base for its creative arts students, with purpose-built art, graphic, photography and creative spaces in the Te Ara o Mauao building. Unlike a private studio class, this is formal study toward a recognised qualification, with set intakes and fees. It suits school leavers and career changers who want to turn art into a career.
Services
- New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4)
- Bachelor of Creative Industries, with Visual Art and Graphic Design majors
- 2D and 3D art, moving image, installation and mixed media practice
- Part-time study options
Highlights
- Tutors are practising artists and designers
- Degree includes internships with creative businesses and exhibition opportunities
- StudyLink student loans and allowances available
Location & Contact
Name: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Windermere Campus
Address: 70 Windermere Drive, Poike, Tauranga
Phone: 07 571 0190
Website: toiohomai.ac.nz/locations/tauranga/windermere-campus
5The Incubator Creative Hub, Creative Community Campus
The Incubator is a charitable trust based in the Historic Village, and its Creative Community Campus runs short, affordable art workshops taught by local artists rather than a fixed course of classes. The programme changes each month and spans painting, mixed media, pottery, printmaking, life drawing and sewing for kids and adults. It suits anyone wanting to try a new medium without committing to a term.
Services
- Painting, drawing and mixed media workshops
- Pottery and clay sessions
- Life drawing and portrait clubs
- School holiday programmes for kids
- Group visits, team building and creative bootcamps
Highlights
- Registered charitable trust
- Campus includes a ceramics hub and a community sewing and textile hub
- Monthly clubs including Print Club and Weekly Portrait Club
- Free on-street parking on 17th Avenue
Location & Contact
Name: The Incubator Creative Hub
Address: The Historic Village, 159 17th Avenue, Tauranga South
Phone: 07 571 3232
Website: theincubator.co.nz
Art Schools in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Mount WildheART | Taught by a practising painter and sculptor |
| Paula Knight Art Tuition | Holds a certificate in adult teaching |
| Emma Prill Art Workshops | Exhibited in New Zealand and internationally |
| Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Windermere Campus | Tutors are practising artists and designers |
| The Incubator Creative Hub, Creative Community Campus | Registered charitable trust |
How to Choose the Right Art School in Tauranga
- Your goal: decide whether you want a relaxing weekly class, a one-off workshop, or a formal qualification that leads to creative work.
- Age and level: check whether classes are pitched at children, teens or adults, and whether complete beginners are welcome.
- Medium: look for a tutor who teaches the medium you want to learn, whether that is acrylic, watercolour, oils, pastel, clay or mixed media.
- Class size and format: small groups mean more one-on-one guidance; ask how many students each session takes.
- Location and timing: weigh up studios at Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, the Historic Village and Omokoroa against your commute, and check whether classes run in the mornings, evenings or school holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Art Schools
How much do art classes in Tauranga cost?
Prices vary by format. Single workshops for kids or adults are usually charged per session with materials often included, while weekly classes are typically paid by the term. Formal tertiary study is charged per year and may be covered by fees-free or StudyLink support. Always ask what materials are supplied before you book.
Are there art classes for kids in Tauranga?
Yes. Several studios run after-school or term classes and school holiday art workshops for children and teens, covering drawing, painting, collage and sculpture. Holiday workshops tend to book out early, so it pays to join a studio’s newsletter.
Can adult beginners join a painting class?
Most adult art classes welcome absolute beginners alongside more experienced painters. Tutors usually guide each student through their own project, so you learn at your own pace.
Where can I find an art class near me in Tauranga?
Studios are spread across the wider city: Mount Maunganui and Papamoa Beach in the east, the Historic Village in Tauranga South, and the Windermere campus in Poike. North of the city, Omokoroa is an easy drive for anyone in Bethlehem or the Western Bay of Plenty.
Can I get a recognised art qualification in Tauranga?
Yes. Tertiary providers in the city offer certificate and degree study in art and design. You can check that a qualification is approved and listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework through NZQA.
Can I get financial help to study art?
Students enrolled in approved tertiary art courses may be eligible for a student loan or allowance. Eligibility and how to apply are set out by StudyLink.
Do art tutors run private or group workshops?
Many local artists run one-off workshops for private groups, team building days, art parties and art societies. Contact the tutor directly to discuss numbers, medium and whether they can come to you.
What should I bring to my first art class?
Many workshops supply all materials, while some weekly classes ask you to bring your own paints and brushes after the first session. Wear clothes you do not mind getting paint on, and ask the tutor for a materials list when you book.
How We Chose the Best Art Schools in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for art schools in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.