CAMI's Pick: From Here to Everywhere - Saturday Art Class

At the Children’s Art Museum of India (CAMI), we believe that every child is an artist with a unique voice. Saturday Art Class, a remarkable Mumbai-based non-profit, brings this belief to life through the power of visual arts and social-emotional learning. What began as a weekly experiment in a public school classroom has grown into a movement that’s transforming how children across India experience education and self-expression.

The story began when co-founders Manasi and Chhavi taught in a school near a slum community. Many students came from difficult circumstances, and since the school—like many others—focused heavily on academics, they had no creative outlet to express themselves or escape their harsh realities. In order to create more room for creativity and emotional wellbeing of the children, the founders introduced a weekly art session. Those sessions soon became the highlight of the entire week—students shared stories, collaborated on ideas, and found joy in creating. Later, they named it "Saturday Art Class" after the day it used to take place. 

From that classroom spark emerged a powerful question: What if more children across the country had access to such spaces? Saturday Art Class was born from that question—and today, it continues to answer it with action, impact, and imagination. 

Programs That Make a Difference 

Since its inception, Saturday Art Class has developed a system-integrated model that aligns their work with national education frameworks, making it scalable and sustainable. Their work is rooted in three core programs: 

• Art for Educator 

This flagship program equips teachers from schools and grassroots organizations with the tools to deliver engaging art and SEL sessions. Educators receive age-appropriate curriculum, training, and continued support throughout the year. Since 2017, over 600 educators have been trained, reaching more than 1.9 lakh students across 15 states of India. 

• Art Labs 

This program is conducted in ‘model schools’ where Saturday Art Class directly facilitates sessions from Grades 1 to 8. The schools serve as sites of hands-on learning and research about how art engagement supports children’s emotional growth and cognitive development. In the year 2024-2025 alone, they have directly worked with over 550 students through this model. 

• Art-a-Day 

This program extends the joy of art to varied audiences through workshops conducted in partnership with CSRs, schools, museums, and community organizations. These workshops are conducted through engaging techniques that ensure accessibility, cultural relevance, and a sense of safety. They integrate age-appropriate artistic techniques with social-emotional themes like empathy, self-awareness, and teamwork. They also try to blend tradition with innovation by featuring both Indian and global art influences—from Madhubani and Warli to Cubism and Surrealism.  

Creating Long-Term Impact 

Saturday Art Class fosters an environment where there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to create. Every student’s effort is validated, and expression is celebrated over perfection. This philosophy came alive in a touching moment when Arbaaz, a Grade 8 student from Shankarwadi MPS, Mumbai, shared, “Art is art, and we shouldn’t throw it away thoughtlessly.” His respect for the creative process reflects what SArC truly stands for giving children agency, voice, and pride in their expression. Educators grow meaningfully through the program too, with 92% of them reporting stronger connections with their students. Skills like asking inquiry-based questions, validating student artworks, and encouraging group sharing have also shown noticeable improvement. 

SArC’s engagement extends beyond classrooms, too. Last year, they organised 27 unique workshops reaching nearly 1,000 participants, bringing visual arts to museums, art festivals, and new communities. The members say that they feel fulfilled knowing that they are going beyond mere training to create a culture where creativity and connection grow. 

CAMI’s Takeaway 

At CAMI, we are proud to feature Saturday Art Class as a shining example of how art can create change at both an individual and systemic level. We’re inspired by how Saturday Art Class integrates visual arts into mainstream education while never losing sight of joy, emotion, and human connection. Their programs don’t treat art as an extra—they treat it as essential. They remind us that when a child is given space to express, they create not only art—but self-confidence, compassion, and community. 

In their words and ours: every child is an artist. And when we nurture that belief, we nurture a better world.

🔗 Explore more at: www.childrensartmuseumofindia.com

#ChildrensArtMuseumIndia, #DrawYourEmotions, #ArtFestIndia, #DrawingForStressRelief, #ArtAndEmotions, #KidsArtIndia, #StressFreeLearning, #CreativeHealing, #ArtForWellbeing #EmotionalIntelligenceForKids #Saturdayartclass #camispick #learning #art