NIAD provides classes five days a week, six hours per day. The student artists learn drawing and painting, printmaking, ceramics, textile arts, jewelry design and sculpturing under the guidance of five professional artists in a bilingual (Spanish/English) environment. NIAD also provides weekly classes in independent living skills taught by a professional in the field.

The master artist/teachers demonstrate a variety of approaches in a given discipline, encourage the artists to experiment, and coach them on techniques to develop their individual styles. NIAD artists are encouraged to make their own choices and to work as independently as possible. They typically work in groups of eight with the same master artist/teacher for three months at a time, changing classes and disciplines quarterly. A few, more advanced artists work only in their chosen discipline.

Group critiques, books and slide shows on art techniques, and visits to galleries and museums stimulate the imagination of our artists and challenge them to explore the many forms of artistic expression available. Classes in independent living skills help NIAD artists meet the emotional and situational demands of integrating into the community. The curriculum includes advocacy, interpersonal social skills, money management, mobility training, self care and culinary arts.

The main teaching staff is composed of Andres Cisneros-Galindo, Tomoko Murakami, Janet Moore, and Carol Stewart.

Click here to learn more about the teaching staff.