Registration Information

Fall 2023 Registration is now open!

Registration for Summer Classes is currently available!

PAFA no longer requires COVID vaccination as of May 4, 2023, based on current science and City of Philadelphia regulations.  However, PAFA and the CDC strongly recommend full COVID vaccination and booster shots for all students and employees who are eligible, including the bivalent booster.  We will continue to monitor campus policies for COVID-19 safety and prevention, in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.  (See Fall CE Policy Guide for complete information.)

Register Online  

Summer Registration/Session Dates:

  • CE Fall Semester: September 14 – December 10
  • CE Fall Registration Deadlines:  Varies by start date – see course descriptions
  • Open Academy Semester (15-Wk BFA Classes): August 30 – December 18
  • Open Academy Registration Deadline: August 25
  • CE Studio Rental Program: September 5 – December 16
  • CE Studio Rental Program Registration Deadline: August 28

Fall Holidays (No classes; facilities and administrative offices closed, except where noted):

  • Indigenous Peoples Day, Monday, October 9
  • Thanksgiving Break, Thursday – Sunday, November 23 – 26

Save on Tuition

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PAFA Members Save 10% on CE Classes

PAFA is pleased to offer a 10% discount on CE courses, workshops, and Master Classes for members at the Friend level and above.  Special programs such as Open Academy, Studio Rental, and Summer Studio/Critique are ineligible.

christine lafuente master class

Refer A Friend, Get 10% Off

Refer a first-time Continuing Education registrant, and you and the new student will receive a 10% discount on tuition for one regular CE class or workshop within the current semester (Master Classes and Special Programs Special programs such as Open Academy, Studio Rental, and Summer Studio/Critique are excluded).   Some restrictions apply.

Cityscape Painting

Financial Assistance Available

CE Community Scholarships offer partial tuition assistance to adult students who demonstrate financial need and dedication to their art.  Some restrictions apply.  Master Classes and Special Programs Special programs such as Open Academy, Studio Rental, and Summer Studio/Critique are ineligible for scholarship assistance.

Botanical Drawing and Painting

Early Bird Discount for Fall Classes

Register for Fall classes by Monday, August 21, and receive a 10% discount!  Use the promo code EARLYBIRDFALL2023 at check-out (be sure to click the “+” symbol).  PAFA members at the Friend level and above will receive an additional 10% off this discounted rate.  (Master Classes and Special Programs Special programs such as Open Academy, Studio Rental, and Summer Studio/Critique are excluded from discounts.)

Tuition & Fees

Course Tuition

  • Course tuition prices are as posted in course descriptions in the online catalogCourse tuition varies based on length, live/ Zoom contact hours, and asynchronous content on Canvas. 
  • Tuition rates vary for Special Programming such as Workshops, Lectures, Seminars, and Master Classes.  Please refer to individual course descriptions.
  • Full payment is due at the time of registration.  PAFA cannot prorate courses for late registration, withdrawals or missed classes.

Lab and Material Fees

Please consult individual course descriptions for any applicable lab or materials fees.


Model Fees 

Courses that incorporate the use of models include model fees—see individual course descriptions.


Locker Rentals (for On-Campus Courses Only)

Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $25.  Locker rental is not available for weekend workshops.  Lockers cannot be held, with items left inside, between semesters.

Payment Options

Registration and payment is available online via VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card.  PayPal payment arrangements may be available upon request for international addresses.

Mailed and in-person check, money order, or cash payments may be accepted by special arrangement. Payment may be provided in the form of check, money order, or credit card.  Make checks or money orders payable to “PAFA.”

Please email continuinged@pafa.edu for directions for registration and payment by cash, check, money order, or PayPal. 

Registration Information For Online Courses

Continuing Education is pleased to continue availability of online course offerings. In addition to the required art-making materials indicated for each course, students typically need only a computer other device with a high-speed internet connection to participate, as well as a means of photographing artwork to upload for studio/critique-based courses -- a cell phone camera will suffice.  See detailed information for Zoom requirements below.

Online courses feature asynchronous instruction, allowing students to take advantage of posted course content any time of day, and/or synchronous instruction, scheduled for specific days and times via live Zoom videoconferencing sessions.  Many courses utilize combination of these formats.  See course descriptions. Standard courses consist of approximately 3 hours of weekly content, either Zoom-only or as a combination of synchronous Zoom instruction and asynchronous Canvas content in the form of assignments/feedback, artist references, and/or posted handouts or videos.  Condensed Courses are comprised of a greater number of content hours over fewer weeks. Live, Zoom-only lectures or mindfulness courses may meet for fewer hours.    

Note:  It is strongly recommended that you add the pafa.edu domain, as well as the Canvas and CourseStorm notification emails below, to your list of approved senders in your email, to ensure that you are receiving all pertinent information and communications regarding your enrollment. 

Asynchronous (Canvas) Online Instruction:

  • Courses with asynchronous online instruction utilize Canvas as their online learning platform. Canvas allows students to view course content (video, images, text), upload homework assignments for instructor feedback, and communicate both with the instructor one-on-one and with other students via message boards.  The course content is typically uploaded each Monday (or other designated start date), and enrolled students have 24-hour access to all posted content to pursue according to their personal schedule.
  • Enrolled students will receive an invitation to join Canvas by their course start date.  Emailed invitations will be sent via canvas@pafa.edu / notifications@instructure.comPlease be sure to check your email junk/spam or "All Mail" folders and approve sender. 
  • Registrations shortly before the course start date may receive Canvas information the day-of, or shortly following, the first day of class.  Usually this will not result in missed content:  Course information uploaded on Canvas is available for the duration of the course. 
  • For Canvas instructions (following acceptance of the emailed invitation to login) see PAFA's Canvas FAQs.  

Synchronous (Zoom) Online Instruction:

  • Courses with synchronous courses utilize Zoom for live videoconferencing. Review PAFA's list of Zoom Technical Requirements for details about participating in Zoom courses.
  • Course times are included in the course description.  All posted meetings take place in Eastern Time.
  • Enrolled students will be emailed instructions for accessing Zoom sessions via CourseStorm registration reminders two days before the course start date.  Registration reminders/receipts are emailed via notifications@coursestorm.comPlease be sure to check your email junk/spam or "All Mail" folders and approve sender. It is strongly recommended that students take advantage of the Zoom tutorials (included in the Zoom instructions, or via https://zoom.us) before the course begins. 
  • Registrations shortly before the course start date/time may receive Zoom instructions on their CourseStorm registration receipts or emailed separately. 
  • Zoom sessions may be recorded.  By registering for a Zoom class, students agree to participate in recorded sessions; however, students may elect to adjust setting so as to ensure that they are not visible to other participants/viewers. Recorded Zoom sessions may be viewed later by students registered in the course, but will not be shared beyond enrolled students.  Students are not to download and/or share class recordings.
  • Please note:  Faculty are not required to record or make recordings available to students; however, many instructors do provide this option.  Students requesting recordings must do so from the instructor -- the CE office cannot provide a faculty member's zoom recordings. 

Please contact Continuing Education with any questions at continuinged@pafa.edu.


Contact Continuing Education

Thank you for your interest in PAFA's CE programs. Join our community of dedicated artists of all ages and skill levels:  Continuing Education offers exceptional studio art classes and workshops for beginner to advanced artists outside of PAFA's degree programs, available to both museum members and the general public.

Telephone: (215) 972–7632

Email: