Anderson Ranch welcomes students of all levels of experience—absolute beginners to professionals. Some of our classes are tailored for beginners and some require prior experience; most welcome a range of skill levels. Our guidelines are intended to help you determine what classes are best suited to your level of experience. Each workshop has been rated with one or more skill levels. These levels indicate the technical knowledge and experience a student should have to effectively participate in the course. Please reference this list before registering and apply only to courses that are appropriate for your experience level. Some advanced workshops may have additional prerequisites and/or require a portfolio submission; this will be indicated in the individual course descriptions.

Critical Studies Lectures Series & Studio Tours Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Photography Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students are new to photography and have no formal training. Digital students must have basic computer skills.

Level II – Students should have a basic understanding of photographic principles and technology and be comfortable using an SLR camera in manual mode.

Level III – Students have some formal training and significant experience making, capturing and processing images. Students have a portfolio of their artwork. Digital students are comfortable using image-editing techniques in Adobe Photoshop.

Level IV – Students have advanced skill and knowledge of photography. Students are highly motivated and have multiple portfolios of their artwork. Digital students are comfortable using advanced image-editing techniques in Adobe Photoshop.

New Media Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students have basic computer literacy but no formal training in video, multimedia or animation.

Level II – Students have a basic understanding of video, multimedia and animation software. Students are comfortable using a Macintosh computer.

Level III – Students have some formal training in conceptual and technological aspects of video, multimedia or animation software and have a portfolio or reel of their artwork.

Level IV – Students have advanced skills and knowledge of video, multimedia or animation. Students are highly motivated and have multiple portfolios of their artwork.

Painting & Drawing Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students have very limited experience or none at all. Classes usually start with a full day of basic instruction.

Level II – Students have basic knowledge of 2D art making including form, shading, negative space, value, line and contrast.

Level III – Students have formal training in critical aspects of 2D painting, experience with public critiques and a solid portfolio of their artwork.

Level IV – Students have advanced skill and knowledge of the painting/drawing field. Students have a minimum of five years experience in the field and multiple portfolios of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists. Portfolio review is required for admittance to Level IV classes.

Printmaking Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students are new to printmaking and have no formal training.

Level II – Students have a basic understanding of press operation, tools common to printmaking, paper preparation and basic principles of registration.

Level III – Students have significant experience in at least one print medium, have knowledge of print studio operations and understand the concepts of multiple color drops and registration. Students are able to work in a print shop without assistance.

Level IV – Students have advanced skill and knowledge of printmaking. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field, and have multiple portfolios of their artwork.

Ceramics Skill Levels

Open to All - Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students are new to ceramics and have no formal training.

Level II – Students have a basic understanding of forming techniques such as throwing and handbuilding. Students have taken one or two ceramics classes or workshops.

Level III – Students have significant experience with clay forming techniques such as throwing, handbuilding and modeling. Students are comfortable with ceramics equipment such as wheels, extruders and slab rollers. Students are self-starting with some formal training and have taken a minimum of three classes or workshops.

Level IV – Students have advanced skills and knowledge of the ceramics field. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field, and have a portfolio of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.

Furniture Design & Woodworking Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students who are new to woodworking and design and have no formal training.

Level II – Students should have experience working with stationary machines and power tools and be familiar with basic principles of joinery and 3D design.

Level III – Students should have some formal training in 3D design, experience with a variety of materials and fabrication processes, and know how to use machine and hand tools competently and safely. Students should have a portfolio of their artwork.

Level IV – Students should have advanced skill/knowledge of furniture design. Students need to be highly motivated with five years or more of experience in the field, and should have multiple portfolios of their artwork. Typical students include academics and professional artists.

Woodturning Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students are new to woodturning and have no formal training.

Level II – Students have a basic understanding of fundamental turning tools and techniques and are comfortable using and sharpening bowl gouges and spindle gouges.

Level III – Students have significant turning experience using both green and kiln-dried lumber. Students are capable of selecting wood, able to use and sharpen gouges, and familiar with basic principles of 3D design. Students have some formal technical training in woodturning and have a portfolio of their artwork.

Level IV – Students have advanced skill and knowledge of woodturning. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field, and have multiple portfolios of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.

Sculpture Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Level I – Students are new to sculpture and have no formal training.

Level II – Students have a basic knowledge of 3D art making and sculpture concepts and are comfortable using a variety of hand and power tools. Students have taken one or two sculpture classes or workshops.

Level III – Students have experience with a variety of materials and fabrication techniques and know how to use hand and power tools competently and safely. Students are self-starting with some formal training in critical aspects of sculpture and have completed a portfolio of work. Students have taken a minimum of three classes or workshops.

Level IV – Students have advanced skills and knowledge of sculpture. Students are highly motivated, have a minimum of five years experience in the field and have multiple portfolios of their artwork. Typical students are academics and professional artists.

Interdisciplinary Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Field Expeditions Skill Levels

Open to All – Students of any skill/knowledge level.

Childrens' Program Skill Levels

Open to All – Subject to specific age requirements, students of any skill/knowledge level.

Teens' Program Skill Levels

Open to All - Subject to specific age requirements, any skill/knowledge level.