Education Courses For the Busy Student
Art & Design
Urbanglass
Founded in 1977, UrbanGlass is currently the largest artist-access glass center in the United States. It offers a comprehensive education program of classes, workshops and intensives at every skill levelfrom novice to professionalin a wide variety of glassworking techniques, including glassblowing, hot casting, kiln casting, lampworking, fusing, slumping, neon, mosaics, stained glass and coldworking. Over 900 students come from around the world every year to study and work with a faculty that includes world-renowned artists and designers and acknowledged glass masters. It also supports The Bead Project, a free outreach program created specifically for low-income women, ages 18 and over, living in the New York City area. Application deadline extended through Aug. 31. [www.urbanglass.org](http://www.urbanglass.org/). ------
The Cooper Union
Dont be jealous of the smart, talented undergrads who attend one of the best schools in the country for free. Instead, take advantage of the exemplary faculty and get in on the action. Cooper offers plenty of diverse areas for further study (knitting and crocheting anyone?), but if youre looking to study architecture appreciation, check out Architecture Through a Mixed Media Lens. Its a way of learning to appreciate architecture while also applying the tools and skills that are used in architectural representation. Youll never look at a building the same way again. [www.cooper.edu/ce](http://cooperunion.augusoft.net/). ------
3rd Ward
This member-based art and design centered located in Williamsburg includes four photo studios, a professional wood and metal shop, a fully loaded digital media lab, shared and private work space and a large selection of interdisciplinary art classes (capped at 12 and averaging eight students). Intensives are offered on an ongoing basis and registration is required. [www.3rdward.com](http://www.3rdward.com/). ------
Parsons the New School for Design
If you want to get back to school but dont need to earn credit, Parsons offers certificate programswhich are more and less rigorous than a standard university degreein graphic and digital design, fashion design, fine art and interior design, among others. Beginning artists and designers will be introduced to the tools, materials and ideas that will be essential in whatever creative endeavor you hope to tackle. [www.newschool.edu](http://www.newschool.edu/). ------
Performing Arts
Brooklyn Guitar School
Maybe youve finally given up on that dream of fronting your own rock band, but that doesnt mean you still cant learn to thrash with the best of them while playing Rock Band. Maybe its time to enroll in a class at the Brooklyn Guitar School in downtown Brooklyn. Although kid classes are offered, 75 percent of the students here are adults and trial lessons (in case you cant commit) are just $50. [brooklynguitarschool.com]. ------
Stella Adler Studio of Acting
If you ever wondered where Brando learned his chops, look no further. It was Stella Adler who was his first acting coach, and the school she founded has trained thousands in technique over the decades since it opened. Fall workshops are offered in the evening for those looking to get their start or want to further their training in scene studies or master acting for television or film. [www.stellaadler.com](http://www.stellaadler.com/). ------
Atlantic Acting School
Students of acting who have busy schedules (whether tending bar or as desk monkeys) can still find time for script analysis and scene study at the school founded by David Mamet and William H. Macy. This program offers workshops with both morning and evening sessions. Focus on the Commercial Audition with Paul Urcioli on Monday evenings or figure out how to sustain yourself as a Working Actor with instructor Cynthia Silver. [www.atlanticactingschool.org](http://www.atlanticactingschool.org/). ------
Writing
The Writers institute
Maybe you dont think you have the time to quit everything and get that MFA you always dreamed about, but the program at the CUNY Graduate Center (Fifth Avenue and 34th Street) offers a one-year intensive certificate program that includes four evening writing workshops taught by a total of four editors. You can decide to go the fiction or non-fiction route. Granta here you come! [www.writersinstitute.gc.cuny.edu](http://www.writersinstitute.gc.cuny.edu/). ------
New School for General Studies
Having problems finishing that first draft? Learn the fundamentals of screenplay writing with working professionals who understand the field. The continuing education programs at the New School are offered for credit, certificate programs and for no-credit (if thats how you swing). Professors like Mort Scharfman have worked with everyone and have won some Emmys. Now its your turn for the close-up. [www.newschool.edu](http://www.newschool.edu/). ------
Film
School of Visual Arts
If youre still unsure if you want to plunk down some money for a class, check out the Sept. 1 information session coming up at SVA. You can meet the faculty, see what career options there are in the field and figure out the best way for you to tailor a course of study to your schedule. Hey, if you have the next talking sponge idea, dont you want to figure out how to make it a reality? [www.schoolofvisualarts.edu](http://www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/). ------
New York Film Academy
Seems everyone has a story to tell and everyone wants to make their own documentary. Feel like you dont quite have the skills required? Then check out the evening documentary program at the New York Film Academy. Its similar to the one-year intensive but allows students to spread the courses over two years in this part-time program. Youll work with crews and complete six short docs over the period while learning everything from lighting to craft. [www.nyfa.edu](http://www.nyfa.edu). ------
NYUs School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Movie lovers love to take Richard Browns class Movies 101, and part of that could be chalked up to the starpowerGeorge Clooney, Helen Mirren, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep and others have been guest speakers in Movies 101but its also the high level of discussion about the best movies in the world. [www.scps.nyu.edu](http://www.scps.nyu.edu/).