The best arts and crafts classes for team building

Arts and crafts classes are ideal team building activities due to their ability to encourage creativity and foster collaboration among participants, especially in hybrid or remote work environments. Traditional team building activities that are often conducted in the office can sometimes feel forced or overly competitive. Art classes to help with team building differ by creating a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere where team members can connect on a more personal level. 

Another advantage of choosing art and crafts classes for team building is their accessibility, particularly for remote teams. With the rise of virtual art classes, team members can engage in creative activities together, no matter where they are located. This inclusivity makes arts and crafts classes an excellent option for diverse teams with different skill levels or experience. Art classes also provide a much-needed break from the usual work routine by offering employees the chance to step away from their screens and engage in creative problem-solving. This change of pace can spark fresh ideas and leave your staff feeling refreshed and more connected to their work.

Team building art classes are designed to be inclusive, so all teams can participate regardless of their artistic background. Each class typically begins with a brief introduction by a friendly host who explains the project and the techniques that will be covered. Whether participants are working individually or as part of a group, the host may demonstrate key steps to guide them through the creative process. Throughout the event, the host is always available to offer support and answer questions to make sure all participants stay engaged and feel confident in their creative ideas.

The environment in team building arts and crafts classes is relaxed and encourages conversation. Some hosts may ask trivia questions during events or put on a playlist to lighten the atmosphere. Team members are encouraged to chat, share their progress, and offer feedback on each other’s work, which will carry over into the workplace. In some sessions, teams might be divided into smaller groups to work on collaborative projects, which is particularly valuable for larger teams as it helps every member have an opportunity to actively participate. Depending on the nature of the activity, there may be a period at the end of the event where everyone can show off their creation or reflect on what they’ve learned. This concluding element reinforces the lessons of the day and helps integrate the creative insights gained into the team’s everyday interactions.

There are numerous types of art classes for team building, so it’s crucial to sit back and evaluate which is best for your specific group. To make the best choice, consider factors such as your team’s interests, the size of your group, and the goals you hope to achieve through the event. Start by thinking about what activities might resonate most with your team. Some team members might prefer hands-on activities like pottery, while others may enjoy the collaborative nature of virtual escape rooms for groups. You should also consider the logistics of your group, including how many people will be attending and if all of your team is able to attend in person or if you will need virtual classes. There are in-person team building cooking classes and mixology classes in New York City for those who are locals, though virtual events provide all of the same interactivity and engagement as other options.

To make sure you choose an arts and crafts class that resonates with your team, consider creating a simple survey. This can be done through an online form where team members rank their interests in different types of activities, which can be anything from painting and pottery to hand-pouring candles. Include questions that evaluate their comfort level with different mediums, like whether they prefer hands-on activities or more instructional sessions and if they have any previous experience in the arts. Overall, a survey will give you a clear picture of what activities might engage your team the most and help you determine which will have the better outcome when comparing all the classes in your local area to options available virtually.

Once you’ve gathered insights from your team, think about how each activity aligns with your team's broader goals. For example, if your objective is to help encourage creative thinking, consider a class that involves abstract painting or creative collage work, where your team will be encouraged to think outside the box. If building trust and communication is the priority, a collaborative project like mural painting or group sculpture could be more successful. Beyond personal preferences, logistics play another role in choosing the right art class. If your team is spread across multiple locations, virtual arts and crafts classes may be the best option so that everyone can participate without travel concerns. For larger teams, consider breaking them into smaller groups to try and make sure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute and get involved. Additionally, estimate the time commitment required for each class and choose an activity that fits within your team's schedule, whether it's a short, one-hour session or a more extended workshop.

Enhanced creativity

Any type of art class, regardless of the specific activity, provides a great way for your team to step outside of the office and put on their creative thinking hats. The relaxed environment of an arts and crafts class can gently encourage participants to think outside the box and feel confident enough in their ideas to express them in new ways. With some of the most popular classes being hands-on activities like pottery, sculpture, painting, and drawing, there’s a valuable opportunity to explore different artistic mediums while growing closer as a team. Working together on creative projects during team building arts and crafts classes gives every participant a chance to offer their unique perspectives and gain a sense of their creative voice, which can translate into the workplace as a stronger sense of creativity and improved communication skills. 

Reduced stress and tension

No matter what industry your organization is a part of, there’s bound to be some form of workplace stress. It’s an inevitable factor in nearly every career, but finding ways to reduce and manage that stress is key to maintaining a healthy work environment. There are numerous studies highlighting arts and crafts classes and their ability to reduce stress for overall health and well-being. Art classes are a fun and therapeutic outlet for teams of any size that need a way to disconnect and unwind but are still engaging with hands-on elements. Scheduling team building arts and crafts classes for your group provides valuable benefits for your organization, but those who continue to integrate these activities into their stress management routines can see a greater impact of these benefits in their lives as a whole. 

Stronger communication skills

Building off of the boost in creativity that teams benefit from when taking art classes, they can also see an improvement in their group’s communication skills after one of these events. Some art mediums, like group painting events or mosaic projects, require each participant to collaborate and work together to create the final product. It’s common for these types of activities to require teams to discuss techniques, offer constructive feedback, and work together to solve creative challenges, highlighting how these interactions help team members develop stronger communication skills. The relaxed and laid-back nature of art classes also promotes an environment where individuals feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts than they might in a work scenario, though the overall goal is for the confidence to carry over into their professional skills as well. 

Boost in morale and engagement

Team building activities are excellent vessels for encouraging your team to stay engaged and boosting their morale. With art classes specifically, having an opportunity to step away from monotonous work tasks and engage in a hands-on, creative activity helps provide a refreshing change of pace. This shift allows your group to get to know each other in a different setting and experience how fun it can be to learn something new, like painting or sculpting. They’ll get to walk through the entire creative process with one another and celebrate each other’s progress at the end of the event. Art classes are meant to foster a supportive environment, which your team can carry back into their professional skills as higher morale and better engagement. Teams in a positive workspace who feel connected to their group are more likely to be motivated than those struggling to make connections.

The specific syllabus for team building arts and crafts classes will vary between activities, but some elements of these events stay the same regardless of the subject. The key features below are just some of the things you can expect during these classes for both in-person and virtual offerings. 

Live instructor or host

Choosing an arts and crafts class for your team doesn’t mean you’ll have to try and coordinate the event and teach the course yourself. These types of classes have an experienced host or instructor who is available for in-person and virtual classes to demonstrate artistic techniques and help students who run into roadblocks. This means you’ll never have to navigate the ins and outs of these specialty projects alone, as each host has real-world experience working in their medium. They will be available during the entire event to answer questions and provide feedback, as well as keep the energy up and make sure everyone feels included during the activity. This is ideal for beginners who are completely new to the artistic medium and those who tend to be more reserved during group classes. 

Hands-on creative time

Arts and crafts classes are an excellent way to get hands-on experience with different mediums and encourage engagement from your team. This is because while some of the class focuses on demonstrations from the host, there’s also a good portion of time dedicated to your group getting hands-on with the project. Each participant is encouraged to get inventive and put their unique spin on their creation so that they’ll be able to showcase it to their colleagues at the end of the class. Hands-on time to unwind and get creative is ultimately a great way to apply newfound skills, whether working on individual projects or group pieces. There’s also the added benefit of the tactile experience of working with materials like clay and being able to watch a piece of art truly come to life in a three-dimensional form. 

Collaborative opportunities

While some art mediums are generally geared more toward independent projects, many provide an ideal opportunity for team collaboration. For example, a group mosaic class would find participants working together to piece the small materials together to form a bigger piece of artwork. This is a task that requires teamwork, collaboration, and patience, as not everyone will have the same design sense. Some may feel pieces are better placed elsewhere, and creative voices may be challenged. These scenarios can mimic real-life workplace dynamics where differing opinions must be balanced to achieve a common goal. In a collaborative art class, participants learn to communicate their ideas and compromise when necessary, which they can then apply to their professional skill set. 

Chance to learn new skills

One of the most prominent benefits of crafting classes is the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and learn something new. There are countless types of crafting activities suitable for groups of any size, ranging from classic events like pottery and sculpting to more cutting-edge classes like working with epoxy resin or learning the art of wood burning. These are skills your team can take with them into their personal lives as a new hobby or small business venture, while their newfound confidence in voicing and bringing their creative action to life is applicable to a work environment in more ways than you’d think. For example, employees who use these classes to become more comfortable expressing their ideas to the group may notice an improvement in their problem-solving abilities and overall approach to daily tasks. 

Non-competitive fun for teams

While competitive events have their place when it comes to professional development for teams, non-competitive activities tend to emphasize elements like sharing a creative experience and improving collaboration skills in a low-stakes environment. Instead of focusing solely on winning or losing, non-competitive arts and craft classes are perfect for inclusivity and creating an environment where participants can contribute at their own pace. There’s no pressure to outperform anyone, and the relaxed atmosphere can help more reserved team members build trust and camaraderie without the tension that competitive activities can sometimes create.

Stronger relationships

Interpersonal relationships are defined as social and emotional connections between individuals, whether that be for colleagues, friends, neighbors, family members, acquaintances, or anyone who shares regular interactions. These types of relationships are fundamental for building trust and keeping a cooperative atmosphere, especially in a team environment where healthy collaboration is key to success. Additionally, working together or just experiencing a creative class as a group can help each participant gain a new look at each other's personalities, work habits, and communication styles outside of what they see in a professional setting. Having healthy, strong relationships can translate into better collaboration, as teams feel more comfortable sharing ideas. This can promote a more cohesive team and enhance overall workplace morale through these shared experiences.

A relaxed and fun environment

Those who have never taken an art or craft class as an adult may be unfamiliar with the environment and unsure of what to expect altogether. They may assume it will be a strict and uptight atmosphere similar to a lecture hall, but team building arts and crafts classes provide an entirely different environment. These classes are meant to be relaxed and welcoming to all participants as a friendly break from the office. There’s typically an informal atmosphere that’s meant to encourage creativity without the pressures of having to be perfect or achieve some sort of artistic mastery. Instead, much of the emphasis is on enjoying the process and learning a new skill while growing closer to the team. A casual setting can promote laughter and open conversation, helping them to connect on a more personal level.

No matter your organization's goals, there are numerous benefits and things you can expect during a team building arts and crafts class. Each medium will have a different curriculum and layout, but you’ll be able to find these fundamental elements in nearly every type of art class. Consistency is key when it comes to mastering a new skill and strengthening team relationships, all elements you can highlight during an arts and crafts class.

When evaluating arts and crafts classes against other types of team-building activities, it’s important to consider the unique benefits that creative projects offer. Traditional office events are tried and true but may not appeal to everyone, especially for those with a diverse workforce. When you have your team attend an art class, the low-pressure environment allows them to relax and work at their own pace. However, there are numerous types of virtual team building games outside of art that can help bring your staff together. For example, you can set up a virtual holiday party for your team where they can play festive games and get in the holiday spirit or host a virtual white elephant gift exchange where you can create a fun theme for the gifts or add your own unique twist to the event. Culinary activities, like team building cooking classes and mixology workshops, are popular choices for team building because they offer a fast-paced blend of creativity and practicality. However, while these activities focus on teamwork in a kitchen setting, arts and crafts classes provide a different kind of creative outlet. ​​Activities like painting or sculpting allow team members to express themselves in ways that go beyond the functional, like abstract thinking and personal expression. This can lead to deeper conversations among team members that can carry over into the workplace. 

Escape rooms are often chosen for their ability to promote problem-solving and quick thinking under pressure. They are highly interactive and require teamwork to succeed. In contrast, arts and crafts classes offer a more relaxed environment where creativity can flow without the urgency of a ticking clock. This calm, introspective atmosphere can be especially beneficial for teams that need to decompress from high-stress environments, allowing them to bond over shared creative experiences more leisurely and reflectively. Game-based team-building activities, like trivia or virtual scavenger hunts, are excellent for sparking friendly competition and encouraging collaboration. On the other hand, arts and crafts classes help to shift the focus from competition to cooperation and self-expression. They provide a platform where team members can support each other’s creative endeavors and constructively share feedback.