About Vanessa and ARTARY
Vanessa is the Founder and Director of ARTARY, a homegrown Singapore art education brand that has been nurturing young artists since 2011. What began as a single studio in Kovan City has since expanded into a network of nine locations serving families across the island.
ARTARY was built on a deep passion for children and a firm belief in the transformative role of art in early development. Unlike many programmes that emphasise free expression alone, ARTARY combines structure with inspiration—equipping children with strong foundational skills while encouraging them to explore their creativity with confidence.
The Journey: From Corporate Design to Children’s Art Education
Could you share a bit about your personal journey in education and what led you to start an art school?
Vanessa’s path to founding ARTARY was anything but conventional. Trained in graphic and communication design at LASALLE College of the Arts, she began her career in corporate digital design but soon realised the work left her unfulfilled. In 2008, a chance opportunity at a private preschool changed her trajectory: she was tasked with creating interactive art experiences using recyclable materials and creative installations, introducing children to learning through play. The role sparked her fascination with how art could shape early childhood development, a passion that deepened further through her work with children with special needs.
When she left the preschool, Vanessa took a leap of faith. With no studio or brand behind her, she spent two years teaching art in students’ homes—an experience that not only honed her teaching methods but also gave her a close-up view of how families valued art in their children’s lives. Spotting a gap in the market where structured fine art education for children was rare in Singapore, she made the bold decision to build her own programme. That vision became ARTARY, which has since grown into one of Singapore’s leading art education networks.
Early Challenges: Building From the Ground Up
What challenges did you face in the early days, and how did you overcome them?
Starting ARTARY required both creativity and resilience. At just 24 with limited capital, Vanessa had to be highly strategic in building her business from the ground up. “I had very limited capital then, having just graduated from college. So I focused on building a base by teaching private art lessons in students’ homes for two years. Through word-of-mouth referrals, my customer base steadily grew—but eventually, I reached a point where I simply couldn’t manage it all on my own.”
To meet demand, she began hiring teachers to provide home-based lessons. While effective in the short term, she quickly realised the model had scalability constraints. “This couldn’t go on forever. There needed to be progression.”
The breakthrough came when she partnered with co-founder Sebastian, who brought crucial business and technical expertise. Together, they developed a proprietary smart system that streamlined lesson plans, administrative processes, and internal operations—laying a strong foundation for ARTARY to scale efficiently.
This proprietary system soon became ARTARY’s competitive edge. “It underpins our entire organisation. Today, across 9 locations, the system ensures consistency—standardising lesson curriculum, training programmes, and administrative processes so that operations can run seamlessly in parallel.”
Defining Success: Structure Meets Creativity
How do you define success for your students—and how do you help them achieve it?
ARTARY’s approach to success is holistic. Rather than focusing solely on winning competitions and crafting impossibly beautiful portfolios, ARTARY emphasises strong foundations and personal growth. To balance structure with flexibility, she developed a comprehensive fine arts curriculum—refined over a decade—that equips teachers with a solid framework while allowing room for individual adaptation. Today, this scalable system ensures quality across all campuses while nurturing both artistic skills and children’s confidence.
Success at ARTARY is defined in many ways. “We are proud of students whose artworks have been featured on handbook covers and calendars, but equally meaningful are the transformations in children who once struggled with low self-esteem and have since gained confidence and self-expression through art.”
Addressing Parent Misconceptions
What are some misconceptions parents often have when choosing enrichment programs?
One of ARTARY’s key challenges has been guiding parents to appreciate the value of structured learning in art education.
“My advice is not to focus solely on the final artwork. True artistic development begins with guidance—copying and referencing are essential to mastering technical skills before a child can cultivate their own imagination and style.”
Some parents initially resist this structured approach. “They may question, ‘Why follow ARTARY’s methods instead of letting my child create entirely independently?’ My response is straightforward: without foundational instruction, children cannot develop their own unique style. Every artist starts somewhere.”
To accommodate varying expectations, ARTARY has integrated learning preference settings into its system. “When parents renew monthly, they can specify priorities such as completion of artwork, level of guidance, and emphasis on aesthetics. This ensures each child’s learning experience is both personalised and aligned with the parent’s goals.”
Innovation: The Future with AI and Digital Art
How do you see enrichment education evolving in the next 5 years?
Vanessa will be positioning ARTARY at the forefront of educational innovation by integrating AI and digital art into the curriculum—a move inspired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent National Day speech.
“While I was initially cautious about introducing AI due to its potential pros and cons for children, the Prime Minister highlighted its growing importance, and I decided it was time to embrace it,” she explains. Moving forward, ARTARY will build on its strong foundation in traditional art by incorporating digital art and AI, helping students develop both technical skills and creative fluency.
The initiative also addresses practical needs: “Digital illustration is increasingly required for school portfolios, particularly for students applying through DSA art pathways. Introducing these skills prepares them for the next stage of their artistic journey.”
The approach will be age-appropriate and ethically guided, focusing on students from around 8 years old and emphasising responsible, thoughtful use of AI in their learning.
Beyond Traditional Classes: SUPER ART®
A recent innovation that showcases ARTARY’s adaptability and innovation is their new launch of the SUPER ART® workshops – a huge variety of more casual, short creative art workshops for all ages.
ARTARY recently launched SUPER ART®, a new brand under ARTARY offering flexible, hands-on short art workshops for adults, children, families, and parents. “These workshops are designed to be engaging and accessible, allowing participants to explore creativity without the pressure of achieving perfection,” she explains. Activities range from paint pouring to batik painting to decorative crafts, helping participants discover their interest in art and whether they wish to pursue it further.
The programme has also created new revenue opportunities. “We host birthday parties and have attracted a number of ambassadors, including KOLs and celebrities, who book workshops for their children,” Vanessa shares. SUPER ART® extends to corporate clients as well, catering to couples, team-building events, and even companies looking to thank clients, making it a versatile platform that combines recreation with engagement.
Franchise Plans and Future Growth
ARTARY is taking a measured and strategic approach to expansion through investment. “Quality is paramount, so I’m seeking partners who share our vision while allowing us to maintain oversight,” Vanessa explains. With interest already from potential investors, her focus now lies in refining the business model, developing standard operating procedures, and finalising operational frameworks to ensure consistency and quality across all locations.
Key Advice for Parents
If you could give one piece of advice to a parent navigating today’s education options, what would it be?
Vanessa emphasizes the importance of understanding the learning process and managing expectations. “Completing an artwork is a crucial part of the journey—it’s not just about aesthetics or competing. Developing artistic skills and confidence takes time, often several years, and it’s essential to trust the process and let it unfold naturally,” she explains.
She also highlights the value of structured learning: “Our curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation while fostering confidence, guiding each child along a meaningful path toward creativity. Teachers offer support as needed, and parents can communicate their preferences to ensure the level of assistance aligns with their child’s needs.”
Looking Ahead
ARTARY’s future plans balance local expansion with international ambition. “We aim to reach more neighbourhoods across Singapore, making quality art education accessible to more families. At the same time, we are committed to giving back through meaningful CSR collaborations with non-profit organisations. In the long term, we hope to bring our homegrown Singapore brand to the international stage,” Vanessa shares.
The integration of AI and digital art marks the beginning of ARTARY’s ongoing evolution. “I’m not focused on growth for growth’s sake. My priority is implementing AI thoughtfully to elevate learning and help our students reach the next stage of their artistic journey,” she explains.
Over 15 years of growth and innovation, Vanessa has transformed ARTARY into more than an art school—it is now a comprehensive ecosystem that nurtures creativity while fostering essential life skills. Her journey from corporate designer to education entrepreneur illustrates how passion, strategic thinking, and technological innovation can create a lasting impact on children’s development.
ARTARY currently operates 9 locations across Singapore. For more information about their programmes, including traditional art classes and the new SUPER ART® workshops, visit their website or contact their centres directly.
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