What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

The Art Effect

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

The Art Effect empowers youth to develop their artistic voice to shape their futures. Winner of 2025 Best of HV for "Best Kids Art Classes"!

10/23/2026

Take a look at these photos for a glimpse into the creativity and excitement of the Art Institute’s first ever session of Exploring Photography! 🎨

Each Saturday, our talented cohort of young creatives, ages 8-11, explores the art of framing and composition, mastering professional equipment, and bringing their vision to life with industry-grade editing software.

It has been truly inspiring to watch these budding photographers grow their skills and develop their own artistic perspectives each week!

10/22/2026

Forge Media wrapped filming on the winning commercial for Dutchess County Government’s 2026 “Escape the Vape” Contest last week! 🎬

The script was written by Fayza Sekatawa, a senior in the Bard Early College program at Dutchess BOCES, who was excited to see her vision transform into a full-blown professional production.

BOCES students across programs also assisted the Forge team on set, from equipment set-up to hair and makeup. “It was awesome to see it first-hand; it really gave me a look into what I want to do in the future,” said one of the students about the experience.

Thank you to everyone who collaborated to help make this powerful commercial come to life.

10/21/2026

Is your creative kid looking for an outlet to express themselves? Our next session of Adventures in Art kicks off November 15. 🚀

Over the course of 8 weeks your young artist, aged 5-8, will explore drawing, painting, papier-mache, clay, printmaking, and more, all inspired by the patterns and textures of outer space.

Did your child already participate in the first session of Adventures in Art? No worries- our next session is brimming with all new projects to keep expanding their universe with.

Spots are filling up fast so register today! Learn more via details in comments.

10/20/2026

How can one evening impact the course of an artist’s career? ✨

This past Friday, October 16, The Art Effect welcomed over 240 attendees and 38 top art colleges and universities from across the nation, including SVA, SCAD, RISD, MICA, FIT, & more, to the 26th annual Hudson Valley Regional Portfolio Day. This free event connects Hudson Valley teens with college reps for portfolio reviews, admissions info, and scholarships.

Here’s what one parent had to say about the event:

“My son, Zach, had an amazing experience at The Art Effect’s Portfolio Day. The representatives were highly engaged, took their time with students, and were available from every school he was interested in pursuing. As a result of so many positive interactions, Zach has expanded his college search and plans to apply to at least three additional schools.”

These connections leave a lasting impact on youth and their families by providing them with access to discover new educational possibilities and make more informed decisions about their futures after graduation.

Interested in a full recap of the night? Read our latest blog post via the details in our comments or visit thearteffect.org for more information.

10/19/2026

Want to be part of planning the 2027 PKX Festival? 🎨

When you join the Poughkeepsie Board of Artistic Youth (PK B.A.Y.) this fall, you’ll develop festival planning and creative leadership skills. Teens and young adults will collaborate with professional artists to design and create community development activities, public art projects, a teen art exhibition and teen film festival that positively impact the Poughkeepsie community. Come grow as a leader with us!

Session Info:
November 16 – February 11
Tuesdays – Thursdays, 3:00 – 6:00PM
*No program during Thanksgiving Week (11/23 – 11/27) and Winter Break (12/21 – 1/14)*

Learn more and complete the interest form today via details in bio.

10/16/2026

Hudson Valley Regional Portfolio Day is officially here! 🥳

Come meet with reps from over 40 top art schools across the country for TONIGHT ONLY! This event is completely FREE and open to the public.

MJN Convention Center
14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
FRIDAY, October 16, from 4–7:30pm

Portfolio Day Arrival/Parking Details:
-General Admission begins at 4:00pm. Art Institute members get early access at 3:30pm. It's not too late – become a member now by visiting thearteffect.org/membership
-Students being dropped off at the entrance of MJN should be ready with their portfolio materials to avoid traffic jams in the drop off area
-Students are encouraged to only bring materials they feel comfortable carrying during the event
-PARKING INFO: Parking is available in the municipal garage directly across the street.
-Leaving before 5:30pm? Parking costs $1.50/hour.
-Leaving after 5:30pm? Parking is FREE!

Remember to bring:
-10–15 of your best and most recent artworks
-Sketchbooks or works in progress to highlight your process
-Additional pieces that showcase your unique style

Visit our website via details in comments for more information. Have a question? Call us at 845.471.7477. or email [email protected]. ✨

10/15/2026

Immerse yourself in an extraordinary evening that indulges the senses and fuels the future of creativity at Art After Dark 2026!

From an exceptional dining experience to interactive artistic installations, every moment is designed to delight—including the opportunity to become part of a living still life and uncover surprise keepsakes created by The Art Effect's talented students.

ART AFTER DARK
Friday, November 13, 2026
The Culinary Institute of America
Marriott Pavilion, 1946 Campus Dr
Hyde Park, NY

Tickets are selling quickly and guests are encouraged to RSVP by Thursday, November 5. Learn more and save your seat for the most magical evening of the year via details in comments.

10/14/2026

Is your portfolio ready for THIS FRIDAY? 🎨

Hudson Valley Regional Portfolio Day is less than 48 hours away, and reps from over 40 top art schools from across the region are on their way to review your best work! Join us at the MJN Convention Center in Poughkeepsie from 4 – 7:30PM, this Friday, October 16, for ONE NIGHT ONLY. And don’t forget: this event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, so tell your friends!

Remember that a strong portfolio includes:
-Observational Work (From Life, Not a Photo)
-Still Lifes
-Figure Paintings or Drawings
-Plein Air
-Portraits (Self & Others)
-Cropped Compositions (Close-Ups)
-Face/Foot/Hand Details
-Still Life/Live Model/Live Subject Details
-Sketchbook(s)
-Works in Progress (Completed by Applications)

Most reps are looking for portfolios of 10-20 pieces. Be sure to show off all of your art knowledge by using a variety of styles, materials, compositions, and content!🎨

View the full list of schools attending and learn more via the details in comments. Have a question? Call us at 845.471.7477. or email [email protected].

10/13/2026

Portfolio Day is THIS WEEK… and we have an exciting announcement to make. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is officially coming to review YOUR portfolios! 🎨

Join us THIS FRIDAY, October 16 from 4–7:30 PM at the MJN Convention Center to meet with representatives from 40+ art colleges across the country, and receive feedback on your work as well as advice for college applications!

Portfolio Day only comes once a year so you don’t want to miss it! This event is completely FREE & OPEN to the public! View the full list of schools and learn more via the details in our comments.

10/09/2026

NEXT FRIDAY is Hudson Valley Regional Portfolio Day! 🎨

Happening at the MJN Convention Center in Poughkeepsie from 4:00 - 7:30pm on Friday, October 16, Portfolio Day is an opportunity for students to show their best work to reps from top art schools! Eager to know which schools will be available to review your portfolio? View the full list of attending schools for 2026 below and learn more via details in bio.

Adelphi University
Alfred University School of Art & Design
Art Academy of Cincinnati
College for Creative Studies
College of Visual & Performing Arts, UMass Dartmouth
Columbia College Chicago
Fashion Institute of Technology
Hartford Art School, University of Hartford
Institute of Art & Design at New England College
Keystone College
Maine College of Art & Design
Marist University
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Massachusetts College of Art & Design
Mercy University
Montserrat College of Art
Mount Saint Mary College
New York Institute of Technology
New York School of Interior Design
Parsons School of Design
Penn State University
Pratt Institute – Associate Degree Department
Pratt Munson College of Art and Design
Purchase College, SUNY
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Russel Sage College
Savannah College of Art & Design
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Tufts University
School of Visual Arts
St. John’s University
SUNY Dutchess
SUNY Fredonia
SUNY New Paltz
SUNY Ulster
Syracuse University
The Center for Cartoon Studies
The Cooper Union
Tyler School of Art & Architecture – Temple University
University of Delaware
William Paterson University

Address

45 Pershing Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY
12601

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

(845)4717477

Website

http://www.thearteffect.org/, http://www.trolleybarn.org/, http://www.forgemedia.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Art Effect posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Art Effect:

Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization in Poughkeepsie?