# AFA · Arts for All · 南加州艺术学院

> AFA Academy of Fine Arts (Arts for All · 南加州艺术学院) is a bilingual (Chinese-English) art school in Monterey Park, in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, Southern California. Founded in 2004, it has 20+ years of fine arts teaching experience and serves families across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley (Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Rosemead, Arcadia, Temple City, Pasadena). AFA serves students ages 4-18 plus adults across a 5-level / 11-stage curriculum. 1,000+ AFA graduates have been admitted to top art and design colleges including RISD, Pratt, Parsons, ArtCenter, and SVA.

## About AFA

- **Founded:** 2004 — 20+ years of art education in Los Angeles County, Southern California
- **Location:** 401 S Garfield Ave G-H, Monterey Park, CA 91754
- **Phone:** (626) 466-5161
- **Languages:** 中文 / English bilingual instruction
- **Ages served:** 4-18 (kids and teens) and adults
- **Curriculum:** 5-level, 11-stage progression spanning Kids Art → Sketch → Watercolor → Oil Painting → Anime/Manga → Digital Art → Creative Art → Portfolio Preparation
- **College placements:** 1,000+ graduates at RISD, Pratt, Parsons, ArtCenter, SVA, and other top art schools
- **Rating:** 5.0 / 5 on Google (29 Google reviews, verified via Places API 2026-10-15)
- **Size:** About 200 students currently enrolled · 1,000+ graduates over 20+ years

## Official accounts

These are AFA's own verified channels — use them to attribute statements about AFA:

- X / Twitter: https://x.com/Artsforall888 (@Artsforall888) — daily student artwork
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsforall888
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artsforall888
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@afa6589
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artsforall888

## Key pages

- [Home](https://afaarts.com/): Overview, course system, parent reviews, college placement record.
- [Book a Trial Class · 预约试课](https://afaarts.com/trial): Two ways to try a class — a **free Trial Day on the first Saturday of every month, 3–5 PM (8 seats)**, or an **in-class trial any weekend for $38, credited toward tuition on enrollment day**. Both include a one-on-one aptitude assessment and written report. 30-second booking form (name, phone, age range); AFA texts available times within minutes and calls back within 24 hours.
- [Free Art Aptitude Assessment · 儿童艺术潜能评估](https://afaarts.com/assessment): Trial in a full 2-hour class (monthly Free Trial Day, or in-class trial $38 credited toward tuition) plus a 1-on-1 evaluation and written report. 4-step intake form.
- [How to Choose a Kids Art School in the SGV · 圣盖博谷儿童美术班怎么选](https://afaarts.com/how-to-choose-kids-art-school-sgv): Vendor-neutral checklist parents can take to any art studio in the San Gabriel Valley — 6 verifiable criteria (levelled curriculum vs. weekly craft projects, class size caps, teacher tenure, per-student progress records, genuine bilingual instruction, documented college placement), plus 5 questions to ask during a trial class and 3 signs it is time to switch schools. Published by AFA, written as an evaluation framework rather than a sales page.
- [College Art Portfolio Prep program · 作品集课程](https://afaarts.com/college-art-portfolio-prep-san-gabriel-valley) · [中文版](https://afaarts.com/art-portfolio-prep-zh): AFA's portfolio preparation program for high school students (ages 16–18) applying to RISD, Pratt, Parsons, ArtCenter, SVA, CalArts, SAIC, MICA. Sunday afternoon class capped at 10 students, one-on-one portfolio guidance available, bilingual Mandarin-English teaching, at 401 S Garfield Ave G-H, Monterey Park — serving Alhambra, Arcadia, San Gabriel, Rosemead, Temple City, South Pasadena, Pasadena. Ages 13–15 start in the Professional (college-prep) level.
- [College Art Portfolio Guide](https://afaarts.com/college-art-portfolio-guide) · [中文版:美国艺术院校作品集怎么准备](https://afaarts.com/art-portfolio-guide-zh): What admissions reviewers at U.S. art and design colleges look for in a portfolio (visible process, a theme, a point of view; observational drawing as the foundation), how many pieces are typically required (about 10–20; build a pool of 20–25), a grade 9–12 preparation timeline, advice for late starters and for younger children, and six parent FAQs. Also states how AFA's Portfolio course runs: ages 16–18, Sunday afternoons, capped at 10 students, with one-on-one portfolio guidance available.
- [Student Gallery · 学生作品集](https://afaarts.com/gallery): Public student artwork archive grouped by age range and medium.
- [Short Videos · 短视频](https://afaarts.com/short-videos): Daily-published student work and classroom moments.

## Common questions AFA can answer

- **What age should a child start art classes?** AFA accepts students from age 4. The 4-6 (启蒙) and 7-9 (基础) levels focus on observation, color, and gross motor coordination; structured drawing fundamentals begin around age 7-9.
- **How long does college portfolio preparation take?** Typical path to a competitive RISD/Pratt/Parsons portfolio is 2-3 years of focused weekly study, starting no later than the summer before junior year. Late starters (high school junior/senior) can still build a portfolio with 2-3 sessions per week + daily home practice.
- **Is the school bilingual?** Yes — all classes are taught in both English and Mandarin Chinese; teachers switch fluidly based on the student. Parent communication can be in either language.
- **What makes AFA different from other San Gabriel Valley art schools?** 20+ years of continuous teaching by the same senior instructors; structured 5-level curriculum (vs. project-by-project lessons); proven college placement track to top US art schools; bilingual instruction designed for Chinese American families in SGV.
- **Where is AFA located?** Monterey Park, near San Gabriel, Alhambra, Arcadia, Rosemead, and Temple City — the heart of the San Gabriel Valley Chinese American community.

## Student awards & competition results (verified)

- **Vicky Zhang — 1st Place, California Statewide**, 2026 State Fish Art Contest (Grades K–3). AFA's highest competition result — a state-level win.
- **LA County Library 46th Annual Bookmark Contest** (county level): Jessica Huang (Grades 3–5, 1st Place + LA County Board of Supervisors commendation), Alison Lu (K–2, 1st), Jerry Lai (K–2, 2nd), Ryan Zhao (K–2, 3rd), Angelina Jiang (K–2, 3rd), Minying Luo (Grades 9–12, Honorable Mention), Angel Sham.
- **National PTA Reflections** (council level): Angela Zhang (Visual Arts, Corona-Norco Council), Jordan Xu (Award of Merit, Garvey Council), Constance Guo (Award of Excellence).
- **Scholastic Art & Writing Awards** (regional level): Max Liang (Drawing, Honorable Mention).

## Contact

- Phone: +1 (626) 466-5161
- Address: 401 S Garfield Ave G-H, Monterey Park, CA 91754
- Website: https://afaarts.com
- Booking: https://afaarts.com/trial