A passion project in art is a self-driven initiative that allows you to explore your interests on your own terms. If you’re a creative soul with a flair for the arts, middle school is a great time to experiment with different styles, techniques, and formats. Starting early helps you build your own unique style, build confidence in your skills, and establish a strong foundation in various techniques that can come in handy for future projects.

What are passion projects for middle school students?

Passion projects are creative, longer term, self-driven initiatives beyond your regular schoolwork that let you dive into subjects you care about while developing crucial skills and subject matter expertise beyond what you’d learn in the classroom. Even as a middle school student, you can take on meaningful projects such as:

• Creating an art installation

• Drawing comics

• Design your own fashion line

• Make sculptures

Your project doesn’t have to be large-scale or materials intensive—what matters is that it reflects your passion and allows you to experiment with and master techniques.

Why start a passion project in middle school?

Engaging in passion projects in the arts during middle school offers several benefits:​

• Early exploration: You can identify and nurture your strengths before high school, allowing for more informed decisions about future academic and extracurricular pursuits.​

• Skill development: Working on art projects enhances your creativity and interpretive skills, which are valuable across various disciplines.​

• Personal growth: Passion projects promote self-discipline, time management, and a sense of accomplishment, contributing to overall personal development.

To help you with the ideation phase, we’ve compiled a list of 30 art passion project ideas for middle school students:

1. Create a personal art journal

Develop a journal that combines sketches, paintings, and mixed media to document daily thoughts, inspirations, and artistic experiments. This ongoing project encourages daily practice and self-reflection, allowing you to track your artistic growth over time.​

• Materials/Investment: Sketchbook or journal, pencils, pens, paints, collage materials.​

• Suitable for: Beginners.​

2. Design a mural for a community space

Collaborate with local organizations to plan and paint a mural that reflects the community's culture, history, or aspirations. This project fosters community engagement and allows you to contribute positively to your surroundings.​

• Materials/Investment: Exterior paints, brushes, scaffolding (if necessary), permission from property owners.​

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in painting and collaborative projects.​

  
  

3. Develop a comic book series

Create original characters and storylines, illustrating them in a comic book format. This project enhances storytelling abilities and artistic skills, and if you’re confident enough with the result, you can even self-publish your own comic book!​

• Materials/Investment: Drawing tools, inking pens, coloring materials, binding supplies or digital publishing tools.​

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in drawing and storytelling.​

  
  

4. Explore photography with a themed photo series

Choose a theme such as nature, urban life, or portraits, and capture a series of photographs exploring this concept. This project develops technical photography skills and encourages thematic exploration.​

• Materials/Investment: Camera or smartphone with a good camera, photo editing software (optional).​

• Suitable for: Beginners.​

  
  

5. Create a stop-motion animation

Use clay figures, paper cutouts, or everyday objects to produce a short stop-motion film. This project is a good introduction to animation techniques and storytelling through visual media.​

• Materials/Investment: Camera or smartphone, tripod, animation software (many free options available).​

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in storytelling and basic photography.​

6. Design and sew a fashion collection

Sketch, design, and sew a mini collection of clothing or accessories. This project combines fashion design with practical sewing skills, resulting in wearable art pieces.​

• Materials/Investment: Fabric, sewing machine or needle and thread, design materials.​

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in sewing and design.​

  
  

7. Build a recycled art sculpture

Collect recyclable materials to construct a meaningful sculpture. This project promotes environmental awareness and creativity in repurposing materials.​

• Materials/Investment: Recyclable items (plastic bottles, cardboard, etc.), adhesives, basic tools.​

• Suitable for: Beginners.​

  
  

8. Illustrate a children's book

Write and illustrate a short story aimed at young readers. This project enhances creative writing and illustration skills, and a good enough output could even result in a completed children's book that you can replicate and sell!​

• Materials/Investment: Drawing and writing tools, coloring materials, binding supplies or digital publishing tools.​

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in drawing and storytelling.​

  
  

9. Create a digital art portfolio

Develop a collection of digital artworks using graphic design software. This project builds digital art skills and results in a professional portfolio showcasing the student's work.​

• Materials/Investment: Computer or tablet, graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, free alternatives available).​

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in digital art tools.​

  
  

10. Organize an art exhibition

Curate an exhibition showcasing your artwork or the work of peers. This project develops organizational and curatorial skills and provides a platform to display artistic creations to a broader audience.

• Materials/Investment: Venue (could be a school hall), display materials, promotional materials.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in organization and curation.

  
  

11. Create a series of themed paintings

Focus on a particular subject or style to produce a cohesive series of paintings. This project allows for in-depth exploration of a theme and refinement of painting techniques.

• Materials/Investment: Art supplies, canvas.

• Suitable for: Students with strong painting skills and knowledge of fundamental painting techniques.

  
  

12. Design a set of custom stickers

Create a collection of hand-drawn or digital stickers with unique designs, such as animals, motivational quotes, or pop culture references. You can print them at home or use an online service to sell them. This project encourages creativity in design and can serve as a good introduction to art entrepreneurship.

• Materials/Investment: Drawing tools, digital art software (optional), sticker paper, printer, or online printing service.

• Suitable for: Beginners and students with proficiency in digital design.

  
  

13. Make a handmade art book

Compile a collection of original illustrations, paintings, or collages into a bound book. You can add personal narratives or poetry to complement the artwork. This project enhances bookbinding skills while allowing for deep artistic exploration.

• Materials/Investment: Paper, glue, thread, binding materials, art supplies.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in bookbinding or mixed media art.

  
  

14. Paint custom sneakers or clothing

Transform plain sneakers, denim jackets, or t-shirts into wearable art by painting them with acrylic or fabric paints. This project merges fashion and fine arts, resulting in one-of-a-kind statement pieces.

• Materials/Investment: Fabric or acrylic paint, brushes, sealant, clothing items.

• Suitable for: Beginners and students with proficiency in painting.

  
  

15. Create a fantasy world map

Draw or digitally design a detailed map of an imaginary world, complete with landscapes, cities, and legends. This project enhances creativity and storytelling while improving artistic detail work. You could even potentially reach out to your favorite fantasy authors with samples of your work, leading to the possibilities of future employment!

• Materials/Investment: Drawing supplies, digital art software (optional).

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in drawing and world-building.

  
  

16. Design a board game with custom art

Develop an original board game, including the board, cards, and game pieces, featuring hand-drawn or digital illustrations. This project combines storytelling, strategic thinking, and art. While it’s more material and labor intensive than other ideas on this list, creating your own physical product is a great learning experience and excellent addition to your portfolio.

• Materials/Investment: Cardstock, markers, drawing tools, digital design software (optional).

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in game design and visual storytelling.

  
  

17. Produce a collage series

Create a series of mixed-media collages using magazine cutouts, textured paper, and paint to explore a theme or social message. This project develops layering techniques and conceptual thinking.

• Materials/Investment: Magazines, scissors, glue, canvas or thick paper.

• Suitable for: Beginners.

  
  

18. Illustrate a set of playing cards

Design and illustrate a full deck of playing cards with a unique artistic theme, such as mythology, space, or animals. This project challenges consistency in character and pattern design.

• Materials/Investment: Drawing tools, digital design software (optional), card stock.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in design and illustration.

  
  

19. Craft a shadow box diorama

Construct a three-dimensional scene inside a box using paper cutouts, clay, or found objects. This project teaches spatial composition and storytelling through visual layers.

• Materials/Investment: Box, paper, glue, scissors, small objects.

• Suitable for: Beginners.

  
  

20. Make a time-lapse drawing or painting

Record the progression of an artwork from start to finish using time-lapse photography or video. This project is also a great way to analyze your artistic process and even share your work online.

• Materials/Investment: Camera or smartphone, tripod, art supplies.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in digital media and art.

  
  

21. Create an illustrated cookbook

Design a collection of hand-illustrated recipes featuring favorite dishes or family traditions. This project merges food, culture, and art in a personalized way.

• Materials/Investment: Drawing supplies, digital publishing tools (optional).

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in illustration and layout design.

  
  

22. Hand-carve and print linoleum block art

Use linoleum or rubber blocks to carve custom stamps and create multiple prints of your designs. This project introduces you to printmaking techniques and pattern repetition.

• Materials/Investment: Linoleum blocks, carving tools, ink, paper.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in carving and printmaking.

  
  

23. Build a miniature model of a famous landmark

Construct a small-scale version of a historical building, monument, or fantasy structure using paper, clay, or wood. This project enhances attention to detail and three-dimensional design skills.

• Materials/Investment: Cardboard, clay, paint, glue.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in sculpture or model-making.

  
  

24. Create a glow-in-the-dark galaxy painting

Use glow-in-the-dark or UV-reactive paint to create a cosmic-themed artwork. This project is a good way to learn luminescent effects and color blending.

• Materials/Investment: Glow-in-the-dark paint, canvas, brushes.

• Suitable for: Beginners.

  
  

25. Design and sell art prints online

Digitize original artwork and sell prints through online platforms like Etsy or Redbubble. It’s a great way to earn some pocket money while improving and practicing your art.

• Materials/Investment: Scanner or digital drawing tablet, online store setup.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in digital art and marketing.

  
  

26. Curate an art-themed blog or social media page

Document artistic progress, share tutorials, or review famous artworks through an online platform. This project develops writing skills alongside artistic expression.

• Materials/Investment: Website or social media account, camera for documenting work.

• Suitable for: Beginners.

  
  

27. Hand-paint ceramic plates or mugs

Use ceramic paints to decorate cups, plates, or tiles with original designs. It’s a good way to combine both functional and decorative art, and can end up being a solid business opportunity too.

• Materials/Investment: Ceramic items, ceramic paints, brushes, sealant.

• Suitable for: Beginners.

  
  

28. Sculpt a fantasy creature from clay

Design and sculpt an original mythical creature using polymer or air-dry clay. If you want to learn three-dimensional thinking and improve your character design skills, this is the project for you.

• Materials/Investment: Clay, sculpting tools, paints.

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in sculpture.

  
  

29. Design a custom puzzle

Create a hand-drawn or digital puzzle with an original design or message. This project merges problem-solving with artistic creativity.

• Materials/Investment: Drawing tools, puzzle-making software or print-on-demand services.

• Suitable for: Beginners.

  
  

30. Make an interactive art installation

If you really want to test your skills, you can try to create an artwork that viewers can physically engage with, such as a touch-sensitive light painting or a sensory sculpture. This project encourages experimentation with materials and audience interaction.

• Materials/Investment: Various depending on the installation (paper, electronics, found objects).

• Suitable for: Students with proficiency in mixed media and interactive design.

One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! 

To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.

Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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