2012 Program Details

The Summer Arts Camp is an introductory arts program. Previous art experience is not required. The projects are created to be easy enough for beginners but challenging enough for more experienced artists. All activities culminate in an end-of-session gallery show, film screening and stage performance for friends and family.

Students must be entering grades 3 - 9 in Fall 2012 in order to participate.

Students are divided into six groups based on birth dates.  Each group will have approximately 20 children and two group counselors.  The three younger groups will make up our Junior Camp and the three older groups, our Senior Camp.  Both Junior Camp and Senior Camp run at the same time and location and have classes in visual arts, media arts (film) and performing arts.

Dates and Times
The Summer Arts Camp takes place Monday through Friday from June 18 - July 27th (closed on Monday, July 4th). Our days begin at 9 am with drop off as early as 8:30 am. The day ends at 3:35 pm (3:25 pm for Senior Camp) with optional After Camp care available until 5:30 pm. The program takes place at Columbia's Theater building at 72 East 11th Street in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood. Lunch takes place outside in Grant Park. Campers are required to bring a lunch. We provide juice and refrigerated storage. Campers are not allowed to leave the campus to purchase food.

Activities
With Columbia College Chicago as our campground, campers use its theaters, screening rooms, galleries, classrooms and equipment while learning from Columbia's top students. Campers are assigned to small groups of children their own age and rotate through three daily classes Monday through Thursday:

Visual Arts Class introduces campers to a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture. At the end of the session, campers host a gallery exhibit for friends and family.

Performing Arts Class combines singing, dancing, acting and improv to introduce campers to the world of performance. Learning through exercises and games, campers work with teachers to develop a play to perform on stage at the end of the session.

Media Arts Class explores the creation and criticism of media art forms. Using digital video, campers learn about the technical and creative aspects of movie making. Campers work as a group to develop a concept for a short film and experience all stages of development and production, in front of and behind the camera.

Fridays are a mixture of field trips, guest artist workshops, film screenings and other fun activities.

Costs

2012 six-week session:  $1795

After Camp Care:  $450 for the session OR $16 on a per day basis

Family Discount:  Families with more than one child attending will receive a $250 discount for each additional child