Our camps are designed to allow students to focus on their interests, learn new skills, and bring their ideas to life. Our arts instruction, led by top-notch faculty, is driven by SAIC’s celebrated approach to art and design education. Enroll for one of our one- or two-week sessions, or sign up for multiple courses.
• Students are able to dive deep in their areas of interest. Each course provides an immersive experience that teaches young makers both conceptual and technical skills, while allowing them the freedom to explore and innovate.
• Our museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, is an integral part of our students’ experience. Visits to the global collection are key components of every camp. Be prepared to have your child teach you about their favorite pieces in our collection!
• Our camps include a wide variety of learning approaches. Students will get first-rate instruction from their instructors, collaborate and create with peers, play group games, explore a variety of creative resources, and have independent time to work on their own projects.
• Our faculty are not only amazing mentors and teachers, but have robust artistic practices themselves. Because of this, instructors are able to share their passion for making while providing inspiration and motivation for their students.
• SAIC recognizes that creativity and innovation flourish when children bring their ideas together. Taking part in our programs is a great way for students to learn the power of collaborative thinking and art-making, and make new friends who share similar interests!
Ages 10-13
Ages 6-9
saic.edu/cw
At the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), the nation’s premier art and design school, we understand that self-expression, out-of-the-box thinking, and cultural awareness flourish when kids make art. At SAIC, children learn to explore, imagine, and discover while we guide them on a path to becoming the creators, innovators, and problemsolvers of the future.
• For each course, we select a theme and structure projects and exploration around that idea. Our youngest creators will be learning and researching concepts, bringing their points of view to life through the projects they make. And, be ready, they make a lot of work!!!
• Our museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, is an integral part of students’ experiences, and visits to the museum are a part of each class. Be prepared to have your child teach you about their favorite pieces in our collection!
• In our classrooms, young artists work both independently and as a collaborative, creative community. Through interactive group projects, games, and art-based activities, students learn the power of collaboration while making new friends who also love to create.
• Our instructors are experienced educators with their own robust artistic practices. With their dynamic skill sets, interests, and passions, instructors are able to create unique and highly engaging classroom experiences for their students.
SESSION 1: ONE WEEK – 6/26-6/30, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Course Course #
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 6-7 #1115
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 8-9 #1119
SESSION 2 ONE WEEK – 7/10-7/14, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 6-7 #1116
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 8-9 #1120
SESSION 3: TWO WEEK – 7/17-7/28, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 6-7 #1117
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 8-9 #1121
SESSION 4: TWO WEEK – 7/31-8/11, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 6-7 #1118
Multi-Arts Camp: Ages 8-9 #1122
SESSION 5: ONE WEEK – 7/31-8/4, M-F
Family Camp: Ages 4+ 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. #1147
Family Camp: Ages 4+ 1:00-4:00 p.m. #1148
6-7 | M-F, 9-4
SESSION 1 #1115 | SESSION 2 #1116 SESSION 3 #1117 | SESSION 4 #1118
Morning Drop-off: 8:40 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
Afternoon Pick-Up: 4:00 p.m.
*Please note, due to the volume of summer courses we do not have the flexibility to accommodate last-minute alternative pick-up and drop-off times.
1-Week Camp: $600
2-Week Camp: $1,100
This camp provides a stimulating environment for young artists to grow as creative, unique individuals and to learn how to creatively problem-solve. In addition to daily studio art projects, students visit the Art Institute of Chicago to explore, research, and capture new ideas. Campers work together on a variety of fun projects and participate in the joys of making art with friends, experimenting with painting, drawing, mixed-media, sculpture, printmaking, and much more! Each session has a new focus so students can enroll in multiple camps.
SESSION 1 #1119 SESSION 2 #1120 SESSION 3 #1121 SESSION 4 #1122
These camps provide a stimulating environment for students to explore their artistic potential and voice and increase skill development, using the Art Institute of Chicago, surrounding architecture and public art, and current events as inspiration. Students work independently and collaboratively, gaining skills in media such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment. Each session has a new focus so students can enroll in multiple camps.
Refund and Cancellation Policy: 100 percent tuition refund will be issued if courses are dropped at least one week prior to the session start date. No refunds will be issued after this date. All requests must be submitted in writing to cs@saic.edu and include the student’s name, ID number, and course information. Refunds take four to six weeks to process. Note: Nonattendance does not constitute an official withdrawal, nor a cancellation of tuition and fees.
SAIC reserves the right to cancel or alter fees, schedule, or staffing. Students will be notified prior to the first class and will have the option of taking another class or receiving a full refund.
Please note that SAIC does not provide medical or mental health services, and is not equipped with a nurse or guidance counselor for Multi-Arts Camp students. SAIC security and emergency services provide support and are consulted on an as needed basis.
COVID-19 Policy: SAIC will continue to follow COVID protocols informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Please visit saic.edu/csvaccine and saic.edu/maketogether for more information.
Ages 4+
SESSION 5 (7/31-8/4), #1147, M-F, 9-12
SESSION 5 (7/31-8/4), #1148, M-F, 1-4
These 1-week, half day camps draw extensively on the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and its worldclass collection with daily museum visits. Families of all types work together and/or independently on visual art projects in the SAIC studios. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult and all campers participate in both museum and studio activities.
Ages 10-13 saic.edu/msp
Session Dates:
One-week sessions: June 26-June 30 July 10-July 14
Two-week sessions: July 17-July 28 July 31-August 11
Register online: continuingstudies.saic.edu
One-Week Camp Tuition: $600
Two-Week Camp Tuition: $1,100
SESSION 1: ONE WEEK – 6/26-6/30, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Course Course #
Video Game Design Camp: 10-13 #1157
Comics and Graphic Novels Camp: 10-13 #1158
World Building Camp: 10-13 #1167
Drawing and Painting Camp: 10-13 #1149
Drawing and Painting Camp: 10-13 #1150
SESSION 2: ONE WEEK – 7/10-7/14, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Comics and Graphic Novels Camp: 10-13 #1159
Intro to Fashion Camp: 10-13 #1163
Animation Camp: 10-13 #1164
Illustration Camp: 10-13 #1166
Drawing and Painting Camp: 10-13 #1151
SESSION 3: TWO WEEK – 7/17-7/28, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Architecture Camp: 10-13 #1156
Fashion Camp: 10-13 #1161
Video Production Camp: 10-13 #1168
Drawing and Painting Camp: 10-13 #1152
Drawing and Painting Camp: 10-13 #1153
Fiber Arts Camp: Sustainable Practices: 10-13 #1169
SESSION 4: TWO WEEK – 7/31-8/11, M-F 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Comics and Graphic Novels Camp: 10-13 #1160
Fashion Camp: 10-13 #1162
Animation Camp: 10-13 #1165
Drawing and Painting Camp: 10-13 #1154
Drawing and Painting Camp: 10-13 #1155
Note: Schedule subject to change.
Morning Drop-off: 8:40 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
Afternoon Pick-Up: 4:00 p.m.
*Please note, due to the volume of summer courses we do not have the flexibility to accommodate last-minute alternative pick-up and drop-off times.
$350 per person
Refund and Cancellation Policy: 100 percent tuition refund will be issued if courses are dropped at least one week prior to the session start date. No refunds will be issued after this date. All requests must be submitted in writing to cs@saic.edu and include the student’s name, ID number, and course information. Refunds take four to six weeks to process. Note: Nonattendance does not constitute an official withdrawal, nor cancellation of tuition and fees.
SAIC reserves the right to cancel or alter fees, schedule, or staffing. Students will be notified prior to the first class and will have the option of taking another class or receiving a full refund.
Please note that SAIC does not provide medical or mental health services, and is not equipped with a nurse or guidance counselor for MSP students. SAIC security and emergency services provide support and are consulted on an as needed basis.
COVID-19 Policy: SAIC will continue to follow COVID protocols informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Please visit saic.edu/csvaccine and saic.edu/maketogether for more information.
ANIMATION CAMP: 10-13
Session 2 #1164, M-F, 9-4
Session 4, #1165 M-F, 9-4
Students learn animation principles while exploring different techniques, including stop-motion animation, frame-by-frame animation, digitally modified video, and computer-aided animation to create their own projects.
ARCHITECTURE CAMP: 10-13
Session 3, #1156, M-F, 9-4
Using our city as inspiration, students learn perspective drawing, drafting, model making, and various digital software programs while examining architectural structures, materials, and technologies.
COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS
CAMP: 10-13
Session 1, #1158, M-F, 9-4
Session 2, #1159, M-F, 9-4
Session 4, #1160, M-F, 9-4
Using a wide variety of materials, students explore character development, plot structure, scripting, and storyboarding to create their own digitally edited drawings and handmade zines.
DRAWING AND PAINTING CAMP: 10-13
Session 1, #1149 & #1150, M-F, 9-4
Session 2, #1151, M-F, 9-4
Session 3, #1152 & #1153, M-F, 9-4
Session 4, #1154 & #1155, M-F, 9-4
Using a wide variety of drawing and painting materials—pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed-media—students build skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour.
FASHION CAMP: 10-13
Session 3, #1161 ,M-F, 9-4
Session 4, #1162, M-F, 9-4
This camp introduces young designers to fashion, as they build fundamental skills in fashion illustration, draping, garment construction, and machine and hand sewing. Lessons and projects change each camp so students may enroll in multiple camps over the summer.
FIBER ARTS CAMP: SUSTAINABLE
PRACTICES: 10-13 NEW!
This exciting new camp is designed in partnership with Knowledge Lab, the SAIC sculpture department’s “living laboratory” with an innovative, green, and sustainable focus.
Session 3, #1169, M-F, 9-4
Explore natural dye, cyanotype printing, weaving, drawing, zine-making, and public art interventions all with focus on sustainability. Students learn to make artwork that engages with natural materials, and speaks to our current ecological turn. Plant tending and harvesting in the Knowledge-Lab Garden, foraging walks around downtown, and trips to nearby art and ecological spaces will provide inspiration!
INTRO TO FASHION CAMP: 10-13
Session 2, #1163, M-F, 9-4
This one-week camp introduces young designers to fashion with an emphasis on experimentation and discovering their own style. Students develop original ideas and build fundamental skills in clothing transformation.
ILLUSTRATION CAMP: 10-13
Session 2, #1166, M-F, 9-4
Characters, animals, objects, vehicles, and environments are created using traditional and digital media and methods such as graphic markers, illustration pens, watercolor, ink, sculpting materials, and digital editing software like Adobe Photoshop.
VIDEO GAME DESIGN CAMP: 10-13 Session 1, #1157, M-F, 9-4
In this dynamic and challenging camp, students code and illustrate one-of-a-kind computer video games! Students make use of traditional and digital media such as sketchbooking, storyboarding, sound effect editing, digital drawing, and use industry platforms for game creation.
WORLD BUILDING CAMP: 10-13 Session 1, #1167, M-F, 9-4 Work alongside fellow campers to imagine, design, and then create the various elements of a brand new fantastical world full of your own characters, plants, structures, histories, and more. This mixed media course will feature projects in illustration and comics, sculpture, 3-D modeling, and creative writing.
VIDEO PRODUCTION CAMP: 10-13 Session 3, #1168, M-F, 9-4
This camp is designed for students who wish to level up their video production by creating unique short videos using a range of contemporary approaches. Students learn video production principles: exploring storyboarding, filming processes, basic special effects techniques, and editing.
