Youth & Continuing Studies Courses

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 collections of the Art Institute of Chicago to experience art firsthand. Individual sketchbooks complement these visits to capture creative research, ideas, and reactions. 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 that enroll in multiple sessions encounter all-new studio projects.

Learn to draw, sculpt, model, mold, sew, and prototype your own unique toys, stuffed animals, and action figures. Campers first develop their characters by creating a series of traditional illustrations and models before moving into 3D media. Drawing inspiration from both classic and contemporary toys - and the cartoons or stories that accompany them- students develop their toy design using a variety of exciting techniques and creative approaches.

Work alongside fellow campers to imagine, design, and then create the various elements of a brand new fantastical world full of your own characters, wildlife, structures, histories, and more. This mixed-media course will feature projects in illustration and comics, sculpture, 3-D modeling, and creative writing. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago will feature an exploration of artists who have also created their own worlds in celebrated fine art across history.

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 collections of the Art Institute of Chicago to experience art firsthand. Individual sketchbooks complement these visits to capture creative research, ideas, and reactions. 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 that enroll in multiple sessions encounter all-new studio projects.

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 collections of the Art Institute of Chicago to experience art firsthand. Individual sketchbooks complement these visits to capture creative research, ideas, and reactions. 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 that enroll in multiple sessions encounter all-new studio projects.

This camp provides a stimulating environment for students to explore their artistic potential and increase skill development by working with a variety of materials, using the Art Institute of Chicago, surrounding architecture and public art, and current events as inspiration. Students gain skills in a wide variety of media, which may include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and mixed media in addition to critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment. Projects are designed to enhance both personal expression and collaborative abilities while introducing students to contemporary and historical art. Each session has a new focus so students that enroll in multiple sessions encounter all-new studio projects.

The buildings in which you live, attend school, even the mall where you shop, have an incredible impact on your life. In this camp, students explore their surroundings and investigate how basic human needs, desires, and behaviors influence the design of architectural spaces. Emphasis is placed on the methods architects use to develop their design ideas while examining structures, materials, and technologies exemplified in historical and contemporary architecture. Using the city of Chicago and its world-renowned architecture as subject, perspective drawing, drafting, model making, and digital software programs are introduced. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and walking trips/on-site sketching at historic buildings by architects Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe as well as contemporary structures including Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavillion and Renzo Piano's Modern Wing of the Art Institute supplement the studio experience.

In this camp, young artists bring their imagination to life through an exciting range of illustration techniques. 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, digital drawing tablets, and programs such as Procreate.

The buildings in which you live, attend school, even the mall where you shop, have an incredible impact on your life. In this camp, students explore their surroundings and investigate how basic human needs, desires, and behaviors influence the design of architectural spaces. Emphasis is placed on the methods architects use to develop their design ideas while examining structures, materials, and technologies exemplified in historical and contemporary architecture. Using the city of Chicago and its world-renowned architecture as subject, perspective drawing, drafting, model making, and digital software programs are introduced. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and walking trips/on-site sketching at historic buildings by architects Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe as well as contemporary structures including Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavillion and Renzo Piano's Modern Wing of the Art Institute supplement the studio experience.

This camp provides a stimulating environment for students to explore their artistic potential and increase skill development by working with a variety of materials, using the Art Institute of Chicago, surrounding architecture and public art, and current events as inspiration. Students gain skills in a wide variety of media, which may include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and mixed media in addition to critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment. Projects are designed to enhance both personal expression and collaborative abilities while introducing students to contemporary and historical art. Each session has a new focus so students that enroll in multiple sessions encounter all-new studio projects.

This camp provides a stimulating environment for students to explore their artistic potential and increase skill development by working with a variety of materials, using the Art Institute of Chicago, surrounding architecture and public art, and current events as inspiration. Students gain skills in a wide variety of media, which may include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and mixed media in addition to critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment. Projects are designed to enhance both personal expression and collaborative abilities while introducing students to contemporary and historical art. Each session has a new focus so students that enroll in multiple sessions encounter all-new studio projects.

This camp provides a stimulating environment for students to explore their artistic potential and increase skill development by working with a variety of materials, using the Art Institute of Chicago, surrounding architecture and public art, and current events as inspiration. Students gain skills in a wide variety of media, which may include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and mixed media in addition to critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment. Projects are designed to enhance both personal expression and collaborative abilities while introducing students to contemporary and historical art. Each session has a new focus so students that enroll in multiple sessions encounter all-new studio projects.

Bring artwork to life using traditional and digital media to create one-of-a-kind animations. In this exciting camp, students learn animation principles while exploring different techniques, including stop-motion animation, frame-by-frame animation, digitally modified video, and computer-aided animation. Digital tools including laptops, still cameras, video cameras, sound recorders, and iPads may be used in conjunction with sketchbook work and traditional processes to reflect contemporary artistic hybrid methods.

Bring artwork to life using traditional and digital media to create one-of-a-kind animations. In this exciting camp, students learn animation principles while exploring different techniques, including stop-motion animation, frame-by-frame animation, digitally modified video, and computer-aided animation. Digital tools including laptops, still cameras, video cameras, sound recorders, and iPads may be used in conjunction with sketchbook work and traditional processes to reflect contemporary artistic hybrid methods.

This camp introduces young designers to fashion with an emphasis on discovering their own style while learning the technical skills that allow them to take their designs from concept to reality. Activities guide students through the process of developing original ideas, finding inspiration for fashion in the world around them, and responding to the work of other artists and designers. Students build fundamental skills in fashion research and drawing, draping, garment construction, and machine and hand sewing. Students also explore sculptural draping by using paper to create exciting experimental looks and deconstruct garments to create new forms. Projects change each camp so students may enroll in multiple camps over the summer.

This advanced camp is for students who have previous drawing experience and want to explore a wide range of materials and processes to expand their work in new directions. While continuing to build on technical skills, students will focus on drawing as a tool for organizing thoughts, feelings, and sharing their ideas. Students will work with a wide range of materials including pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, and mixed media. Students visit the Art Institute of Chicago to observe and sketch from a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and objects that are used as inspiration for studio work.

This camp introduces young designers to fashion with an emphasis on discovering their own style while learning the technical skills that allow them to take their designs from concept to reality. Activities guide students through the process of developing original ideas, finding inspiration for fashion in the world around them, and responding to the work of other artists and designers. Students build fundamental skills in fashion research and drawing, draping, garment construction, and machine and hand sewing. Students also explore sculptural draping by using paper to create exciting experimental looks and deconstruct garments to create new forms. Projects change each camp so students may enroll in multiple camps over the summer.

This course introduces young designers to fashion with an emphasis on discovering their own style. Students explore ways to enhance and embellish existing garments with surface design techniques like embroidery, beading and applique. The class also explores experimental projects using non-traditional materials to create one-of-a-kind accessories. Activities guide students through the process of developing original ideas, finding inspiration for fashion in the world around them, and responding to the work of other artists and designers.

Video games develop exciting characters, tell original stories, build vivid graphics, and present a great opportunity for interactivity––plus they are super fun! In this dynamic and challenging camp, students experiment with video game production by coding and illustrating playable computer video games; even sharing some of their creations with friends online! Students make use of traditional and digital media such as sketchbooking, storyboarding, sound effect editing, digital drawing, and using platforms for game creation to create one-of-a-kind video games.

Video games develop exciting characters, tell original stories, build vivid graphics, and present a great opportunity for interactivity––plus they are super fun! In this dynamic and challenging camp, students experiment with video game production by coding and illustrating playable computer video games; even sharing some of their creations with friends online! Students make use of traditional and digital media such as sketchbooking, storyboarding, sound effect editing, digital drawing, and using platforms for game creation to create one-of-a-kind video games.

These 1-week camps draw extensively on the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and its world-class collection with regular 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.

These 1-week camps draw extensively on the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and its world-class collection with regular 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.

This camp, for students age 10-11, offers students the opportunity to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students are introduced to both traditional and experimental materials and methods and explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches to build their technical, spatial, and creative abilities, including essential elements of 2D design and art. Working with a wide range of materials, students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed-media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects are used as inspiration for studio work (virtual tours are featured if your course is online). This camp is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing and painting, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

With DIY videos constantly being produced for TikTok and Instagram reels, social media has become a new emergent landscape for young artists to explore and build. 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. Filming will be done with iPads, supplemented by video equipment from the SAIC media centers, so students can practice the skills they learn at home using common digital devices.

These 1-week camps draw extensively on the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and its world-class collection with regular 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.

These 1-week camps draw extensively on the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and its world-class collection with regular 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.

This camp, for students age 10-11, offers students the opportunity to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students are introduced to both traditional and experimental materials and methods and explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches to build their technical, spatial, and creative abilities, including essential elements of 2D design and art. Working with a wide range of materials, students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed-media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects are used as inspiration for studio work (virtual tours are featured if your course is online). This camp is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing and painting, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

This camp, for students age 10-11, offers students the opportunity to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students are introduced to both traditional and experimental materials and methods and explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches to build their technical, spatial, and creative abilities, including essential elements of 2D design and art. Working with a wide range of materials, students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed-media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects are used as inspiration for studio work (virtual tours are featured if your course is online). This camp is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing and painting, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

This camp, for students age 12-13, offers students the opportunity to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students are introduced to both traditional and experimental materials and methods and explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches to build their technical, spatial, and creative abilities, including essential elements of 2D design and art. Working with a wide range of materials, students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed-media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects are used as inspiration for studio work (virtual tours are featured if your course is online). This camp is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing and painting, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

This camp, for students age 12-13, offers students the opportunity to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students are introduced to both traditional and experimental materials and methods and explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches to build their technical, spatial, and creative abilities, including essential elements of 2D design and art. Working with a wide range of materials, students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed-media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects are used as inspiration for studio work (virtual tours are featured if your course is online). This camp is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing and painting, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

This camp, for students age 12-13, offers students the opportunity to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students are introduced to both traditional and experimental materials and methods and explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches to build their technical, spatial, and creative abilities, including essential elements of 2D design and art. Working with a wide range of materials, students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed-media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects are used as inspiration for studio work (virtual tours are featured if your course is online). This camp is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing and painting, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

In this camp, students take their illustrations to the next level by creating their own unique comics and graphic novels. Emphasis is placed on storytelling, introducing students to character development, plot structure, scripting, and storyboarding. Skills in penciling, inking, coloring, space, and perspective are introduced through the use of a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional media, such as colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolors, digitally edited drawings, and handmade zines. Artist presentations, trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, and visits to downtown Chicago's vast array of public art provide inspiration and drawing practice as an entry into the basics of comic narrative and stylization.

In this camp, students take their illustrations to the next level by creating their own unique comics and graphic novels. Emphasis is placed on storytelling, introducing students to character development, plot structure, scripting, and storyboarding. Skills in penciling, inking, coloring, space, and perspective are introduced through the use of a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional media, such as colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolors, digitally edited drawings, and handmade zines. Artist presentations, trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, and visits to downtown Chicago's vast array of public art provide inspiration and drawing practice as an entry into the basics of comic narrative and stylization.

This course introduces students to the process architects use to develop their ideas and concepts, focusing on the how and why of creating new shapes, spaces, and buildings. Projects incorporate experimentation with form, basic drawing, perspective and drafting techniques, 3D modeling, and the ability to discuss projects verbally and in writing. Students are presented with a variety of prompts and design challenges, using materials such as chipboard, basswood, foam core, and other objects to realize their ideas in three dimensions. They complete the course with a final presentation of their exploration, which may include prints and drawings, 3D physical models or digital presentations. In addition, influential artists, designers, and architects such as Frank Gehry and Robert Irwin are introduced to investigate the impacts of digital and atmospheric effects in design. No experience is needed for this course, but computer familiarity is helpful.

This course focuses on drawing as an exciting tool for organizing thoughts, feelings, and images. Students develop and strengthen fundamental skills, as well as investigate a range of traditional and contemporary drawing materials and concepts, exploring essential elements of 2D design and contemporary art. Through the study of line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour, students experiment with a number of wet and dry media such as charcoal, graphite, ink, and water-based paints. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and discussion of practicing artists supplement the studio experience (virtual tours of the museum are featured if online). This course is recommended for both beginners and those wanting to improve and develop their current skills and ideas. Note: In-person Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

This course is for students interested in exploring contemporary fashion design methods and materials rather than constructing specific garments. Students develop skills in illustrating the fashion figure, styling, draping, and fabric selection, are introduced to the history of fashion design and new research and documentation methods, and are exposed to contemporary designers and design practices. Students may explore resources such as SAIC's Fashion Resource Center, which houses a library on fashion and the history of costume, a number of individual garments and accessories of significant historical importance, and a rich collection of visual material not accessible to the general public, as well as the AIC's collection of art and textiles to develop an informed, thoughtful, and creative approach to design. The class will draw on these resources to develop unique textile and garment designs and to learn about clothing as a language, how garments communicate, and what they signify. Students can expect to gain skills in illustrating the fashion figure, styling, draping the form and developing patterns, increased knowledge of the history of individual garments, research/documentation, and exposure to contemporary designers and a selected history of fashion.

This course is designed for students who are interested in exploring the evolving world of digital illustration. Students will begin with traditional media and processes and then translate their ideas digitally in programs such as Procreate. Throughout the course, student build a portfolio of digital work that can exist online and as printed media, such as posters & zines. Project examples include character development, merchandise design (ex. enamel pins, stickers, and t-shirts), digital paintings, and children’s book illustrations. Faculty presentations will supplement the studio experience, featuring work by contemporary illustrators who are pushing the field of illustration using new tools and approaches to mark-making.

Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, this course introduces the specific materials and processes of the medium. Demonstrations on stretching a canvas, laying out a palette, various paint application techniques, and color mixing provide the fundamentals of oil painting and a strong foundation for creating portfolio-quality work. In addition, color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective are explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that encourage students to confidently experiment to find their own direction and style. Basic drawing and water-based painting experience required. Note: Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

This course is for students interested in exploring contemporary fashion design methods and materials rather than constructing specific garments. Students develop skills in illustrating the fashion figure, styling, draping, and fabric selection, are introduced to the history of fashion design and new research and documentation methods, and are exposed to contemporary designers and design practices. Students may explore resources such as SAIC's Fashion Resource Center, which houses a library on fashion and the history of costume, a number of individual garments and accessories of significant historical importance, and a rich collection of visual material not accessible to the general public, as well as the AIC's collection of art and textiles to develop an informed, thoughtful, and creative approach to design. The class will draw on these resources to develop unique textile and garment designs and to learn about clothing as a language, how garments communicate, and what they signify. Students can expect to gain skills in illustrating the fashion figure, styling, draping the form and developing patterns, increased knowledge of the history of individual garments, research/documentation, and exposure to contemporary designers and a selected history of fashion.

Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, this course introduces the specific materials and processes of the medium. Demonstrations on stretching a canvas, laying out a palette, various paint application techniques, and color mixing provide the fundamentals of oil painting and a strong foundation for creating portfolio-quality work. In addition, color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective are explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that encourage students to confidently experiment to find their own direction and style. Basic drawing and water-based painting experience required. Note: Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.