Summer Camps
Summer Camps
Middle School Program (Ages 10-13)
One- and Two-Week Sessions
See all courses and register today. Our one- and two-week on-campus and online summer camps are designed to allow students to focus on their interests, learn new skills, and bring their ideas to life. We offer course subjects and resources not available to young creators anywhere else in the world.
Middle School Program (Ages 10-13) On-Campus Session Dates:
1-Week Session: June 26–30, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
1-Week Session: July 10–14, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
2-Week Session: July 17–28, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
2-Week Session: July 31–August 11, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Family Camp (Ages 4-10 with Adult) On-Campus Session Dates:
1-Week Session: July 31–August 4, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
1-Week Session: July 31–August 4, Monday–Friday, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
What Makes Our Middle School Summer Camps Special
- Students are able to dig deep into 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 integral to students’ experiences. Be prepared to have your child teach you about their favorite pieces in our collection!
- Our faculty are not only amazing mentors and teachers but have robust artistic practices themselves. Each online class has one instructor and one classroom assistant, allowing for a 7-to-1 student-to-adult ratio.
- Our courses are great ways to make new friends who share similar interests.
What Do SAIC’s Middle School Program Camps Look Like?
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 youth make art. With us, students learn to explore, imagine, and discover in their own unique ways. We help them on their path to becoming the creators, innovators, and problem-solvers of the future regardless of where their academic interests take them.
What Does In-Person Learning Look Like?
Led by our renowned faculty, our in-person camps will focus on arts-based skill building, concept development, and self expression within a community of creative peers and mentors. Frequent visits to the Art Institute of Chicago will supplement exciting in-class projects that allow students to dive deep into their areas of interest.
Example Daily Schedule
9:00–9:15 a.m. Welcome, warm up exercises & morning sketches
9:15–9:30 a.m. Morning check in and demonstrations
9:30–10:30 a.m. Studio time
10:30–10:45 a.m. Snack break
10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Studio time continued
12:00–1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00–2:00 p.m. Research, reflection, mid-day critique
2:00–3:00 p.m. Museum trip
3:00–4:00 p.m. Studio time and checkout
What Does Online Learning Look Like?
In our online classrooms, you’ll join our talented teaching artists in a dynamic, interactive online learning environment that combines virtual exploration of the Art Institute of Chicago and other exciting sites online with live demonstrations, studio exercises, and real-time feedback from your instructor.
Example Daily Schedule
9:00–9:15 a.m. Log onto your Zoom class: Welcome, community building & reflection
9:15–9:30 a.m. Demonstration of skills and techniques & inspiration from your instructor
9:30–10:00 a.m. Group work: Class discussions, making together, virtual museum visits, and more
10:00–10:45 a.m. Working and making time, check-ins with instructors, stretch breaks as needed (chat will be active so you can stay engaged with your peers and instructors)
10:45–11:00 a.m. Workshare, reflection
11:00–11:45 a.m. Independent learning: The instructor provides videos, projects, and other materials for students to engage with.
11:45 a.m. –12:00 p.m. Check-out
Common Questions for Online Learning
How do I know what supplies I need for my online course?
Supplies are the responsibility of the student. Instructors will prepare a supply list and students are responsible for obtaining the items on it. The cost of supplies varies by course, and can range between $50 and $100. Students may need to purchase additional supplies for specific projects as needed.
Supply lists for courses can be found at the link below one week before the first meeting or sooner.
If my class is scheduled to meet at specific times, does that mean I will be in class for the duration?
Yes, you will be in the Zoom meeting for the class duration. However, don’t worry! You will not be staring at your screen for three hours. There will be times when the class will be meeting as a group or in breakout rooms and times when students will have cameras off, and you will be working independently. During those off-camera independent work sessions, you’ll have the chance to check in with your instructors to talk about your projects and ask any questions, and the chatbox will stay open so peers and instructors can be in touch.
Contact Us
Continuing Studies staff members are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CT at 312.629.6170 or cs@saic.edu to answer your questions. We are here to help!