Kids Art Camp

  • A wooden table viewed from an aerial perspective with miscellaneous items arranged in groups based on color. Items include; an apple, a strawberry, a banana, post-its, a packet of bubblegum, markers, a crayon, stuffed animals, scissors, a book, etc.
     
  • Two young children sit side by side with a wooden table in front of them. The child holding a marker in their right hand holds up a large piece of paper with a drawing for the other child to see. The child looks at the drawing intently.
     
  • A triptych of an art-making process. On the right is a notebook with drawings and a hand squeezing glue onto cardboard. In the is a child drawing a dragon with glue. On the left is cardboard with glue designs such as a "Peace" symbol and happy faces.
     
  • A young child sits on a grassy field on a sunny day facing a tree in the distance. The child holds a spiraled notebook in their lap and a marker in their right hand.
     
  • A young girl with long hair wearing glasses sits at a desk drawing with an orange colored pencil on paper. Within her view is an open laptop, in the background resides a variety of colored pencils, an art camp toolkit, and unspooled turquoise yarn.
     
  • A photograph of an in progress drawing of cloud tessellation. There is a sketchbook with notes and a used dirty white eraser nearby.
     
  • An aerial view of two children drawings shadows of plush animals outdoors. They are sitting or laying on concrete with pencils and paper. The shadows the animals cast are strong.
     

Enhanced Safety Measures

We will continue to require masks for all campers and SJMA educators in order to maintain our high standard of health and safety. 

Kids Summer Art Camp

Join SJMA for a week of fun, creativity, and artistic growth this summer. Whether in-person or live-virtual, campers get behind-the-scenes access to exhibitions, experiment with the artistic process, and show off their own work in a student exhibition. SJMA’s teaching artists offer in-depth art experiences inspired by current exhibitions. Kids learn how to look at, talk about, and create art. Each student receives a kit of art supplies to practice new techniques at home.

Scholarships are available!

If your 6–14 year old camper attends a Title I school, resides within the San José city limits, and has financial need, please fill out a scholarship application which includes camp tuition, supplies, and a camp t-shirt! 

Scholarship Application

WHO

For children ages 6–14 (in-person camps are divided into age groups 6–8, 9–11, and specialized teen camp 12–14). Live Virtual camp is for ages 9–14.

Each camper will receive individual artistic support, encouragement, and creative challenges unique to their learning style and skill level. 

WHAT

Join SJMA for a summer art camp that pairs creative exploration of art materials and processes led by our experienced gallery teachers and studio art educators with enhanced creative growth opportunities.

In addition to exploring a variety of media and techniques, campers will engage in interpretive art and science lessons created by Greg Brown, a Stanford-trained design thinker, and STEM consultant.

Art Camp Exhibition

Each week families and caregivers will be invited to attend the exhibition reception of campers' artwork, joining us to celebrate the artistic achievements of each participant.

Camps run Monday–Friday for ages 6–8, 9–11, 12–14, and 9–14 (Live Virtual). No camp the week of July 3. 

Please note that curriculum for ages 6–8 and 9–11 repeats from week to week, however, each week of teen camp is unique. 

REGISTRATION

Early registration for SJMA members at the Dual/Family level or above is February 7–14, 2023.

General registration begins Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Member Discount

$50 discount for signed-in members at the Dual/Family Level or above. Not a SJMA member? Join now!

WHEN

All camps run Monday–Friday (no camp the week of July 3) 

Onsite Camps

Monday, June 12–Friday, July 21, 2023,  9am–3pm. (See FAQS for more info on when you will receive your camper 'welcome' email and first day of camp information.)

Live Virtual Camp

Monday, July 24–Friday, July 28, 2023, 9am–12pm (ages 9–14).

Camp Options

  • Week 1: June 12–16 (ages 6–8), (ages 9–11), and teen camp (ages 12–14)

Teen camp theme: 'Art and Activism' 
The aim of this class is look at the ways art has historically been used to high light social justice issues. Various mediums and approaches will be covered, providing the students with opportunities to produce their own art work  to highlight any topics of their choice. 

  • Week 2: June 19–23  (ages 6–8), (ages 9–11), and teen camp (ages 12–14)

Teen camp theme: 'Artwear' 
Create your own art that you can wear! We will be exploring simple textile manipulation techniques to create a series of accessories, culminating in an exhibition.  

  • Week 3: June 26–June 30  (ages 6–8), (ages 9–11), and teen camp (ages 12–14)

Teen camp theme: 'Visual Journaling' 
Focusing on introducing media, such as watercolor, acrylic, charcoal and collage. Artists from the Museum will be used as media inspiration. We will utilize sketchbooks as a means for visual and creative journaling.  

  • Week 4: July 10–14 (ages 6–8), (ages 9–11), and teen camp (ages 12–14)

Teen camp theme: 'App Design' 
Campers will explore the aesthetics behind a variety of existing apps and take their findings to the concept board! Learn how to design your own logo and what your app prototype might look like in this collaborative teen workshop. 

  • Week 5: July 17–21 (ages 6–8), (ages 9–11), and teen camp (ages 12–14)

Teen camp theme: Acrylic Painting 
Throw on your painting smock! Beginning with exploring color theory techniques and manipulation, campers will develop an imaginative body of work from a variety of acrylic techniques.  

  • *Week 6, Live Virtual: July 24–28 (ages 9–14)

Theme: 'Visual Storytelling'
Join us this summer as you learn to express your ideas using the visual arts. Learn about printmaking, illustration, collage,  graphic novels and zine production. 

*Week 6 is our live virtual option and will be conducted through the Zoom platform. Week 6 schedule is Monday–Friday, 9am–12pm, combined ages 9–14.

CAMP FEES

  • $500 per week Weeks 1–5, onsite)

  • $250 Week 6 (live virtual)

  • Museum Members at the Dual/Family level or above: $50 discount

  • Camp fees include art materials and supplies

REFUND POLICY

Fees are refundable if requested before Thursday, June 1, 2023 ($35 processing fee applies). No refunds will be given starting Thursday, June 1, 2023. Please contact us at education@sjmusart.org.

The San José Museum of Art has the right to cancel the camp, in which case fees are 100% refundable. Registration is not transferable. 

ART MATERIALS

SJMA provides all art materials needed to participate in our camps.

Please visit the FAQ page for more details or contact us at education@sjmusart.org.