Summer is the perfect time for young people to explore, imagine, and create — and our area is brimming with creative summer camps. From painting and dance to theater and more, these programs spark creativity and lasting memories. Here’s where to start.
Performing Arts
Asolo Rep
The Asolo Rep’s summer camps inspire young performers to express, explore and shine.
Young people explore multiple facets of theater arts at Asolo Rep’s summer camps. Whether crafting their own stories or embarking on character-driven quests, kids and teens delve into acting, design, storytelling and — most importantly — imaginative play. The high school curriculum includes Costume Workshops and Musical Theater sessions at the FSU Center for Performing Arts. Both are taught by theatrical professionals. Asolo Rep sessions for younger campers unfold at the Out-of-Door Summer Academy. These include: Creative Dramatics, in which campers use voice and movement to bring characters and stories to life; and Musical Theater Camp, where young performers discover the wide world of acting, music, choreography and technical theater. Visit AsoloRep.org.
Florida Studio Theatre
Kids and teens experience the magic of theater at Florida Studio Theatre’s summer camps.
For more than 37 years, FST summer camps have provided a supportive setting for young talents to delve into acting, improv and musical theater. Guided by resident artists, campers, ages 5 to 17, build confidence, creativity and collaboration. Sessions range from one to four weeks and end with original performances on FST’s stages. Examples include Little Theatre Intro Week, which opens the door to the magic world of storytelling, acting, song and dance. Children’s Performing Arts Camp is a toolbox of acting, dancing, singing, improv and voice training. Teen Improv is a boot camp in unscripted humor. Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Sarasota Youth Opera
From centerstage to behind the scenes, young performers explore every element of opera at Sarasota Opera’s summer camp.
Young performers thrive at Sarasota Opera’s summer camp, guided by its expert artistic and production staff. Campers, separated into groups of ages 8 to 10 and 11 and above, dive into every aspect of opera — on stage and behind the scenes — through hands-on lessons with professional artists, directors and technicians. The program embraces opera’s full creative spectrum. From singing and acting to sets, props, wigs and costumes, campers experience it all. Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Visual Arts
Art Center Sarasota
Kids and teens can unleash their inner artists at Art Center Sarasota this summer.
Kids and teens can unleash their inner artists at Art Center Sarasota’s summer camp programs. These hands-on, immersive and wicked fun sessions include: UnbeWEAVEable Art (campers discover fiber arts); Creatures and Critters (campers will search the seas, the skies, the jungles and imaginary places for creatures and critters that inspire their artwork); and plenty of “Clay Days,” in partnership with Sarasota Clay Company, where young artists learn all about the art of ceramics. Each week, campers explore a variety of art mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, fiber art, ceramics and more. Visit ArtSarasota.org.
Sarasota Art Museum
At Sarasota Art Museum’s Summer Camp, young artists explore new materials and techniques, using the museum as their creative playground.
The artists of the future find inspiration today at Sarasota Art Museum’s weekly summer camp sessions. The museum itself is a vibrant classroom for kids and teens. Led by professional teaching artists, campers experiment with new materials, techniques and ways of seeing. They create their masterpieces in SAM’s fully equipped ceramics, multimedia and drawing and painting studios. The experience culminates in a student-led exhibition in the Community Gallery at SAM. Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Summer at The Ringling
Summertime is the perfect time for the whole family to visit The Ringling.
Celebrate a family friendly summer at The Ringling with a variety of different events for children and their adults. There’s Family Nights @ Art After Five, Family Gallery Talks (led by a museum educator); and Stroller Tours, designed for parents with an infant or toddler. Tweens and teens can also dive deeper into art and history with programs designed just for them. Visit Ringling.org.
