Welcome to Young Artist Summer Camp 2026: Six weeks. Six themes. Endless creativity.
Our summer camp invites young artists in grades K-12 to dive into a new medium each week—from painting and sculpture to printmaking and natural art. Led by working West Philly artists, each session is packed with hands-on exploration, creative play, culminating in a final project that kids will be thrilled with. Can't commit to a full week? No problem—day passes are available! Registering siblings? Use the discount code SIBLING5 for 5% off when checking out.
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To ensure every camper gets an age-appropriate experience, we run three groups simultaneously throughout the summer:
Sprouts (K-2nd Grade)
Our youngest campers explore art through play and sensory experiences, building foundational skills and creative confidence in a nurturing environment.Blooms (3rd-5th Grade)
Middle-level artists develop techniques through multi-day projects, learning to balance experimentation with skill-building alongside their peers.Roots (6th-12th Grade)
Our oldest campers are the roots of our creative community, grounding our programs with their advanced work, leadership, and artistic vision. They tackle complex techniques and conceptual projects while enjoying greater independence as they explore their unique voices.
How It Works:
All three groups explore the week’s theme at their developmental level. Campers spend most of the day with their age group, working with teaching artists who tailor instruction to their needs, while coming together for morning routines, snack time, and Friday showcases.
Siblings can attend camp together, friendships form within age groups, and everyone is part of one vibrant, creative ecosystem under our roof.
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Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm
Upon registration, you’ll be asked to complete the Camper Information Form,
and you’ll receive a welcome packet!
Please note that we serve students ages 5+
Cancellation Policy: One month before = full refund, less than one month = half refund,
week of cancellation=no refund possible. You also have the option to use any cancellation
as a credit towards next year’s summer camp.
1 week of Young Artist Summer Camp left in 2026!
A celebration of fashion, craft, and self-expression where students create wearable art that reflects their unique style.
Sprouts (K-2nd): Tiny Treasures
Our youngest designers create simple jewelry, paint on fabric, and craft wearable items such as crowns, capes, and accessories. They'll explore color, pattern, and personal style while learning that art isn't just for walls; it can be worn, shared, and carried with you wherever you go.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Wear Your Art
Middle-level artists learn beading techniques, basic hand-sewing, tie-dye, and accessory-making. They'll design and create jewelry, bags, patches, and wearable pieces that express their personality. Students explore how fashion serves as a form of self-expression and learn skills they can use to personalize their own wardrobe.
Roots (6th-12th): Made to Wear, Made with Care
Our oldest designers explore fiber arts, advanced jewelry-making techniques, and wearable sculpture. They'll learn about sustainable fashion, upcycling, and how wearable art challenges the boundaries between craft, fashion, and fine art. This group creates sophisticated pieces, from hand-stitched garments to sculptural jewelry, that are both functional and thought-provoking.
Made to Wear, Made with Care: Functional & Wearable Art
August 10th-14th
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Sprouts (K-2nd): Tiny Treasures
Our youngest designers create simple jewelry, paint on fabric, and craft wearable items such as crowns, capes, and accessories. They'll explore color, pattern, and personal style while learning that art isn't just for walls; it can be worn, shared, and carried with you wherever you go.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Wear Your Art
Middle-level artists learn beading techniques, basic hand-sewing, tie-dye, and accessory-making. They'll design and create jewelry, bags, patches, and wearable pieces that express their personality. Students explore how fashion serves as a form of self-expression and learn skills they can use to personalize their own wardrobe.
Roots (6th-12th): Made to Wear, Made with Care
Our oldest designers explore fiber arts, advanced jewelry-making techniques, and wearable sculpture. They'll learn about sustainable fashion, upcycling, and how wearable art challenges the boundaries between craft, fashion, and fine art. This group creates sophisticated pieces, from hand-stitched garments to sculptural jewelry, that are both functional and thought-provoking.
This is a day pass for Young Artist Summer Camp 2026! Use it for any day, any week :)
Code of Conduct:
All parents and guardians registering their child/children for camp are required to sign the following agreement:
Our Expectations
Be Kind to yourself, your classmates, and the instructors and staff.
Be Respectful to the space (keep it clean!), to each other (hands to yourself, use kind language), and to the materials (use them carefully and appropriately).
Be Safe: Stay with your class and instructor, communicate when you need to leave, and follow all classroom rules.
Be Creative: Come ready to create, learn, and try your best.
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Behavior Policy
We are committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for every student, family, and staff member. All students are expected to uphold the Code of Conduct at all times. The following outlines how behavioral concerns will be addressed:
Level 1 — Verbal Warning
A staff member will address the behavior directly with the student in the moment and document the incident.
Level 2 — Incident Report & Family Notification
A second behavioral concern will result in a filed incident report and direct communication with the student's parent or guardian.
Level 3 — Mandatory Family Meeting
A third incident report will result in a mandatory meeting between the family and the Youth Programs Director. A plan for moving forward will be established at that time. If the agreed-upon changes are not observed, dismissal from the program will occur. Re-enrollment the following year will be considered pending a meeting with the Youth Programs Director.
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Immediate Dismissal—Zero Tolerance
Certain behaviors will result in immediate dismissal from the program with no refund, regardless of prior incident history. These include:
• Any intentional physical harm to students, staff, or animals
• Emotional abuse, including targeted harassment or bullying
• Hate speech of any kind
• Deliberate destruction of materials or the space
Intentional harm, physical or emotional, will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Both students and staff deserve a space where they can safely teach, learn, and create. Families will be contacted immediately in the event of a zero-tolerance dismissal, and re-enrollment will require a formal meeting with the Youth Programs Director before any future participation is considered. In the event of immediate dismissal, a refund will not be issued.
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Vaccination
The child/children I am signing on behalf of are up-to-date on all required vaccinations for their age (please consult a pediatrician if in doubt).
FAQs & Other Information
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Lunch is served at 12 PM. If a student gets dropped off later during the day, they can still receive lunch. We partner with Nutritional Development Services, which provides the lunch free of charge. If your child has any dietary restrictions, please let us know.
Snack is served at 4 PM. If a student gets dropped off later during the day, they can still receive a snack.
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Fourth graders and above can walk themselves from home to TAL and back. They must have written permission from their parent or guardian. Please email program@theartsleague.org to arrange this.
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All teaching staff and adults participating in the Young Artist Summer Camp are required to submit clearances as mandated by Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 63 (Act 153 of 2014). Required clearances include:
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check
These clearances must be current and on file prior to the start of camp.
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We are unable to offer full-ride scholarships at this time. However, Afterpay can be used at checkout to split the cost of camp into installments.