Teen Art Camps

Registration opens January 24 at 7:00am

Registration for Spring Teen Camp opens January 24 at 7:00am

Registration for Summer Teen Camps opens January 24 at 7:00am

The button above will take you to the registration portal. The registration links will not display until registration opens.

You must be the parent or guardian to register a teen for camp.

Reminder: there is no early registration period for members for A2AC Art Camp programs.

READ: IMPORTANT CAMP INFO | NEW Refund Policy

READ: Learn more about our Registration System

About Teen Art Camps

Discover and develop new avenues of artistic expression at A2AC’s newly expanded Teen Art Camps!

Teen Art Camps offer an enriching balance of creativity and skill-building art educational experiences for beginner and aspiring teen artists. Throughout the week, campers dive into exciting projects that ignite imaginations and hone creative expressions within the designated art discipline. Experienced instructors and practicing artists will guide teen campers in traditional art methodologies enriched by contemporary practices to provide foundational and advanced skills.

Held in the inspiring setting of A2AC’s Main Gallery, Teen Camp cultivates an atmosphere ideal for both personal creative exploration and collaborative learning with peers. To close each camp week, campers celebrate with a private group showing in the Main Gallery, and engage in positive, supportive, structured critiques. Teens will develop skills in articulating observations and interpreting feedback, equipping them with language and analytical tools to navigate and grow within the creative process and creative world. Students hoping to pursue art professionally can expect to come away with an updated portfolio of work and new resume talking points.

All registered participants are encouraged to submit artwork for consideration in a professional group exhibit! The Teen Camp Showcase, an exclusive opportunity for registered Teen Campers, will be held in the A2AC Spotlight Gallery throughout the month of October.

This program is for teens ages 13-17 years old. *Please note: We do not make exceptions to the minimum age required to be in a given group.
Camps run Monday through Friday, from 9am – 4pm
Drop-off Time | 8:40am – 9:00am
Pick-up Time | 4:00pm – 4:20pm
View Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition: $435/week

Tuition for Teen Clay Camp weeks: $455/week

*Clay focused weeks for Teen Camp are March 24 – March 28 and June 16 – June 20*

*The A2AC reserves the right to cancel a teen camp due to insufficient enrollment. In the event of a cancellation due to low enrollment, parents/guardians will be notified no later than 1 week before the start of the camp week.

2025 TEEN ART CAMP THEMES

SPRING BREAK: WHEEL THROWING & FUNCTIONAL WARES

MARCH 24 – MARCH 28

Explore the intersections of art and utility in this exciting week of Teen Clay Camp! Teen campers will dive into the fundamentals of wheel throwing in the mornings and hand-building in the afternoons to design and craft uniquely inspired functional wares. Led by an experienced ceramics instructor, this camp welcomes participants of all skill levels.

Teen campers will blend form and function as they:

Find inspiration from contemporary ceramic artists who redefine functional pottery as art
Use hand-building techniques to design a functional yet artistic teapot
Create a cohesive wheel-thrown mug and saucer set

WEEK 1: WHEEL THROWING & SCULPTURAL FIGURES

JUNE 16 – JUNE 20

In this dynamic week of Teen Clay Camp, participants will explore the art of storytelling and self-expression through ceramic sculpture. From character figurines to expressive ceramic busts, campers will discover how to transform their creative visions into three-dimensional works of art. Led by an experienced ceramics instructor, this camp welcomes participants of all skill levels.

Teen campers will create sculptures that are both imaginative and skillfully crafted as they:

Gain inspiration from sculptural ceramic artists who explore narrative and identity through clay
Design and sculpt an original figurine, animal, or creature
Experiment with texturing and surface techniques to add personality and depth to their sculptures

WEEK 2: DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION & ANIMATION

JUNE 23 – JUNE 27

Using iPads and Procreate, teen campers will learn the fundamentals of digital illustration. From mastering brush techniques, to layering and blending, teen campers will develop essential digital design skills that bring their artistic visions to life!

Guided by an experienced instructor, campers will:

Create an animated GIF to explore movement and storytelling
Design unique character illustrations using Procreate tools and techniques
Produce a collaborative stop-motion animation

WEEK 3: ZINES & COMICS

JUNE 30 – JULY 2

Zines and comics are powerful tools for self-expression, storytelling, and sharing ideas. In this 3-day camp, teens will explore the world of visual narratives, discovering how to create unique, hand-crafted zines and comics that reflect their personal style, voice, and ideas. This camp is perfect for teens who love to draw, write, or simply have something to say! Campers will leave with finished zines and comics, new skills in visual storytelling, and tools to continue sharing their unique, creative perspectives.

Teen campers will:

Participate in creative exercises to build skills in visual storytelling
Create an 8 page zine folded from a single sheet of paper on a topic that inspires them
Trade zines and comics with peers in a collaborative, community building exchange

*Week 3 is a 3-Day camp due to the 4th of July. Adjusted tuition for this camp is $261

WEEK 4: PRINTMAKING

JULY 7 – JULY 11

Unleash your creativity in this hands-on printmaking camp! Teen campers will learn the fundamentals of multiple printmaking techniques such as relief, intaglio, serigraphy, and experimental mixed-media processes. Led by an experienced instructor, campers will receive personalized feedback and guidance to confidently express their own artistic voices through this versatile art discipline.

Teen campers will:

Explore relief printing by carving linoleum blocks and create multi-layered, multi-colored prints
Investigate intaglio printmaking through drypoint etching methods
Create one-of-a-kind, painterly monotypes

WEEK 5: JEWELRY & METALSMITHING

JULY 14 – JULY 18

Discover the art of jewelry design and metalsmithing! Held in our fully equipped jewelry studio, this camp introduces essential techniques such as cutting, forming, texturing, stone setting, and torch soldering. Led by an experienced instructor with a BFA in Metalsmithing, teen campers will enjoy hands-on demonstrations, personalized feedback, and expert guidance to confidently and safely create works of art with metal.

Teen campers will design and craft their own unique jewelry and metalwork pieces while:

Learning foundational metalsmithing techniques
Drawing knowledge and inspiration from historical and contemporary metal artists
Exploring the balance of form and function in their creations

WEEK 6: SCULPTURE

JULY 21 – JULY 25

Join us for a fun and creative journey into the world of three-dimensional art! Guided by an experienced instructor with a BFA in Sculpture, teen campers will explore a variety of materials and techniques to create unique sculptures that shape and showcase their personal artistic expressions.

Teen campers will:

Create works of art using materials such as wire, papier-mâché, modeling clay, cardboard, metal, and styrofoam
Learn additive, subtractive, and assemblage techniques
Create a sculpture that explores themes of identity or culture

WEEK 7: PORTRAIT & FIGURE STUDIES

JULY 28 – AUGUST 1

Portraits and figure studies have been a cornerstone of visual art for centuries, offering endless ways to convey human emotion, identity, and narratives. This camp includes drawing sessions with live, clothed figure models for real life observation, in addition to photo references to broaden skills in rendering the figure and portraits. Led by an experienced instructor and artist with expertise in figure drawing, participants will receive personalized guidance that will advance skills, build confidence, and assist in bringing creative visions to life!

Teen campers will:

Experiment with a variety of drawing materials such as charcoal, graphite, pastels, ink, and colored pencils
Observe proportions of the human face and body, and learn methods of how to capture emotion and posture in a work of art
Create a self-portrait that expresses their unique identity and creative voice

WEEK 8: LANDSCAPE & URBAN SKETCHING

AUGUST 4 – AUGUST 8

Explore downtown Ann Arbor like never before and turn real-life sights into personal works of art. This camp combines outdoor plein air sketching in Ann Arbor’s vibrant downtown area with focused studio practice in A2AC’s inspiring Main Gallery. Teen campers will learn essential techniques for capturing the beauty of our surrounding landscapes and urban environments through observational skills and creative expression. Led by an experienced instructor with a BFA and background in urban planning, this camp offers specialized insight into the art of rendering urban and natural landscapes.

Teen campers will:

Explore the fundamentals of plein air sketching within the neighboring blocks surrounding the A2AC
Apply knowledge of atmospheric perspective and one-point perspective to create depth and realism in a landscape
Capture the energy of urban spaces through dynamic, creative compositions and use of materials

WEEK 9: PAINTING

AUGUST 11 – AUGUST 15

Dive into the world of color, light, and texture in this immersive painting camp! Teen campers will gain foundational understanding of painting while experimenting with vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive techniques. From bold acrylics, to delicate watercolors, and versatile water-based oils, young artists will learn how each medium can unlock new creative possibilities. With a focus on painting techniques, color theory, and capturing light and shadow, campers will develop a deeper understanding of how to utilize these tools to express their own unique creativity.

Teen campers will:

Apply knowledge of color theory and color mixing to create harmonious color palettes
Explore techniques like underpainting and glazing to add depth and texture to a painting
Combine realistic painting techniques with imaginative design elements to create a surrealist painting

WEEK 10: BASICS OF PORTFOLIO & DIGITAL PORTFOLIO

AUGUST 18 – AUGUST 22

Wrap up the summer by strengthening the foundations of your artistic journey! This camp empowers young artists to create a strong traditional portfolio and helps them start building a digital portfolio to showcase their work. Whether preparing for college, applying for exhibitions or craft fairs, or simply pursuing personal growth, this camp equips teens with the tools to present their art with confidence and professionalism. By the end of the week, campers will leave with a polished portfolio (both traditional and digital), increased confidence in talking about their art, and an application submitted for consideration in the Teen Camp Showcase, an exclusive opportunity open to all registered Teen Campers. The Teen Camp Showcase will be held in the A2AC Spotlight Gallery throughout the month of October.

Teen campers will:

Apply technical skills in a variety of 2-D mediums to create portfolio worthy pieces
Photograph and edit high quality images of their artwork
Develop language that reflects their individual artistic voice and vision

FAQ

What days and times do the camps run?

We offer full-day camps. All camps run from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

What times are drop-off and pick-up?

Morning drop-off is from 8:40am – 9:00am.

Afternoon pick-up is from 4:00pm – 4:20pm.

Can teens have the option to walk, bike, and sign themself into camp?

Yes. The Medical/Release Form will list an option whereby you may give permission for your teen to arrive and sign themself into camp independently. Teens may not sign themselves out of camp until 4:00pm.

Parents will also have the option of selecting to be responsible for signing their teen in and out of camp.

What do the teens need to bring to camp?

Wear old clothes & old shoes that can get dirty. Many art materials do not wash out of clothes.
Shoes must be closed-toed. No flip-flops, sandals, etc.
A labeled water bottle with their name clearly marked.
The A2AC requests that all packed lunches be nut-free. Please note that microwave and refrigerator facilities are not available.
Teens may bring 1-2 snacks, but are not required to.
Sunscreen in the event class goes outside for an activity. Sunscreen application is encouraged before arriving to camp.

When will I receive an e-mail containing the Teen Art Camps Handbook and Medical Form?

Families will be sent an e-mail containing the Teen Art Camps Handbook and the Teen Art Camps Medical Form 3 weeks before the start of the camp week.

If your teen is enrolled in multiple camp weeks, you will receive an email for each week they are attending. Please review each email carefully, as it may contain essential information tailored to that specific camp week.

Notes:

Only one medical form is required per participant, which we will retain on file throughout the summer. There’s no need to complete additional forms for subsequent weeks of camp.

How big are the camp groups?

Each camp week can accommodate a 7:1 or lower camp-to-staff ratio.

*Please note: we do not make exceptions to the minimum age required to be in a given group.

When is the lunch time? Does my child need to bring a lunch?

Lunchtime is from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Teens will need to bring a nut-free/peanut-free lunch. No refrigerator or microwave is available.

Teens are welcome to bring 1-2 snacks if they would like, but it is not required.

Do teens go outside at all during the day?

Teens do not go to the nearby Montessori School Play Yard, like our Youth Art Camp does. The instructor will provide short breaks during the day. Per the instructor, teens may occasionally take a break to view artwork in the Gallery Shop, Spotlight Gallery, Exhibitions Gallery, or Aquarium Gallery.

At the discretion of the Camp Director and Instructor, teens may also engage in outdoor activities within the nearby area.