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Middle School Programs

Summer Camps

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Summer Camps

Middle School Program (Ages 10-13)

Two-Week Sessions
Our two-week on-campus 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:

All courses are Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

  • July 7-18, 2025

  • July 21-August 1, 2025

  • August 4-15, 2025

Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

In this course, students explore a variety of traditional and contemporary painting techniques. Projects include painting from observation and the imagination, as well as experimental approaches to mark-making. Students explore a wide range of materials, such as pastels, acrylic and watercolor paint, charcoal, graphite, gouache, and colored pencils while developing skills in rendering, composition, use of shading, color blending, and layering processes. Regular visits to the Art Institute of Chicago to observe and sketch from paintings and sculptures inspire studio work. This course is designed for all levels.

Class Number

2429

Credits

1

Department

Middle School Programs

Subject

CS Painting

Location

Sharp 410

Description

This course is designed for students who wish to use both digital and traditional/analog media to create moving images. Students learn animation principles while discovering many different techniques, including stop-motion, frame-by-frame, and more. Digital tools may be used in conjunction with sketchbook work and traditional processes to reflect contemporary artistic hybrid methods. This course can be repeated for continued skill building.

Class Number

2428

Credits

1

Department

Middle School Programs

Subject

CS Film, Video, New Media,Anim

Location

Sharp 402

Description

This course introduces young designers to fashion with an emphasis on discovering their own style while learning the technical skills that allow them to take their designs from concept to reality. Activities guide students through the process of developing original ideas, finding inspiration for fashion in the world around them, and responding to the work of other artists and designers. Students also explore sculptural draping by using paper to create exciting experimental garments on the dress form. As their designs develop, technical skills are introduced, including printing, embroidery, draping, and machine sewing. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Flaxman Library provide inspiration and supplement the studio experience. Each student creates a complete garment by the end of the course. Lessons/projects change each semester so students may enroll in this course multiple times.

Class Number

2426

Credits

1

Department

Middle School Programs

Subject

CS Fashion

Location

Sullivan Center 701

Description

This course introduces young designers to fashion with an emphasis on discovering their own style while learning the technical skills that allow them to take their designs from concept to reality. Activities guide students through the process of developing original ideas, finding inspiration for fashion in the world around them, and responding to the work of other artists and designers. Students also explore sculptural draping by using paper to create exciting experimental garments on the dress form. As their designs develop, technical skills are introduced, including printing, embroidery, draping, and machine sewing. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Flaxman Library provide inspiration and supplement the studio experience. Each student creates a complete garment by the end of the course. Lessons/projects change each semester so students may enroll in this course multiple times.

Class Number

2427

Credits

1

Department

Middle School Programs

Subject

CS Fashion

Location

Sullivan Center 701

Description

This course guides students through the process of bringing illustrations to the next level by creating unique comics and graphic novels. Emphasis is placed on storytelling, introducing students to character development, plot structure, scripting, and storyboarding. Skills in pencilling, inking, coloring, space, and perspective are introduced through the use of a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional media, which may include colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolors, digitally edited drawings, and/or handmade zines. Artist presentations, trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, and visits to downtown Chicago's vast array of public art provide inspiration and drawing practice as an entry into the basics of comic narrative and stylization. *Basic drawing skills are helpful, but not required.

Class Number

2425

Credits

1

Department

Middle School Programs

Subject

CS Drawing

Location

Sharp 407

Description

This course offers an introduction to drawing as an exciting means of expression through writing, discussion, sketchbooks, and individual and group projects. Students explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches, including essential elements of 2D design and art, as they develop an understanding of line, shape, shading, and light. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago to gain inspiration from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects. This course is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

Class Number

2431

Credits

1

Department

Middle School Programs

Subject

CS Drawing

Location

Sharp 410

Description

This course offers an introduction to drawing as an exciting means of expression through writing, discussion, sketchbooks, and individual and group projects. Students explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches, including essential elements of 2D design and art, as they develop an understanding of line, shape, shading, and light. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago to gain inspiration from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects. This course is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

Class Number

2430

Credits

1

Department

Middle School Programs

Subject

CS Drawing

Location

Sharp 407

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. 

Led by our renowned faculty, our 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

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!