Charlotte has so many art events and activities going on any given day. This means there are lots of pretty cool art things happening for the younger crowd too.

As the school year finishes out and the days grow longer and warmer, thoughts can’t help but drift to summer. Throughout the city, there are a multitude of art camps, workshops and lessons for kids of all ages. Actually narrowing down which ones to pick might be tough with all the available choices.

When looking at the cost, remember it is covering different sessions over time and often supplies or other special opportunities are included. (One can also check with that particular venue to ask if there are scholarships or financial aid available.)

These are just a few picks from a vast sea of summer creative experiences for kids. The Charlotte Culture Guide — sponsored by the Arts & Science Council, a Knight Arts grantee — is a great place to start. Use the links to get all of the information.

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Johnson C. Smith University: Summer Dance Workshop Sunday, July 22 through Friday, July 27

The JCSU Summer Dance Workshop allows 9th-grade through college-age dancers to study ballet, modern, jazz, pointe and repertory with JCSU dance faculty and its resident dance company, The Wanda Project. Participants may reside on campus or commute daily, and the week ends with an informal performance. ______________________

NC Dance Theatre: Summer 2012 courses (NC Dance Theatre is a Knight Arts grantee.)

Summer Dance Camps (Ages 3-6)Favorite storybook tales come to life through dance, music, crafts and performance at week-long Dance Camps.

Summer Dance Classes (Ages 3-13)Explore dance through a variety of classes during the 5 week summer session (June 25 – July 28).

Summer Workshop (Ages 9-13) The Summer Workshop offers classes in ballet, pointe, modern, and jazz, five afternoons a week with our School’s outstanding faculty members. The Workshop will take place June 25 – July 27 and students have the option to attend 3, 4, or 5 weeks. ______________________

Mint Museum: Special Edition Teen Camp (Mint Museum is a Knight Arts grantee.) Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20

 (Ages 15-18) Designed to assist students in developing an understanding of portfolio requirements for AP and lB  art programs, this camp focuses on the development of a personal style and consistent direction of exploration. Pre-registration required. Materials provided. ______________________

Community School of the Arts: Suzuki Violin Camp 1: Discovering Suzuki Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20

Open to both currently enrolled Pre-Twinkle students and children with no prior experience. Pre-Twinkle students will attend classes designed to expand their fundamental skills, while newcomers will enjoy a fun introduction to the world of violin playing. Additional activities include music and movement lessons, listening games, and arts and crafts. ______________________

The Light Factory: 2012 Summer Camps (The Light Factory is a Knight Arts grantee.) Friday, June 1 through Wednesday, August 15

The Light Factory has summer camps that focus on fun with photography, filmmaking and digital media for students and youth. The Light Factory is one of only four museums in the country that celebrates both mediums of photography and film which means that campers have the unique opportunity to express themselves using the most powerful mediums of our time.

The Light Factory offers week-long, half-day camps in all aspects of photography and filmmaking for rising third through twelfth graders. Camps include Documentary Filmmaking, Black-and-White Darkroom Photography, Photoshop, Stop-Motion Animation and very special camps for Special Needs students in both photography and film. ______________________

Charlotte Art League: ”Go Green” Art Camp Monday, June 18 through Friday, August 3

Spend the summer making art from used and found objects. You will Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce, by making art that shows off your creativeness. Help keep the earth green and beautiful by making art with items we discard or find. Enjoy reducing waste and adding beauty to your space. ______________________ Children’s Theatre of Charlotte: Summer Camps Monday, June 4 through Friday, August 10

Drama Camps offer a performance experience for students ages 3-18 in a fun, interactive environment. Camps are grouped by age: Early Childhood (half-day, ages 3-5), Primary (full day, rising K-2nd grade) , Performance (full-day, rising 3rd-7th grade) and Teen (full-day, rising 8th-12th grade). Professional teaching artists lead campers in acting, singing, dancing, and art activities that culminate in a performance for family and friends. ______________________

School of Architecture in the College of Arts + Architecture at University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Architecture Summer Program for High School Students

Sunday, June 10 through Friday, June 15

The Architecture Summer Program at UNC Charlotte will introduce high school students to architecture. Students will work in a studio setting at the School of Architecture and will explore a variety of architectural issues through a series of design projects. Additional activities will include use of the College’s computer lab, presentations by members of the faculty and local architects, a tour of a local architectural office, and visits to buildings in downtown Charlotte. (See videos at these links:  http://vimeo.com/17651563  & http://vimeo.com/25261333)

The students, along with their camp instructors, will live in a University residence hall and will eat together in a University facility. Students will have access to the many cultural and social activities that take place during the summer session.