""Young girl showing off her sculpture

Let your little dreamers
discover the joy of art

Introducing ArtsCamp, our summer camp program in Orange County, where your child's creativity isn't just welcomed—it's celebrated! We blend hands-on experiences in visual arts, music, movement, and drama with the infectious joy of imaginative play, creating an unforgettable summer experience for your child. Beyond crafting art, we're building life skills—fostering self-expression, nurturing problem-solving abilities, and enhancing teamwork
With an array of summer camps designed for both budding artists and seasoned creators, we provide an environment where children are encouraged to experiment, learn, and grow. Guided by our skilled teaching artists, your child will explore new artistic territories, refine their techniques, and create their own masterpieces.

Artistic adventures await
Explore our summer camp
programs in Carrboro

Hear from happy art campers

Don't just take our word for it. Hear directly from our summer campers and their parents about their unforgettable Summer ArtsCamp experiences at The ArtsCenter.
"We were really impressed with our experience; our camper loved her week. She really liked her counselors, and they did a good job drawing her in to things, as she is usually very shy in new settings. She really really loved learning the dance moves."
"Our daughter faces a lot of social anxiety, but she felt very comfortable at camp... (her first time doing a camp without her sibling). She loves the counselors and was so happy to go to camp everyday. Well done!! It felt like such a big deal for her to have such a great experience given her past challenges with new social situations. We appreciate how the counselors created a welcoming and inclusive environment!"
"The Arts Center is the best. The best staff. The best teachers. We feel very lucky to have participated in a summer camp and hope to come back for more time next year. We were absolutely amazed by how much our daughter learned."
"My child really loves creating art, especially drawing -it is something she does every day and it seems like just a natural part of who she is. [She] says the ArtCenter is by far her favorite. I think because she's really learning something new, and also allowed to experiment and do some things her own way."
"We were really impressed with our experience; our camper loved her week. She really liked her counselors, and they did a good job drawing her in to things, as she is usually very shy in new settings. She really really loved learning the dance moves."
"Our daughter faces a lot of social anxiety, but she felt very comfortable at camp... (her first time doing a cake without her sibling). She loves the counselors and was so happy to go to camp everyday. Well done!! It felt like such a big deal for her to have such a great experience given her past challenges with new social situations. We appreciate how the counselors created a welcoming and inclusive environment!"
"[My camper] loved learning about Photoshop, which my kiddo had been wanting to learn for a little while now. Really enjoyed the creative freedom involved while using PhotoShop... Advanced Sewing - My kiddo loved making all of these more complicated sewing projects and continuing her love of sewing overall."

Scholarships

Making ArtsCamp Accessible

At The ArtsCenter, we believe in removing financial barriers to creativity. That's why we offer a limited number of full-day scholarships, including extended care and lunch, based on financial need. We're passionate about ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of art.
Apply now
""Young smiling girl holding a paintbrush with a rainbow patterned background
""Young painter with rainbow background

Become a camp Counselor

Lead, Inspire, Grow

Our Summer ArtsCamp counselor program offers high school students an enriching opportunity to develop leadership skills, work with children, and gain experience in an arts education setting. As an ArtsCamp Counselor, you'll be a vital part of the team, helping to nurture creativity, inspire young minds, and make a difference in our vibrant artistic community. Does this sound like something you’d love to do? Send an email to artscampassistant@artscenterlive.org to apply!

Frequently asked questions

What are the ArtsCamp session timings?

AM sessions run from 9am-noon, and PM sessions are from 1-4pm. For an additional $25, we offer Before Care (8-9am) and After Care (4-5:30pm) options, which can be selected during registration.

What about snack breaks and lunch?

We've incorporated a snack break into each session. Campers should bring a snack and water bottle daily, but snacks can also be purchased for $1. We offer a supervised lunch time from 12:00-1:00 PM at no extra cost for campers registered for AM and/or PM camps. Please bring your own lunch. A free snack will be provided for scholarship students.

What is the Registration Cancellation & Refund Policy?

Cancellations at least 14 days before the camp start date will receive a refund, minus a $25 service fee per person per camp. If a camp is canceled due to low enrollment one week before the start of a session, participants can transfer to a different camp of equivalent tuition or receive a full refund. For illness-related issues, please contact our camp staff.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we do! The ArtsCenter offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships based on financial need and funding availability. As we receive more applications than we can award, apply as early as possible.

What is the Camp Counselor Program?

This program provides high school students the opportunity to earn service hours and build skills in working with children.

What extended care options do you have?

We provide Before Care (8:00-9:00 AM) and After Care (4:00-5:30 PM) for $25/week each for families requiring additional child supervision. This can be added during camp registration.

How do I communicate my child's allergies or medical conditions?

During registration, please list any medical conditions or allergies. If your camper has additional needs, such as neurodivergence including Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD, contact the ArtsCamp staff to ensure a positive experience for your family.

When does camp registration open?

Registration for The ArtsCenter Summer ArtsCamps typically opens a few months before the camp starts. However, specific dates can vary each year. Please check our website regularly or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on registration opening dates.

Can younger students sign up for older level camps?

Our camps are designed with age-specific activities and learning goals to ensure an enriching and age-appropriate experience for all participants. As such, we generally encourage students to sign up for the camps that align with their age group. However, we understand that some younger students may have advanced skills or a mature focus. If you believe your child would benefit from an older level camp, please reach out to us to discuss this possibility.

How quickly will camps fill up?

The number of available spots in our camps is limited to ensure a high-quality, personalized experience for each camper. As a result, our camps tend to fill up quickly. We recommend registering as early as possible to secure a place. Please note that registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Stay tuned to our website or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on registration dates and availability.

When does the camp take place?

Our one-week camps run from (AM) . Mix and match half-day camps to suit your schedule or create a full-day camp experience based on your camper’s interests.

What are the pick-up and drop-off times?

Drop off times are AM: 8:45-9:00 or PM:12:00-1:00, and pick-up times are AM 12:00-:100 or PM: 4:00-4:15 We also offer before and after care for an additional fee.

How much does the camp cost?

Please check our ArtsCamp registration portal for the latest options and costs.

How can I support the ArtsCamp Program?

To the ArtsCenter patrons and guests wishing to give to support our Youth Education programs – please check out our Amazon Wish List! We also accept donations of used items in good condition. Please bring any and all of these materials during our business hours. We are happy to provide the appropriate tax documents and appreciate your support of The ArtsCenter!