Develop your creativity this summer! Taking place at both ICA North in Encinitas and ICA Central in Balboa Park, our summer art camp is designed to promote mental health and inspire creativity.
Young artists will explore art making with a variety of supplies, acquire new skills by expanding on their art making techniques, and continue to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities under the guidance of a teaching artist during each of our one-of-a-kind week of project-based camps. At the end of week, young visiting artists will have the opportunity to showcase their art work at the weekly student art exhibition!
Scholarships available!
ICA North camp available for registration beginning December 6! ICA Central camp available for registration beginning March 1. Before March 1, please fill out our interest form here in order to help us plan for camp accordingly!
Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 2 PM
Aftercare (additional): 2 – 3 PM
1-week sessions, running from June 16 – August 1
All summer sessions run for 1 week, except:
Teen Summer Portfolio Intensive: 2 weeks, July 14 – 25
ICA Family Memberships and above save 10% – Use ICAFAMILYMEMBER code.
If you are not an ICA member, you can sign up here!
10% discount for sign-ups in December! Use SUMMER25! code.
Purchase 2 or more camps and save an additional 5% each – Use MULTICAMP code
Discounts can be combined. Apply discount codes at the bottom of your shopping bag page before checkout.
1439 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101
Summer Art Camps at ICA San Diego / Central in Balboa Park include access to partner museums and time outdoors enjoying the park. Please click on the (+) sign to choose a week and then click register here.
Week 1: June 16 - 20 / No camp June 19
Art in Nature!
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Dates: June 16, 17, 18, 20 (Skips 6/19, Juneteenth)
Young artists will embark on an exciting adventure into the great outdoors!
Through imaginative projects and hands-on activities, children will discover the beauty of nature while creating vibrant art inspired by flowers, trees, and wildlife.
Each day will be filled with exploration, creativity, and fun as we celebrate the wonders of the natural world!
Week 3: July 7 - 11
Season of Color
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Dates: July 7 – 11
Campers will explore how colors can express feelings! Through engaging activities and creative projects, young artists will learn to connect their emotions to colors while painting, drawing, and crafting.
Join us for a colorful journey of self-expression and discovery as we celebrate the beautiful
spectrum of feelings!
Week 5: July 21 - 25
Colors of Emotion
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Dates: July 21 – 25
Jump into the vibrant world of Colors of Emotions!
Campers will explore how colors can express feelings! Through engaging activities and creative projects, young artists will learn to connect their emotions to colors while painting, drawing, and crafting.
Join us for a colorful journey of self-expression and discovery as we celebrate the beautiful spectrum of feelings!
Week 6: July 28 - August 1
Space Odyssey
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Dates: July 28 – August 1
Blast off into creativity where young astronauts will explore the cosmos through art!
This week’s campers will create stellar masterpieces inspired by planets, stars, and galaxies, using a variety of fun materials and techniques.
Join us for a journey filled with imagination as we travel to infinity and beyond!
Week 2: June 23 - 27
Art in Motion
Ages: 8-10 years old
Dates: June 23 – 27
Let’s get moving at this week’s Art in Motion Camp, where creativity and activity collide!
Campers will explore dynamic art forms, from kinetic sculptures to vibrant dance-inspired paintings, all while making new friends.
Join us for an exciting summer of creating, moving, and expressing yourself like never before!
Week 4: July 14 - 18
Mixed Media Drawing
Ages: 11-13 and 14-17 years old
Dates: July 14 – 18
Participants will blend vibrant drawing techniques using cross hatching, line, and perspective drawing and more with hands-on clay creations, crafting everything from imaginative sculptures to stunning drawings.
Join us for a whirlwind of color, texture, and artistic fun that will leave you inspired and ready to show off your unique masterpieces.
1550 S El Camino Real Encinitas, CA 92024
Summer Art Camp at our North location in Encinitas includes access to our 6-acre property including our beautiful garden and Sculpture Trail hikes. Please click on the (+) sign to choose a week and then click register here.
Week 1: June 16 - 20 / No camp June 19
Art Wearables
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Dates: June 16, 17, 18, 20 (Skip 6/19, Juneteenth)
Join us for the Art Wearables Camp, where creativity knows no bounds! Campers will use their imaginations as they design and decorate their very own wearable masterpieces, from funky hats to dazzling accessories.
Get ready for a week of fun, friendship, and fashion in a colorful world of art!
Week 2: June 23 - 27
Nature Explorers
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Dates: June 23 – 27
Young artists will embark on an exciting adventure into the great outdoors!
Through imaginative projects and hands-on activities, children will discover the beauty of nature while creating vibrant art inspired by flowers, trees, and wildlife.
Each day will be filled with exploration, creativity, and fun as we celebrate the wonders of the natural world!
Week 3: July 7 - 11
Space Odyssey
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Date: July 7 – 11
Blast off into creativity where young astronauts will explore the cosmos through art!
This week’s campers will create stellar masterpieces inspired by planets, stars, and galaxies, using a variety of fun materials and techniques.
Join us for a journey filled with imagination as we travel to infinity and beyond!
Week 4: July 14 - 18
Colors of Emotion
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Date: July 14 – 18
Jump into the vibrant world of Colors of Emotions!
Campers will explore how colors can express feelings! Through engaging activities and creative projects, young artists will learn to connect their emotions to colors while painting, drawing, and crafting.
Join us for a colorful journey of self-expression and discovery as we celebrate the beautiful spectrum of feelings!
Week 5: July 21 - 25
Under the Sea
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Date: July 21 – 25
Make a splash at this weeks Under the Sea! Camp week!
Young artists will dive into a world of colorful fish, friendly dolphins, and shimmering mermaids as they create amazing ocean-themed art.
Join us for a wave of fun, where imagination can swim wild in a sea of creativity!
Week 6: July 28 - August 1
Animal Kingdom
Ages: 5 – 7 years old
Date: July 28 – August 1
Roar into creativity at this week’s Animal Kingdom camp!
Join us on a wild adventure as we explore the amazing animals of our world through art, as we make everything from fuzzy friends to colorful critters.
Get ready for a paws-itively fun time filled with laughter, learning, and lots of creative inspiration!
Week 1: June 16 - 20
Art in Motion
Ages: 8-10 years old
Dates: June 16, 17, 18, 20 (Skips 6/19, Juneteenth)
Let’s get moving at this week’s Art in Motion Camp, where creativity and activity collide!
Campers will explore dynamic art forms, from kinetic sculptures to vibrant dance-inspired paintings, all while making new friends.
Join us for an exciting summer of creating, moving, and expressing yourself like never before!
Week 2: June 23 - 27
Art Time Travelers
Ages: 8-10 years old
Dates: June 23 – 27
Journey through different eras and cultures as you create art inspired by ancient civilizations, the Renaissance, and modern masterpieces.
Join us for a fun-filled adventure where each day brings new techniques and styles to explore—let’s make history come alive with our creativity!
Week 3: July 7 - 11
Mixed Media Madness
Ages: 8-10 years old
Date: July 7 – 11
Unleash creativity with: Mixed Media Madness!
Campers will be immersed into a whirlwind of colors, textures, and techniques as they combine paint, collage, and even found objects to create unique masterpieces.
Get ready for an exciting week of artistic exploration where your imagination knows no bounds—let’s get messy and make some magic!
Week 4: July 14 - 18
Storytelling through Art
Ages: 8-10 years old
Date: July 14 – 18
Let loose your Imaginationand create vibrant characters! Campers dream up magical worlds and bring them to life using paint, clay, and more, transforming stories into stunning masterpieces.
Get ready for a fun-filled adventure where every brushstroke brings a tale to life! 🎨✨
Register Here!
Week 5: July 21 - 25
Cultural Celebrations
Ages: 8-10 years old
Date: July 21 – 25
Celebrate the world’s colors at this week’s summer art camp! Campers will explore diverse cultures through art, crafting vibrant projects inspired by festivals, traditions, and stories from around the globe. Join us for a joyful journey of creativity, where every day is a new celebration!
Register Here!
Week 6: July 28 - August 1
Eco-Art Upcycling
Ages: 8-10 years old
Date: July 28 – August 1
Campers will transform everyday trash into treasure!
Through thoughtful projects and imaginative play, campers will discover the magic of recycling while crafting colorful art pieces that tell a story.
Get ready to reimagine creativity and make a positive impact on the planet—one masterpiece at a time!
Week 1: June 16 - 20 / No camp June 19
Mixed Media Drawing + Ceramics
Ages: 11-13
Dates: June 16, 17, 18, 20 (Skips 6/19, Juneteenth)
Unleash your creativity at our Mixed Media Drawing + Ceramics Camp!
Participants will blend vibrant drawing techniques using cross hatching, line, and perspective drawing and more with hands-on clay creations, crafting everything from imaginative sculptures to stunning drawings.
Join us for a whirlwind of color, texture, and artistic fun that will leave you inspired and ready to show off your unique masterpieces!
Week 2: June 23 - 27
Textile Arts + Ceramics
Ages: 11-13
Dates: June 23 – 27
Get ready to stitch and sculpt at our Textile Arts + Ceramics week!
Participants will dive into the colorful world of fabric and clay! Young artists will create everything from funky textile crafts to beautiful ceramic pieces, blending techniques to make truly unique works of art. Join us for a summer of creativity, hands-on fun, and the chance to show off your one-of-a-kind creations!
Week 3: July 7 - 11
Building Kinetic Sculptures + Ceramics
Ages: 11-13
Date: July 7 – 11
Get ready to bring art to life at our Building Kinetic Sculptures + Ceramics week, participants will design dynamic sculptures that spin, sway, and dance while also creating stunning ceramic pieces to complement their work. Join us for a summer filled with creativity, engineering, and a whole lot of fun as we turn art into action!
Register Here!
Week 6: July 28 - August 1
Mixed Media Sculpture + Ceramics
Ages: 11-13
Date: July 28 – August 1
Join us for an artistic adventure at our Mixed Media Sculpture + Ceramics Camp, where campers will unleash their creativity in exciting new ways! Participants will blend different materials to create stunning sculptures while crafting unique ceramic pieces that showcase their personal style. Get ready for hands-on fun, imagination, and collaboration as you build extraordinary works of art!
Register Here!
Teen Summer Portfolio Intensive (2 weeks)
Teen Summer Portfolio Intensive
Ages: 14-17 years old
Dates: July 14 – 25
The ICA San Diego’s Teen Art Portfolio Intensive is an immersive 2 -week, skill-building program designed to help high school students create a dynamic, professional art portfolio. Over the course of the intensive, students will explore various mediums, meet with school recruiters, and receiving personalized guidance from experienced instructors and ICA staff. Through hands-on projects, critiques, and exposure to contemporary art practices, participants will refine their technical abilities and artistic vision. By the end of the program, students will have a well-rounded portfolio ready for college applications, art competitions, or future artistic endeavors.
Requirements:
Must have access to a laptop for the duration of the Intensive.
