Join Summer Art Camp at the de Young this summer! At Summer Art Camp, teaching artists design opportunities for campers ages 6–12 to explore museum galleries, experiment in the art studio and adventure in Golden Gate Park. Camp takes place Monday–Friday, 9 am–3 pm, in the de Young galleries and studios. Aftercare is available 3–5:30 pm. Children are grouped according to age: Apprentices (6 to 7 years old), Artisans (8 to 9 years old), and Masters (10 to 12 years old). Summer Art Camp sessions take place weekly, from June 15 through August 7, 2020.

Registration will open Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 12:30 pm. Mark your calendar, as we expect camp to sell out quickly.

Weekly themes

Week 1: June 15–19
Exploring the World: Curiosity will be the guide as campers explore our collections of art from Africa and Oceania, and by native peoples of the Americas. Campers will learn about the traditions and practices of art around the world.

Week 2: June 22–26
Shaping Stories: Campers will read visual stories in art from across the collections though observation and storytelling in the galleries. In the studio campers will investigate the ways narratives can be told in different artistic practices through symbol, sequence and character. 

Week 3: July 6–10
Sculptacular: Form, connect, bend, and build. Campers will visit inspiring spaces inside and outside the museum—including the galleries, the outdoor sculpture garden, and the surrounding park—to investigate how artists design and create sculpture in many ways. In the studio, the young artists will experiment with various media to construct their own three-dimensional works.

Week 4: July 13–17
Animals and Environment: Campers will create using many different materials to explore animals and their habitats. They will search for inspiration both inside and outside the de Young as they study animal themes in the museum’s artworks and in the surrounding Golden Gate Park.

Week 5: July 20–24
Exploring the World: Curiosity will be the guide as campers explore our collections of art from Africa and Oceania, and by native peoples of the Americas. Campers will learn about the traditions and practices of art around the world.

Week 6: July 27–31
Shaping Stories: Campers will read visual stories in art from across the collections though observation and storytelling in the galleries. In the studio campers will investigate the ways narratives can be told in different artistic practices through symbol, sequence and character. 

Week 7: August 3–7
Mix it up: Mixed Media: Campers will investigate the museum’s collections to learn about the diverse materials and methods used by artists. Back in the studio, campers will experiment with a range of materials to build their skills and confidence to make mistakes and take risks with new artistic processes.

Prices per week 2020

General: $440 day camp 9 am–3 pm | $175 aftercare 3–5:30 pm

Family Members: $396 day camp 9 am–3 pm | $157.50 aftercare 3–5:30 pm

Scholarships are available for all Family Programs. Applications for Summer Art Camp scholarships can be made through the scholarship request form. Scholarship requests will be accepted until January 31, 2020. You will be notified of your application status by February 7th, 2020.

Member Discount

Members at the Family level and above receive a discount of 10 percent on summer camp programs. To upgrade, renew, or purchase a Family membership, please call 415.750.3636.

Additional Information

Questions? Email families@famsf.org.