SummerART Camps at the MAM School of Art

Creative summer days. Messy Hands Welcome!

SummerART, part of the MAM School of Art, offers two-week summer art camps for children and teens led by professional teaching artists in a supportive museum setting. Campers work across a range of materials and techniques, draw inspiration from the galleries, and share their work in a culminating exhibition.

What Makes SummerART Different

Taught by professional artists and educators with deep experience working with young people
Real museum access — campers explore galleries and draw inspiration from exhibitions
Process-focused learning that builds confidence, creativity, and critical thinking
Inclusive and supportive environment for a wide range of learning styles and abilities
End-of-session exhibition where families celebrate campers’ work

🎨Click here to view the SummerART 2026 Program Brochure.

Browse Camps by Age:		Browse Camps by Session:
Kids 6–8 ➜		Session 1: June 29 – July 10* ➜ *No camp Friday, July 3
Kids 9–12 ➜		Session 2: July 13 – July 24 ➜
Teens 13–17 ➜		Session 3: July 27 – August 7 ➜
		Session 4: August 10 – August 21 ➜

Interested in joining the SummerART team as a Counselor? 👉Click here to learn more about open positions.

See Inside Our SummerART Camp

FAQ: General

When does registration open for the 2026 SummerART session?

Priority registration opens for MAM family-level and above members on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Public registration opens a week later, on Monday, February 2, 2026.

What is the summer schedule and how long is each camp session?

Sessions are two weeks long. There are four sessions throughout the summer.

Session 1: June 29–July 10 (no camp on Friday, July3)
Session 2: July 13–24
Session 3: July 27–August 7
Session 4: August 10–21

Why is SummerART scheduled in two-week sessions?

Our two-week sessions allow:

Time to explore a theme or artistic medium in depth
Build social skills 
Opportunities to develop friendships

How can I apply to be a summer counselor?

SummerART Lead Counselors must be at least 16 years old and have prior experience as a camp counselor or equivalent position. Volunteer Counselor-in-Training (CIT) positions are available to ages 15+.

All SummerART Lead Counselors and CITs are required to attend a Counselor Training Session before camp begins.

Applications close on April 30, 2026

SummerART Lead Counselor Application

SummerART Volunteer Counselor-in-Training Application

To learn more about open counselor positions, visit our SummerART Counselor page here.

FAQ: Programmatic

Do full-day campers get breaks?

Full-day campers will get breaks from class throughout the day, including: 

Outdoor activities and games facilitated by SummerART staff
Snack breaks
Recess with counselor-led games and free activities

Campers are encouraged to play, socialize, and nurture friendships with one another throughout the course of camp, both inside and outside the studio.

Will my camper visit the Museum galleries during their camp session?

Campers in our Full-Day Studio Art Camps receive guided gallery tours of current Museum exhibitions.

Will my child get an opportunity to exhibit the work they created during camp? 

The final day of each camp session features an exhibition and reception where campers can showcase their artwork and celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends. 

What is your camp program philosophy?

At the Montclair Art Museum, we care about your child and invite them to cultivate creativity, self-expression, personal growth, and friendships with us! All SummerART programs are taught by professional teaching artists and are designed to foster a nurturing and inclusive environment.

Can my child with a disability attend the camp?

Our studio classrooms are accessible, inclusive, and supportive learning environments where differences are celebrated and creative thinking is encouraged. 
We work closely with you and your camper to identify any accommodations we can make to support their physical, neurological, or cognitive needs, and create the best possible camp experience. 
Instructors and counselors receive training on working with campers with disabilities, and we have an accessibility specialist on staff.

FAQ: Logistics

Does MAM have parking for pick-up and drop-off?

Drop off and pick-up is easy at SummerART. There is ample reserved parking for SummerArt drop-off and pick-up.

What is MAM’s health and safety policy?

Camp and security staff are certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED. 
Emergency contact forms are required to be completed so we know about any medical or special needs in advance of the first day of camp and are prepared to meet your child’s needs.
We will not administer medication.
We do not have a nurse on staff but camp and security staff are certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED. In the case of an emergency, we will call 911.
Staff will remain in close communication with families and caregivers should a health need arise.

All full-day campers must bring a lunch. 
Campers will NOT have access to a refrigerator or microwave at camp.

In an effort to make our spaces safe for children with allergies, our camps and classes have a strict no-nut policy, including peanuts, almonds, and other tree nuts.

Do you offer scholarships?

We offer a variety of scholarships based on financial needs, merit, disabilities, and special needs.
Scholarship forms can be found here.

What is your refund policy?

Full refunds will be provided if a class, workshop, or camp does not meet minimum enrollment and is canceled. All other refunds are subject to a nonrefundable $25 administrative fee.
Classes and Workshops: Tuition for classes and workshops will be refunded if notice of withdrawal is provided at least 14 days prior to the start date of the semester or date of workshop. If notice of withdrawal to a class or workshop is given less than 14 days prior to the start of the semester or date of workshop, students will receive a 50% refund, less the $25 administrative fee.  No refunds will be given after the start date of class for which you are enrolled.
Camps, including SummerART: Tuition will be refunded if notice of withdrawal is provided at least 30 days prior to start date of the camp session from which you are withdrawing. If notice of withdrawal is given less than 30 days prior to the start date of the camp from which you are withdrawing, you will receive a 50% refund, less the $25 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after the start date of the session for which you are enrolled.
The $25 administrative fee and Museum membership are non-refundable.

SummerART