Sarasota Art Museum announces 2026 Summer Camp offerings, including new digital arts component

Weekly camps encourage curiosity and creative expression through ceramics, painting, drawing, mixed media, and now digital arts

Kids creating art

Sarasota, Fla — Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is pleased to announce its lineup of 2026 Summer Arts Camp programming. Designed for young artists ages 7 to 13, Summer Camp at SAM offers week-long themed art camps filled with hands-on creative exploration across a wide range of media, from drawing and painting to ceramics and mixed media. For the first time, this year’s camp experience will also allow participants to learn and express themselves through digital arts each day. Weekly camp sessions conclude with Friday art shows in the Museum’s Community Gallery, where students have the opportunity to install their own work for family and friends, celebrating all that they’ve created and learned during their art camp experience.

“Summer is a special time here at SAM. We love to see our Museum campus come alive with the bustling of creative learning and play,” shared Virginia Shearer, executive director of Sarasota Art Museum. “It’s a joy to open up our world-class exhibitions and state-of-the-art studios to these campers as an extension of the classroom, allowing them to express their innate creativity in a professional art setting.”

For the past four years, SAM’s popular Summer Art Camp’s curriculum has gone beyond simple arts and crafts activities. Every day of camp, participants receive instruction and engage with ceramics, drawing, painting, and mixed media. This year’s addition of digital arts provides campers with even more opportunities to express themselves beyond traditional media.

“We are thrilled to be able to add digital arts to this year’s programming,” shared Connie Cuadrado, director of Learning and Engagement for Sarasota Art Museum. “Ringling College of Art and Design recognizes the ever-increasing importance of digital media in today’s creative landscape. Now, through our expanded camp curriculum, it’s exciting to bring these cutting-edge digital tools and techniques to young artists right here in our own community.”

2026 Summer Camp Weekly Themes & Schedule

  • June 1-5: Global Art Explorers – A journey exploring the universal language of pattern
  • June 8-12: Graphic Novels – The art of sequential, visual storytelling
  • June 15-19: Characters and Creatures – Fantasy characters come to life through art
  • June 22-26: Art in Motion – Exploring kinetic sculpture, animation, flip books, and more
  • June 29-July 3: The Wonder Workshop – Tackling artistic challenges with big ideas
  • July 6-10: Adventures in Nature – Nature gives us tools and inspiration for artmaking
  • July 13-17: Manga Madness – Creating expressive characters, scenes, and stories
  • July 20-24: Larger than Life – Exploring large-scale artworks that make a statement
  • July 27-31: Color Quest – Discovering how color can tell stories, show emotion, and bring art to life.

Registration and Logistics:

  • Age Range: Ages 7-13
  • Camp Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm, After Care: 3-5 pm
  • Tuition: $385 per week (Members save 10%), After Care: $50 per week

Registration is now open on SarasotaArtMuseum.org. Due to small class sizes (maximum 15 students per session), early registration is highly encouraged.

About Sarasota Art Museum

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only Museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions, dynamic programs, and enriching educational offerings, and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast, Southeast United States, and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today, SAM is home to 15,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space, where nationally touring shows, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th and 21st century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org.