Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore their creativity, develop artistic skills, and express themselves in new ways. Whether your child loves painting, dancing, acting, filmmaking, or crafting, Charlottesville offers a variety of arts camps designed to engage and inspire. From hands-on workshops to immersive performing arts experiences, these camps provide a fun and enriching summer adventure for kids of all ages.
Why Arts Camps Are Great for Kids
Enrolling your child in an arts camp offers more than just fun—it provides valuable developmental benefits. Participating in creative activities helps children build problem-solving skills, boost confidence, and enhance fine motor coordination. Artistic expression also supports emotional well-being and provides a healthy outlet for self-expression. Group arts programs encourage teamwork and communication, helping children develop social skills while making new friends. Plus, engaging in the arts over the summer helps prevent the “summer slide,” keeping kids mentally engaged and inspired. You might even want to celebrate your favorite young artist with a party. See our Top Birthday Party Places for great venue ideas.
Top Arts Camps in Charlottesville
1. Charlottesville Ballet Academy
- Ages: 18 months and up
- Type: Day & Evening Camps
- Location: Charlottesville
- Description: As the official training school of the Charlottesville Ballet, the academy offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and more. Programs are available at two Charlottesville locations: 29 North and Downtown at IX.
- More Info: Charlottesville Ballet Academy
2. DMR Adventures
- Ages: Varies by program
- Type: Day Camp
- Location: Charlottesville
- Description: DMR Adventures offers performing arts camps focusing on musical theater, acting, and dance. Programs are designed to build confidence and stage presence, culminating in performances.
- More Info: DMR Adventures
3. Light House Studio
- Ages: Elementary to teens
- Type: Day Camp
- Location: Charlottesville
- Description: Light House Studio offers filmmaking camps where students learn screenwriting, directing, editing, and production. Campers collaborate to create original films, gaining hands-on experience with professional equipment.
- More Info: Light House Studio
4. Foster Art
- Ages: 5–15
- Type: Day Camp
- Location: Charlottesville
- Description: Foster Art provides teacher-led art discovery and exploration classes for children. Programs include summer camps, after-school sessions, and private lessons, focusing on various art forms to inspire creativity.
- More Info: Foster Art
5. The Art Bar
- Ages: All ages
- Type: Day Camp/Workshops
- Location: Charlottesville
- Description: The Art Bar offers drop-in arts and crafts sessions, workshops, and classes. With unique spaces like a mural room, glow room, and splatter room, it provides a creative environment for artistic exploration.
- More Info: The Art Bar
Find the Perfect Arts Camp This Summer
From ballet to filmmaking and hands-on arts and crafts, Charlottesville’s arts camps provide a fantastic way for children to learn, grow, and create this summer. Whether your child wants to build confidence on stage, develop fine motor skills through painting, or learn the magic of filmmaking, there’s a camp for every aspiring artist.
Looking for the perfect summer camp experience? Virginia Summer Camp is your guide to local day camps, sleepaway camps, and more. Don’t forget the parent’s guide to how to plan for camp and all the event details for the popular annual CharlottesvilleFamily KidFest & Camp Expo!
Keep the ideas coming: subscribe to our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag for weekly or monthly updates. And remember to support the great local partners who strengthen our community.
CharlottesvilleFamily Editors are locals who care deeply about family and community. We are almost all parents who serve alongside our readers in the PTO and band boosters, coaching sports teams, helping with school fun fairs, and more. Our insider perspective, combined with great research and expert input from our wonderful CharlottesvilleFamily Advisory Panel, helps us to provide you with trustworthy advice as you raise the next generation of brilliant and compassionate kids.