The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive
A summer intensive for middle school students focusing on various visual art forms and techniques.
▌ Editor's read The Chicago Academy for the Arts' website loads successfully, detailing their Middle School Summer Visual Arts Intensive. The program is a day camp, running from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and focuses on visual arts for students entering grades 6-8. The Chicago Academy for the Arts itself is a private high school dedicated to the arts, suggesting a strong foundation in arts education. Google reviews for The Chicago Academy for the Arts show a rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with parents praising the quality of instruction and the supportive environment. The website does not mention ACA accreditation or specific staff-to-camper ratios. Social media handles for the main institution are @chicagoacademyforthearts on Instagram and chicagoacademyforthearts on Facebook.
Who thrives here Ages 11–14
The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. arts programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Day camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- Not listed
- Operator
- School program
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Money & Policies
- Financial aid
- Available
Apply →
We do not offer scholarships for the Middle School Programs but do offer seasonal discounts. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see what we’re offering.
- Session lengths
- 5-day (full week) · 10-day
- What campers take home
- Students in 2D Animation and Film & Photography will have a screening of their projects. Creative Writing students will have a showcase. Songwriting students will create, record, and perform an EP of three original songs.
Details
- Category: Arts
- Ages: 11–14
- Hours: Not mentioned
- Address: 1015 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
- Phone: (312) 421-0202
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Two-week intensive (June 8-18) costs $550.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: Yes
- Setting: indoor
Frequently asked about The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive
- What ages does The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive accept?
- The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive is open to children ages 11–14. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive cost?
- The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive publishes $275/week for the standard session. That sits 39% below the $450 median for arts camps in Chicago, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. Two-week intensive (June 8-18) costs $550. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive's hours?
- The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive runs Not mentioned. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive?
- The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive is operated by a school program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive provide lunch?
- The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- Does The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive offer financial aid?
- Yes — The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
- How does The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive compare to other arts camps in Chicago?
- The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive is one of 14 arts camps in Chicago that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare The Chicago Academy for the Arts - Summer Visual Arts Intensive with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Arts and performing arts camps guide · Compare portfolio, rehearsal, show, and creative fit.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
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