SUMMER ART PROGRAM
About The Program
This summer, the New Bedford Art Museum invites young artists to take part in an 8 week creative experience designed for exploration, skill building, and artistic discovery.
Makers Playground: Summer Art Program is structured as eight individual weekly sessions, each available for separate enrollment. Families can register for one week or multiple weeks, with each session offering a unique theme and experience.
Students will explore drawing, painting, mixed media, digital illustration, and clay while engaging directly with the Museum’s exhibitions and the surrounding arts community. iPads are provided so students can learn and create using Procreate alongside traditional materials.
Each week includes a guided walking field trip to a local cultural or historic site where students sketch, observe, and collect inspiration from real world environments. These experiences will include visits to nearby museums, galleries, public art, libraries, waterfront spaces, and historic landmarks such as the New Bedford Glass Museum and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum.
Walking field trips and observational exercises encourage students to think like artists by observing, analyzing, and responding to the world around them.
Clay will be offered as a rotating feature across select weeks depending on studio availability.
By the end of each week, students will have completed multiple finished pieces, explored new materials and techniques, and strengthened their creative confidence in a supportive and engaging environment.
Dates & Info
RUNS WEEKLY
9AM - 1PM
START WEEK: July 6 - July 10
FINAL WEEK: August 24- August 28
One Week Tuition:
Non-Member- $300.00
Member- $270.00
*Weeks sold Individually*
1st - 6th Grade Students
WANT TO EXTEND THE DAY?
Join us for Creative Canvas Club, a fun and welcoming series designed for young artists who are new to painting or looking to build their skills. Led by artist Devin McLaughlin, this beginner-focused class encourages creativity, exploration, and confidence through paint.
Creative Canvas Club can serve as an extended day option for families enrolled in the Museum’s Makers Playground: Kids Summer Art Program.
Summer Program Weekly Themes
Week 1 • July 6 – 10
Magical Creatures and Storybook Worlds
Students invent magical and imaginative worlds through drawing, painting, storytelling, and storybook inspired art projects.
Week 2 • July 13 – 17
Cartoon Studio and Character Creation
Students design their own cartoon characters, creatures, heroes, and villains while exploring animation inspired drawing, expressions, costume design, and digital art.
Week 3 • July 20 – 24
Treasure Maps, Murals, and City Adventures
Students explore public art, hidden treasures, architecture, and outdoor sketching through adventure themed projects inspired by the city around them.
Week 4 • July 27 – 31
Model Magic Animation Studio
Students create colorful Model Magic characters and mini worlds, then bring them to life through a fun collaborative stop motion animation project.
Week 5 • August 3 – 7
Museum Explorers
Students explore local museums through guided walking field trips, including a glowing “Night at the Museum” adventure at the Glass Museum, then create artwork inspired by their discoveries.
Week 6 • August 10 – 14
Color Explosion Painting Studio
Students explore exciting painting techniques through colorful projects focused on blending, layering, texture, brushwork, and creating bold imaginative artwork while building strong foundational painting skills.
Week 7 • August 17 – 21
Clay Wheel Throwing Intensive
Students are introduced to wheel throwing techniques and create forms while learning control, timing, and process.
Week 8 • August 24 – 28
Student Choice and Art Games Studio
Students wrap up the summer with a fun and flexible week centered on creativity, collaboration, and choice, incorporating art games, challenges, and open ended projects.