18 Pittsburgh-area summer camps for arts-loving kids

Photo above courtesy of  Gemini Children’s Theater.

Many Pittsburgh-area summer camps offer a broad mix of outdoor fun, sports, STEM learning and creative arts, and you can find those in our big 2024 summer camp guide. But what if your kid would prefer to spend summer days totally focused on creating art or performing?

The lineup of 18 great local summer camps you’ll find below has you covered, from glass blowing and movie making to sewing, stage performances of all kinds and much more.

Check out what’s available:

1. The Children’s Museum

Summer camps at the Children’s Museum will host sessions for kids ages 4 through 13. Camps will run from June 10 to Aug. 16. Topics will include artmaking, storytelling, nature, game design and metalworking. Details are available now and registration opens Feb. 19 for museum members and Feb. 21 for the general public. Limited scholarships are available, with applications due by March 1. Get all the details here.

2. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Camps for Creatives are perfect for arts-focused or arts-curious kids. These popular sessions return in June with camps for everyone from 3-year-olds to high school seniors. The five-day camps concentrate on developing creative skills in topics like theater production, sewing and design, storytelling and science. Registration is now open for everything from Theatre Production Camp and Global Art Explorers to Costumes, Cosplay and Capers! camp.

3. Pittsburgh Musical Theater Conservatory

Summer Musical Theater Camp at the PMT Conservatory shines the spotlight on kids ages 4-18. The four-week camps train kids in acting, voice and dance, but also help kids build confidence, make new friendships and learn collaboration. Teens can choose from a performance, dance or technical theater/design track. Campers rehearse for a full-scale performance as a grand finale. This summer’s shows will soon be announced and registration opens soon. Financial aid and payment plans are available.

4. Cut & Sew Studio

Registration is now open for half-day summer sewing camp at Cut & Sew, located in Morningside. There are introductory classes and plenty of options for kids with more sewing experience. Find all the details here.

5. Gemini Children’s Theater

Five-day Summer Acting Workshops at Gemini Children’s Theater channel energy and talent toward the theater arts. Kids as young as 4 learn to write, rehearse and perform a play that they help develop from their imagination. Scene building, collaborating and character development apply across all age groups up to 17 years. Early bird discounts, scholarships, tuition assistance and payment plans are available — learn more here.

6. WQED Film Academy

WQED Film Academy is a youth education program in digital media arts and filmmaking. The Academy is open to all high schoolers, from rising ninth-graders up through recent high school grads. Teaching artists and professional mentors will offer a curriculum covering all aspects of digital media production, including storytelling, camera, audio, lighting and editing. Summer session dates and details should be announced soon.

7. August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s Hip-Hop Camp: Dance

The AWAACC is bringing back their Dance Camp for the third year. Led by educator Christian “JITA” Brown, this camp teaches the fundamentals of dance and highlights what makes hip-hop dance an influential style. JITA will take students ages 10 to 16 on a journey through popping, locking, and break dancing, while encouraging them to use their individual style and personality. Kids can attend some or all sessions (though attending all is recommended and rates are discounted) on June 8, June 29 and July 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Students will perform at the Center’s July Community Day on July 20. Class size will be limited to ensure all students receive proper instructions to achieve their goals. Get all the details and register here.

8. Sing Sing Sing!

Kids who love to perform can build their skills this summer at Sing Sing Sing summer camp in Wexford. Registration is now open for singing, songwriting, musical theater and more. Register here.

9. Little Lake Theatre

Budding theater stars ages 6-16 will take the stage during in-person summer camps at Little Lake Theatre. Kids with a flair for the dramatic will study improv, character movement and audition skills in Acting Camp. This summer’s superhero theme includes a production of “Hammered: A Thor & Loki Play.” Musical Theater campers will rehearse and perform roles in “The Music Man,” in a production that’s been adapted for kids. Learn more and register here.

10. Pittsburgh Glass Center

Summer intensives and teen boot camp sessions are planned this summer for grades 6–12 at Pittsburgh Glass Center. The SiO2 Teen Boot Camp, happening July 15-19, introduces the science and art of glass, offering hands-on experience with glassmaking. Sessions include glassblowing, flameworking, kilnforming and coldworking. Scholarships are available.

11. Dot and Line Art Studio

Registration for summer camp at the creative art studio Dot and Line in Mt. Lebanon will open at noon on Feb. 4. Weekly camps for kids ages 5 through 13 will run from June 24 through Aug. 9, with two half-day sections: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get details here.

12. Saltworks Theatre Company Young Actors Summer Studio

After a pandemic hiatus and a location change, Saltworks was back to hosting their weekly summer studio for young performers last year. They will hold a camp again this year and dates should be announced soon. These classes are open to student actors of ALL experience levels. After warm-ups and theater games, students will be introduced to new theatrical skills each week such as ensemble building, character development, improvisation, monologues, scene study, creative movement, and more. Kids can attend one session or all six. Check for more info here.

13. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School

Dancers of all sizes, from toddlers to teens, will find a place at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s summer sessions. Kids will develop progressive dance fundamentals through barre and floor exercises, French terminology and ballet concepts. The youngest dancers from 2 to 6 years can try summer weekend classes and All About Ballet workshops.  The most advanced dancers will be challenged by the Junior Intensive, which covers pointe, pas de deux, jazz and repertoire. Get details here.

14. Paint Monkey Summer Art Camp

Weekday summer art camp at the popular birthday party spot Paint Monkey begins on June 17. Sessions at the Paint Monkey studio at the Waterfront in Homestead run Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m.). Theme topics include famous artists, pop art and more. Click here for more information and registration.

15. Lewis Music Studio Summer Camp

Lewis Music Studio has another summer of musical fun planned, though 2024 details haven’t been posted on their website as of Feb. 1. Most camps are half-day, but families can combine two camps during the same week to create a full-day camp experience. Kids will have an hour between sessions for lunch and outdoor time. Each camp’s schedule will vary, but expect a full day filled with games, fun, music, friends, and memories. Click here to learn more.

16. Cello Fury Rock Camp

The Cello Fury Rock Camp gives young musicians a chance to play in a high-energy string rock orchestra. Registration is open for violin, viola, cello and bass players ages 7 to 17. Five-day sessions for various age groups run from June 24 through Aug. 9 at two locations: PYCO School of Music in Wexford and The Ellis School in Shadyside. Camps include masterclasses, sectionals, the musical theory game “Furyoploy,” workshops and rock orchestra. The sessions conclude with a concert for campers’ families. Get more information here.

17. Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Kids ages 4-16 can find their muse through a wide variety of mediums at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. From ceramics and watercolor to animation and graffiti, kids will find exciting ways to express their creativity. Past years included cooking classes, STEM circuitry and acting, too. Watch for the complete schedule with registration (last year it was available in mid-March). Scholarships are available.

18. Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History

Creative kids and nature lovers alike can attend a variety of week-long camps at Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History. Early registration for museum members opens Feb. 19. General registration opens on Feb. 26. Specific camp themes and dates will be available when registration opens. Financial aid is available for eligible families.

Looking for something different? Check out our big 2024 summer camp guide, which includes more than 60 camps.