INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Arts for Lawrence is offering a full-day summer camp that lets kids explore both visual and performing arts on the Fort Ben Cultural Campus in Lawrence.
Summer Art Camp is open to children ages 6 to 13 and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting in June, according to program manager Lecia Floyd. Sessions are based at 8920 Otis Ave., with mornings in the Visual Arts Center and afternoons in the Theater at the Fort.
Each day is split into two parts. In the morning, campers work on visual arts projects. In the afternoon, they move into performing arts that connect to what they created earlier.
“The visual arts will kind of mimic what they’re doing in the afternoon,” Floyd said. “So, if they’re doing dance and it’s movement, they might do pendulum painting in the morning.”
During lunch, kids will spend time outside on the cultural campus, including the musical swings and other outdoor features, while staying at one central site.
Weekly themes and local partners
Each week of camp has a different focus, built around partnerships with central Indiana arts organizations.
Floyd says the mix of disciplines gives campers a chance to try different art forms while staying engaged throughout the day.
- Week 1 | June 8-12 | Theatre Week
- Week 2 | June 15-19 | Choral Week
- Week 3 | June 22-26 | Dance Week
- Week 4 | July 6-10 | Music Week
Confidence, curiosity, and a final performance
Floyd says one of the biggest benefits of the camp is the way it can change how kids see themselves.
“We have campers that come on Monday, and they’re super shy,” she said. “By the end of the week, when they get to put on a performance, some of them are like the biggest shining stars on the stage, and they’ve come out of their shell.”
Cost, care options and scholarships
The camp costs $195 per week, including lunch. Floyd says the program is capped at about 50 campers per week.
Families can also sign up for before- and after-care for extended coverage on camp days for $50 per week.
To keep the camp accessible, Arts for Lawrence offers need-based scholarships that can cover a full week of camp for qualifying families.
How to register
Registration is open now and will remain available until each week’s slots are filled. Parents can find details on themes, dates, care options, and scholarship applications on the Arts for Lawrence website.
