Booking

Kids Camps (Age 5 to 12 years)

You won’t find a more enlightening — and inspirational — environment than the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts! From gallery talks and tours to art classes, seminars, teacher programs, and family fun, the museum offers a variety of learning experiences for every age and every interest.

Specials

VMFA Members enjoy discounts on many of our classes and programs. Click here for more information.

Summer Camp

[C25] Visual Journaling (Ages 10–12)

Mon–Fri, Jul 27–31, 1–4 pm

Ages 10–12 | Create an artistic journal as a vehicle for self-expression! Incorporate graphic illustration, mixed media, and creative writing techniques to transform a sketchbook into a personal space for collecting ideas and developing original designs.

Instructor: Lauren Bleam

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[C26] Studio Celebrations (Ages 5–6)

Mon–Fri, Aug 3–7, 9 am–noon

Ages 5–6 | Embark on a global adventure where each day brings a new celebration! Explore diverse cultures through their art to experience the beauty of holidays around the world. Then, make your own vibrant and festive creations!

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

[C27] Art without Limits (Ages 10–12)

Mon–Fri, Aug 3–7, 9 am–noon

Ages 10–12 | Explore how artists generate ideas through hands-on experimentation with drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Use the museum’s collection as inspiration to brainstorm, play, and turn imaginative ideas into original artworks.

Instructor: Lindsay Steele

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[C28] Arty Explorations (Ages 5–6)

Mon–Fri, Aug 3–7, 1–4 pm

Ages 5–6 | Spark imagination through exploratory painting, mixed-media creations, gallery getaways, and constructive play! Favorite themes such as animals and the outdoors inspire innovative processes and projects that nurture fine motor skills and a lifelong love of art.

Instructor: Takeshi Ellis

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[C29] STEAM Dream (Ages 7–9)

Mon–Fri, Aug 3–7, 1–4 pm

Ages 7–9 | If you can dream it, you can “STEAM” it! Integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics to construct creative innovations. Focus on three-dimensional objects in the museum to inspire a new building challenge each day.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

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[C30] Sculpture & Design (Ages 10–12)

Mon–Fri, Aug 3–7, 1–4 pm

Ages 10–12 | Discover three-dimensional art and sculpture through engaging gallery adventures and studio explorations. Using air-dry clay and other sculptural materials, delve into fun and creative art making designed to foster artistic growth, dexterity, and ingenuity.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

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[C31] Art in Motion (Ages 5–6)

Mon–Fri, Aug 10–14, 9 am–noon

Ages 5–6 | From Art Olympics to action painting, engage in activities and art projects that get you moving and grooving! Note: This camp is extra fun and messy, so please wear old clothes and shoes.

Instructor: Alex Parrish

[C32] Parks & Projects (Ages 7–9)

Mon–Fri, Aug 10–14, 9 am–noon

Ages 7–9 | Embark on a cross-country trip through time! Connect art and nature through US history and our National Parks. Learn about Indigenous
American heritage and natural resources while making your own multimedia works inspired by the journey.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

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[C33] Habitat Explorers (Ages 5–6)

Mon–Fri, Aug 10–14, 1–4 pm

Ages 5–6 | Explore the cultural significance, wildlife, and ecosystems of National Parks right here in the museum. Become inspired by park landscapes
and animals to create your own multimedia artwork all about nature and furry friends in their happy habitats.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

[C34] Museum Art Quest (Ages 7–9)

Mon–Fri, Aug 10–14, 1–4 pm

Ages 7–9 | Venture through the galleries for different animals, objects, and people in art. Each day brings new art-making challenges, role-playing games, and museum quests. What mysteries will you uncover?

Instructor: Kassidy Strosnider

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[C35] Intro to Manga (Ages 10–12)

Mon–Fri, Aug 10–14, 1–4 pm

Ages 10–12 | Become familiar with the history and visual language of Manga, a Japanese drawing style popular in comics and graphic novels. Through presentations, tutorials, and step by-step drawing exercises, learn the specific
techniques that define the art of Manga.

Instructor: Anh Do

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[C36] Elements of Drawing (Ages 7–9)

Mon–Fri, Aug 17–21, 9 am–noon

Ages 7–9 | Sharpen your proficiency (and your pencils) in this illustrated adventure! Explore different drawing tools, media, and elements of art while
finding creative ways to practice techniques such as mark making, tonal value, and perspective.

Instructor: Ivy Walbert

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[C37] Pet Portraits (Ages 10–12)

Mon–Fri, Aug 17–21, 9 am–noon

Ages 10–12 | Whether you have pets or simply adore animals, enjoy learning how to draw and paint portraits that capture their wild personalities. Focus on proportion, color mixing, and textures while exploring realistic and expressive painting styles.

Instructor: Catherine Purdy

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[C38] Imagination Station (Ages 5–6)

Mon–Fri, Aug 17–21, 1–4 pm

Ages 5–6 | Let your imagination run free while exploring the galleries and great outdoors. With an emphasis on bugs and insects, immerse yourself in storytelling, music, movement exercises, field investigations, and, best of all, art! Inspired by tiny creatures, create artwork using natural materials, air-dry clay, and other sculptural media.

Instructor: Jaffray Witherow

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[C39] Animals in Art (Ages 7–9)

Mon–Fri, Aug 17–21, 1–4 pm

Ages 7–9 | See how famous artists depict their furry friends! Try your hand at painting, printing, and sculpting portraits of animals, focusing on proportion, composition, and your subjects’ wonderfully unique features.

Instructor: Catherine Purdy

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[C40] Stitch it Up (Ages 10–12)

Mon–Fri, Aug 17–21, 1–4 pm

Ages 10–12 | Unravel the art of embroidery! Learn a variety of basic stitches and hand-sewing techniques to create unique projects such as designs in hoops, embroidered cards, and custom pillows. Improve your proficiency with every thread.

Instructor: Lauren Bleam

[W1] Connect-a-Camp (Ages 5–12)

Mon–Fri, Jun 29–Jul 3

Ages 5–12 | Designed for students attending back-to-back camps during the same week, this program provides additional supervision from noon–1 pm for a full-day experience. Led by experienced educators, students will have time for lunch and daily activities such as gallery tours, art projects, games, outdoor play, and free time to relax and socialize. Students must bring a bag lunch from home. Please avoid packing common food allergens such as peanuts and peanut products.