The QMA Big Time Summer Art Thing For Kids, the best summer arts camp in the city, is back! And not only that, they’ve also added a brand new architecture program to the summer line-up. Each summer the Queens Museum of Art invites aspiring young artists to participate in a one of a kind camp experience that explores ideas in art-making within the unique setting of the museum’s galleries and studios.

Part art gym, part creative laboratory, activities are designed to foster children’s knowledge of traditional art making skills, while also giving them an opportunity to experiment with new and innovative forms of creative expression. In addition to taking full advantage of all the resources the museum has to offer, young artists in residence will have Flushing Meadows Corona Park right at their doorstep and will frequently venture outdoors in excursions to the Queens Zoo and the Queens Botanical Garden.

The QMA Big Time Summer Art Thing for Kids is managed by three full-time QMA teaching artists, accompanied by a support staff of gifted art students from the museum’s Queens Teens program and Studio in a School’s Arts intern.

Four different programs are offered between the second week of July and mid-August. All programs are open to children ages 6–10, except for Project Architecture which is open to children ages 10–14. Each Program runs Monday through Friday 9 am–4 pm. Lunch and drinks are not provided, however snacks are supplied.

Program Dates and Themes:

Session I: It’s Wonderstruck!
July 9–20
Ages 6–10
$500 for two weeks

Taking inspiration from Brian Selznick’s book Wonderstruck that features the museum’s very own Panorama of the City of New York, kids learn how to combine words and pictures to make exciting books of their very own.

Session II: Project Architecture
July 23–July 27
Ages 10–14
$300 for one week

For the aspiring architect, here’s the chance to obtain a general introduction to the field as they take on the serious project of redesigning the New York State Pavilion right next door to QMA.

Session III: Night of the Living City
July 23–August 3
Ages 6–10
$500 for two weeks

Inspired by the museum’s Panorama of the City of New York, explore the life and movement of NYC through a variety of media in 2D and 3D, including stop-motion animation.

Session IV: Holy Carnival!
August 6–17
Ages 6–10
$500 for two weeks

Inspired by the museum’s Caribbean: Crossroads of the World exhibition, explore what it takes to produce one big, giant collaborative art event with festive masks, costumes, floats and a parade, of course.

For more information, a detailed daily schedule, or to register your kids, visit queensmuseum.org