Do you have a child who needs a creative outlet? Do they like to draw, paint or play music? Look no further than Portsmouth Music and Arts Center for a fun and educational camp this summer!
Read on to find out more about Art Camps for grades 2-7 and Rock & Jazz Summer Workshops for grades 4-10.
This article is sponsored by Portsmouth Music and Arts.
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Art Camps |
PMAC Artists Summer Camp
Grades 2-7 | $375 per week
Three session options: July 6-10, July 13-17, and/or July 20-24; 9am-3pm
Traip Academy - 12 Williams Ave., Kittery, ME
Register Here: https://pmaconline.org/music-art-programs/pmac-artists-camp/
Unleash your young artist’s imagination at PMAC Artists Camp! Themed weeklong camps are packed with hands-on 2D and 3D art projects—including painting, drawing, sculpting, mixed media, and more. Each week concludes with a student art show for family and friends to celebrate!
Week 1: Nature Explorer – July 6-10, 2026
Be inspired by the beauty and complexity of nature! Nature Explorer week invites young artists into a series of outdoor-inspired projects in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media. They’ll translate their observations and imagination into creatures, landscapes, textured artworks that incorporate found objects, and more. Throughout the week, students are encouraged to follow their interests and develop a personal, artistic response to the natural world.
Week 2: All About Art – July 13-17, 2026
Get ready for a week bursting with creativity! In All About Art week, students are immersed in the colorful world of artists, art styles, and artistic techniques from around the globe. Each day, students will be introduced to different movements and artists—from bold pop art to expressive impressionism and playful abstraction—then create their own pieces in response. They’ll try out new tools and experiment with mediums such as watercolor, sculpture, paint, pastels, and mixed media.
Week 3: Magical Realms – July 20-24, 2026
Invent landscapes and creatures that don’t exist—yet! During Magical Realms week, students dive into realms of mystery and curiosities. Each day explores a new theme: enchanted forests, mythical creatures, secret dreamlands, and mysterious hidden worlds await. Students will bring their imaginative ideas to life using painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, mixed media, and unconventional art materials. Whether designing their own fantastical creatures, building miniature mystical landscapes, or illustrating stories set in these imagined realms, they are encouraged to dream boldly.
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Mission Imagination Camp
Grades 3-5 | $300
June 29 to July 2, 9am-3pm
Portsmouth Music & Arts Center - 973 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH
Register Here: https://pmaconline.org/music-art-programs/mission-imagination/
Blast off into an intergalactic art adventure! Fueled by space science and stellar imaginations, young creators will design spaceship blueprints, sculpt extraterrestrial foam puppets, capture cosmic “tourist snapshots,” and paint futuristic space-scapes as we travel through our galaxy and beyond.
Campers will bring their visions to life through both 2D and 3D projects, using a mix of traditional and innovative tools, techniques, and materials.
This camp will take place at PMAC at 973 Islington St.
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Summer Music Workshops |
Summer Rock 101
Ages 9-11 | $225
July 27-31, 9AM-12PM
Portsmouth Music & Arts Center - 973 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH
Register Here: https://pmaconline.org/music-art-programs/summer-rock-101/
Ready to rock? Summer Rock 101 is a one-week workshop where young musicians can jam with a band, learn rock essentials, and perform for family and friends! This program is all about collaboration, creativity, and having fun while making music together.
Summer Rock 101 is open to young musicians who play guitar, drum set, vocals, keyboard, bass guitar, flute, sax, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, or cello. Whether you’re picking up an instrument or looking to develop existing rock chops, this is your chance to turn up the volume and take the stage!
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Summer Teen Jazz Workshop
Ages 12-17 | July 6-10, 9AM-4PM | $400
Portsmouth Music & Arts Center - 973 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH
Register Here: https://pmaconline.org/music-art-programs/summer-teen-jazz/
Calling teen musicians! The Summer Teen Jazz Workshop is the perfect opportunity to develop your jazz skills, explore improvisation, and perform live! Designed for intermediate and advanced players—who have either played jazz or those wanting to learn jazz technique for the first time—this workshop will delve into classic and contemporary tunes.
Open to musicians with 1-2 years of experience on their primary instrument, and no audition required! Instruments: Sax, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, Keyboard, Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, and Drum Set. Rhythm Section spots are limited—register early!
Summer Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop
Ages 12-17 | $400
Two session options: July 13-17 and/or July 20-24, 9AM-4PM
Portsmouth Music & Arts Center - 973 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH
Register Here: https://pmaconline.org/music-art-programs/summer-teen-rock/
ROCK out with us in this Summer Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop! Bands are formed at the beginning of the workshop and each band will learn a tune of their choosing and write and record an original tune. Expanding beyond classic, indie and hard rock, bands will be encouraged to explore hip hop, folk, country, bluegrass, metal and more — wherever their interests lie!
The Summer Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop will conclude with a TEEN ROCK SHOW at a local music venue. Led by PMAC teaching artists, students will learn valuable skills in musicianship, teamwork, songwriting, stage presence and more!
Looking for a bass player!
Ready to rock? Summer Rock 101 is a one-week workshop where young musicians can jam with a band, learn rock essentials, and perform for family and friends! This program is all about collaboration, creativity, and having fun while making music together.
What to Expect:
šø Play and perform rock music in a band setting
š¶ Build skills in collaboration and stage presence
š„ End the week with a special sharing session for family and friends!
Who Can Join?
Open to young musicians who play guitar, drum set, vocals, keyboard, bass guitar, flute, sax, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, or cello.
Whether you’re picking up an instrument or looking to develop existing rock chops, this is your chance to turn up the volume and take the stage!
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