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Portsmouth Music and Arts Center

973 Islington StPortsmouth, NH 03801
Phone: 603-431-4278
Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 1PM – 7PM; Saturday: 9AM – 2:30PM; Closed SundaysEmail: info@pmaconline.orgWebsite: Visit Website Google Map

Summer 2026 at PMAC: Art, Music, and Creative Fun


Summer Camp Students With Art

Summer at PMAC is all about making something—new art, new music, and new memories. PMAC Summer 2026 brings hands-on art camps for youth, week-long music workshops for kids and teens, summer music ensembles for adults, and flexible summer private lesson options that fit busy family schedules.

Led by experienced teaching artists, PMAC summer programs invite students to explore visual art, make music with others, try new styles, and build skills in a welcoming, supportive setting. 


Tuition aid is available. Applying early for aid is recommended – March 1st is our first deadline. 


kids at art camp

Youth Art Camps (Grades 2-7)

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.

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.


kids playing guitar and drums

Youth & Teen Summer Music Workshops (Grades 4-12)

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!

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!