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Summer 2023 Free Arts Education for Young People

Every year Side Street Studio Arts has the pleasure of hosting children of varying ages for summer arts education programs. Each week the young artists create work around that week's theme and also enjoy some fun in the sun with fellow young artists!

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Side Street runs its own programming and partners with School District U-46 to bring art to an even larger community.

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Side Street is thrilled to offer all programming free of charge for those located within 10 miles of our downtown Elgin location. We hope that this allows for even more young artists to find their creative voice through exploration.

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We are thrilled to continue this free programming in 2023. This has been a dream of ours since opening Side Street in 2013. These classes are absolutely free of cost to families in our area. If you are able to support this programming with any size donation, please visit us HERE.

All of the programming we offer is interdisciplinary and involves both visual and performing art. The classes are held by professional artist-educators who coordinate days filled with art-making, exploration, and fun!

All snacks and supplies will be provided! If your child is registered for both morning and afternoon camps, lunch will be provided.

We are also excited to be able to offer transportation assistance. When you register you will be asked if you would like to be contacted about arranging transportation to and from camp. There will be a small fee for those registered in Side Street programming. 

Below you can see the schedule for each week's theme for both the Side Street programming and U46.

SSSA Schedule

Grades K-6

June  5-10

Under the Sea, 9 am-Noon

This class will focus on sea creatures, the ocean and beach, and all things aquatic, creating artworks exploring the world under the sea.

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June 12-16

Dino Week 9 am-Noon

Young artists will focus on artwork inspired by creatures and habitats from Earth’s prehistoric eras.

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June 20-23

Make and Impression, 9 am-Noon

Artists will focus on mediums that imprint and leave an impression, including photography, printmaking, and short film.

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June 26-30

Americana Jubilee, 9 am-Noon

a celebration of this history and future of uniquely American art forms.

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July 10-14

K-6: Lost in Space, 9 am-Noon

Inspired by space exploration and science, young artists will draw inspiration from the final frontier to create artwork that is out of this world!

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July 17-21

Step into the Spotlight, 9 am-Noon

Focusing on performance, young artist will create original stories, build sets, and direct their own work

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July 24-28

K-6: Animation and Video Game Art, 9 am-Noon

Young artists will create artwork inspired by several styles of animation, as well as styles based off of video game characters and design.

Grades 7-12

June  5-10

The art of Painting, 10 am-Noon

Artists will work closely with instructors to learn about various painting techniques as well as understanding different paint materials.

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June 12-16

Going Green, Mon:10 am-Noon | Tues-Fri:10am-1pm

This week will focus on environmental art and artists will learn how art takes an important part in environmental preservation.

Going Green: Monday held at SSSA, Tues-Fri held at Spring Bird

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June 20-23

Photography and Video Art, 10 am-Noon

Artists will experiment with different methods of photography and learn the basics of video art, ranging from experimental video to online trends.

 

June 26-30

Installation Art, 10 am-Noon

Artists will have an entire week to develop an installation and learn how art can take up space in an exhibition setting

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July 10-14

Identity: This is me!, 10 am-Noon

Artists will explore different parts of their identity and how it can be represented through different mediums of art. 

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July 17-21

Motivated by Music, 10 am-Noon

This week will be a combination of basic music instruction as well as how it can be depicted with visual art. 

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July 24-28

Animation and Video Game Art, 10 am-Noon

Artists will learn about the variations of animation styles as well as learn how to develop Original Characters. 

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Click here to learn more about Spring Bird!

U46 Schedule

Morning classes will be Monday - Friday

Afternoon classes will be Monday - Thursday

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June  5-10

All grades: Under the Sea

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

This class will focus on sea creatures, the ocean and beach, and all things aquatic, creating artworks exploring the world under the sea.

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June 12-16

All grades: Dino Week

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

Young artists will focus on artwork inspired by creatures and habitats from Earth’s prehistoric eras.

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June 20-23

All grades: Make and Impression

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

Artists will focus on mediums that imprint and leave an impression, including photography, printmaking, and short film.

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June 26- 30

All grades: Americana Jubilee

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

a celebration of this history and future of uniquely American art forms.

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July 5-7

All grades: Around the World

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

Young artists will explore different art styles and techniques from several cultures and learn how they influence artists today.

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July 10-14

All grades: Lost in Space

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

Inspired by space exploration and science, young artists will draw inspiration from the final frontier to create artwork that is out of this world!

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July 17-21

All grades: Step into the Spotlight

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

Focusing on performance, young artist will create original stories, build sets, and direct their own work.

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July 24-28

All grades: Animation and Video Game Art

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

Young artists will create artwork inspired by several styles of animation, as well as styles based off of video game characters and design.

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July 30- August 4

All grades: Fairytale Fun

Morning: 9am - Noon | Afternoon: 1pm-5pm

Focusing on fairy tales and literature, young artists will create their own story with mixed media.

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Registration

Side Street Studio Arts Programming and School District U46 programming operate slightly differently. Please ensure you are enrolling your child in the correct program. You may sign up for both programs if you would like. If you enroll your child in both they are welcome to bring a lunch and stay onsite from noon-1 pm between sessions. 

 

If you have any questions or if you need Spanish language assistance please email ivette@sidestreetstudioarts.org

Si tiene alguna pregunta o si necesita asistencia en español, envíe un correo electrónico ivette@sidestreetstudioarts.org

Not able to join a class you wanted? Join the waitlist!

This year we are creating the option to be added to a waitlist for classes that have already filled up. Fill out the correct form below and you will be contacted if a space opens up for the session you have requested.

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