Danforth School Summer Arts 2026

GIVE ME

SPACE

Summer Arts 2026

A studio art program for grades K-12

Give me space!

Want to soar through outer space and paint the stars?

Or maybe you’d rather design your own play space or dream up a cozy thinking space where creativity comes alive!

Join us for a summer full of color, imagination, and art-making as we discover all the amazing ways to make—and find—

SPACE!

Program at a glance •

Weeklong, full-day art classes inspired by weekly themes for children in grades K-5, and specific materials & methods for children in grades 6-8

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Weeklong immersive classes in relevant media for teens in grades 9-12

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Convenient curbside dropoff/pickup

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Studio assistants to support learning

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AM and PM Extended Day available for an additional fee

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Reduced class sizes, spacious studios

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Student artwork exhibits each Friday

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Weekly tours of the Danforth Art Museum

Summer Arts at Danforth is different... because we specialize in offering the highest quality studio art experiences taught by dynamic teachers leading fun, engaging lessons. Summer Arts also includes student exhibitions, Museum tours, weekly portfolios and creative challenge periods.

Daily Schedule 8:00-9:00 AM

AM Extended Day

8:45-9:00 AM

Curbside Dropoff

9:00-12:00 PM

Morning Class

12:00-1:00 PM

Lunch/Outside Play

1:00-4:00 PM

Afternoon Class

4:00-4:15 PM

Curbside Pickup

4:00-6:00 PM

PM Extended Day

Pricing * Grades K-8 $550 (for Session 2, $440) Teen $510 AM Extended Day M-Th $40 PM Extended Day M-Th $60 * Museum members enjoy an additional 10% discount

Themes by Week Session 1: Busy Spaces (June 22 - 26 ) Just like the excitement of an amusement park or a busy summer beach, our studio will be buzzing with creativity this week. Young artists will explore new materials and ideas, inspired by busy spaces, through drawing, painting, and building. Join us in the studio to create, discover, and be inspired during a fun-filled week of art making—our busy studio spaces are the perfect place to explore and create!

Grades 6-8: Cross-Media Art Studio

Session 2: Hiding Spaces (June 29 - July 2) In this 4-day week kids will discover something magical about finding a cozy nook or a secret corner just for yourself. This week, we’ll be making art inspired by hiding places—the special spaces where imagination and creativity come to life.

Grades 6-8: Expressive Painting

Session 3: Cosmic Spaces (July 6 - 10) Blend science with imagination and explore cosmic spaces through art. Students will create a colorful, imaginative collection of artwork using a variety of media. From rocket ships to stardust and moon walks, this week is sure to be out of this world.

Grades 6-8: Introduction to Fashion

Session 4: Public Spaces (July 13 - 17) Get ready to think big — and small!

Students will design art for and inspired by public spaces. From colorful graffiti and giant murals to small, subtle installations, we’ll discover all the creative ways art can surprise, delight, and be shared by everyone.

Grades 6-8: Sculpture Studio

Session 5: Thinking Spaces (July 20- 24) Artists frequently take what is old and make it new again. They do this through the process of thinking: using existing knowledge, experimenting and creating a new idea. This week we will consider the spaces we use for thinking.

Inside our minds, the minds of others andinventing new ways we make art.

Grades 6-8: Drawing Foundations

Session 6: Tiny Spaces (July 27 - 31) A keyhole, a dollhouse, an insect’s tunnels beneath a rock—crouch down and explore tiny spaces up close. Students will create small-scale sculptures that play with size and perspective, or miniature paintings perfect for a miniature art gallery.

Grades 6-8: Comics and Illustration

Session 7: Imaginary Spaces (August 3 - 7) Make art with us that brings your imagination to life. Picture yourself as a superhero, soaring with dragons, or snuggling with a tiger. Students will use clay, paints, fabric, and a variety of other materials to turn their creative visions into reality.

Grades 6-8: Fabric and Fiber Studio

Session 8: Negative Spaces (August 10 - 14) Explore negative space—the shapes and areas around objects that help art come to life. Students play with cut-outs, stencils, and clever drawing tricks to see how empty spaces can be just as exciting as the shapes themselves. From bold silhouettes to surprising patterns, we’ll create art that makes you look twice and sparks your imagination.

Grades 6-8: Expressive Painting

Session 9: Play Spaces (August 17 - 21) Art and play make fast friends. We will make work inspired by places we play. A playground or bounce house are sure to deliver, but what about that clearing in the woods, or the top of the fort in your friends back yard? Students will play with new materials while making art about play.

Grades 6-8: Drawing Foundations Registration opens January 2, 2026.

Click here or scan the code at right to register!

High School Full-Day In-Studio Programming Session 3 (July 6 - 10) Ceramics/Sculpture Intensive Session 4 (July 13 - 17) Introduction to Fashion Session 5 (July 20 - 24) Portrait and Figure Painting Session 6 (July 27 - 31) Expressive Painting and Printmaking Session 7 (August 3 – 7) Fantasy Art Illustration See our website for full class descriptions. Supply list swill be provided prior to start of class.

The Danforth Art School at Framingham State University 14 Vernon Street - 3rd floor Framingham, MA 01701 danforthartschool@framingham.edu • 508-215-5116

Visit us on the web at danforth.framingham.edu Artwork above by Danforth Student Aster Kris. Cover artwork by Danforth student Erika Shen.