Create. Connect. Inspire.
Discover a week of hands-on workshops, professional mentorship, and the creative community you’ve been waiting for.
EIU’s Summer Art Camp offers a weeklong, uniquely intimate, mentor-driven experience for high school artists across the Midwest. Unlike larger university summer programs, Eastern Illinois University emphasizes small-scale collaboration, individualized feedback, and a nurturing environment where every camper has direct access to working artists and faculty. You’ll create original artwork, connect with other young artists, and find inspiration in every brushstroke, sketch, and shared idea. Campers leave not just with stronger portfolios, but with a sense of creative belonging and confidence that extends well beyond the studio. Through hands-on workshops in drawing, painting, ceramics, screen printing, and more, this is your chance to dive deep into the arts, experiment with new media, and discover what happens when imagination meets collaboration.
Here you’re one of the team. This isn’t just art camp—it’s where young creators find their voice, their people, and their next step.
Led by professional artists, this summer art program helps you develop new skills, strengthen your college art portfolio, and experience campus life in a fun, supportive community. Whether you’re experimenting with new media or refining your technique, you’ll discover how collaboration and creativity go hand in hand.
Join us to create, connect, and inspire — and see how your imagination can shape the future of art and design.
Registration opens January 5th 2026
Featured classes for 2026 include Ceramics, Graphic Design, and Painting. Evening activities and workshops include t-shirt printing, sewing, videography, and more. Top it off with an ice cream social, games, bowling, and movies, and you have a memorable week-long experience, having upped your art abilities and making lifelong friends.
Smaller Camp. Bigger Impact.
At Eastern Illinois University, creativity isn’t crowded. You’ll work side-by-side with professional artists and faculty who know your name, your goals, and your potential. With small groups and full studio access, every project is personal—and every artist is seen.
Field-Based Experience
From the very first day, students jump into a hands-on, interactive welcome workshop that sets the creative tone for the week. The Tarble Museum of Art serves as both the starting and finishing point of the camp experience—beginning with an exciting evening kickoff event and concluding with a professional student exhibition inside the museum. Guided by museum professionals and exhibition experts, campers gain real-world experience in curating and presenting their own work—giving families a chance to celebrate their achievements in a gallery setting.
Art Is Better Together.
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EIU Art Camp is more than a workshop—it’s a creative family. Build friendships, discover mentors, and connect with artists who will cheer you on long after camp ends.
Camp Schedule
Mark your calendars for July 12-18, 2025. Registration and check-in will commence at the designated residence hall lobby from 2 - 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. Don't worry; detailed directions and a campus map will be provided in your acknowledgment letter. On the final day, join us for the Student Exhibition in the Tarble Art Museum, where proud parents and family members can celebrate the artistic achievements of our campers over refreshments before departure.
Join us for the EIU Summer Art Camp 2026, nestled within the serene confines of the Eastern Illinois University campus, located in the charming town of Charleston, Illinois. Conveniently situated just off I-57 on Route 16, Charleston is easily accessible from major cities such as St. Louis (135 miles), Chicago (200 miles), and Indianapolis (120 miles).
A tuition fee of $600 for the EIU Summer Art Camp covers all instruction, six nights of comfortable lodging, 18 meals at a university residence hall, snacks, engaging recreational activities, and a nominal $50 nonrefundable art materials fee. Secure your spot in the camp by submitting your application before June 26th, 2026, as enrollment is limited.
Rest easy in EIU's modern, air-conditioned south quad residence hall complex, featuring double-occupancy rooms and inviting public lounges. Our dining halls serve up delicious meals, starting with Sunday evening dinner and concluding with Saturday lunch. Have specific dietary needs? Let us know in advance on your registration form, and we'll ensure your comfort throughout your stay.
Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Our attentive staff counselors will provide supervision within the residence halls, while all campers are expected to adhere to EIU policies at all times. Please note that the EIU Summer Art Camp operates as a "closed campus," with participants requiring written permission from a parent or guardian and consent from camp staff for any off-campus excursions.
Frequently Asked Questions for CAMPERS
After breakfast each day you’ll dive straight into art classes. Each day you’ll attend and participate in three classes, with a break for lunch midday. The afternoon offers an extended break followed by dinner and evening events such as t-shirt printing, social time, videography, and more. At the end of the week students will put up an exhibition of their work at the Tarble Museum of Art, where friends and family are welcome to join and celebrate your accomplishments.
Featured classes for 2026 include Ceramics, Graphic Design, and Painting. Evening activities and workshops include t-shirt printing, sewing, drawing, and more.
Yes — not only will you spend time creating work side-by-side, but you’ll be residing with like-minded creative students. During classes, you can expect to learn through lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practice, and be a part of critiques, where you’ll receive valuable feedback from instructors and fellow students.
Reassure that all skill levels are welcome — the focus is on growth, experimentation, and learning new techniques, not just advanced skills.
Great question! You’ll be experiencing life as a college student for a week–a downloadable packing list will be available soon to help you prepare.
Please note: all art supplies required for courses are covered in your registration fee. You do not need to bring your own supplies.
Yes, you’ll have plenty of downtime! Free time and evenings are scheduled to include social events, campus walks, or movie/game nights in the residence hall.
Frequently Asked Questions for parents
Our attentive staff counselors will provide supervision within the residence halls. All campers are expected to adhere to EIU policies at all times. Please note that the EIU Summer Art Camp operates as a "closed campus," with participants requiring written permission from a parent or guardian and consent from camp staff for any off-campus excursions. Camp counselors stay with students 24/7.
EIU is considered a safe campus. We are equipped with emergency protocols and a dedicated campus police force that patrols our facilities. We offer on-campus health services and are less than 10-minutes from the nearest hospital should an emergency arise.
For further information: https://www.eiu.edu/stuaff/safety.php
Our dining halls can accommodate allergies, vegetarian/vegan options, and specific dietary needs. We will ask about these details on your student’s registration form.
A mixture EIU art professors, EIU alumni, and professional artists will be instructing the workshops and events throughout the camp.
The camp director is reachable via phone, text, and email throughout the camp duration. Students are welcome to use their phones to contact parents during breaks and free time, but we ask that all cell phones are stowed away during classes.
Art camp tuition includes housing, all meals, and all necessary materials for classes for Sunday through Saturday (6 nights). The fees also cover social and evening programming and events. Limited scholarships are available and will be awarded based on financial need. Please contact the camp director for more information.
Homesickness is natural — our supportive staff and friendly, inclusive community atmosphere helps comfort those who may be missing home.