Family Guide to Sarasota’s Summer Arts & Discovery Camps

In Sarasota, summer isn’t just about beach days and sunshine (though there’s plenty of both). It’s also a season where creativity comes alive—on stage, in studios and even high above the ground under the big top.

Known as Florida’s Cultural Coast®, Sarasota offers families a chance to turn vacation time into something more meaningful: hands-on experiences, live performances and artistic discovery that spark imagination in young minds.

Whether your kids are aspiring performers, curious creators or just love a good show, here’s how to plan a summer filled with art, movement and memory-making.

Circus Arts & Big-Top Experiences

No place blends family fun and the arts quite like Sarasota—home to a legendary circus heritage.

For kids who want to go beyond watching and actually join the action, the Circus Arts Conservatory offers an immersive Summer Camp where children can learn trapeze, juggling, trampoline, tightwire and more. These hands-on programs build confidence, balance, coordination and teamwork—culminating in a costumed live performance for families at the end of each session.

Circus Arts Conservatory

If your child is a bit stage shy, stick to being in the audience. The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling will partner once again to present the Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater, from June 12–Aug. 8, 2026. This high-energy, family-friendly show features an international cast of acrobats, aerialists and performers in an intimate theater setting, making it perfect for younger audiences experiencing the magic of the circus for the first time.

Theatre for Young Performers

Sarasota's reputation as a cultural powerhouse extends far beyond its professional stages—it's also a premier training ground for the next generation of performers and technicians. This summer, three of the region's iconic institutions will open their doors to students, offering everything from whimsical camps for beginners to high-level intensives for aspiring actors. 

For older students looking to sharpen their craft, Asolo Repertory Theatre offers a series of focused Summer Intensives. These programs are designed for middle and high schoolers (grades 6-12) who want to dive deep into specific disciplines. Led by working actors and industry experts, participants can choose from tracks in acting, musical theatre or costume design.

Asolo Repertory Theatre

The Players Studio (the education arm of The Sarasota Players) offers a vibrant mix of themed weekly camps and full-scale production experiences. Younger performers (ages 7-14) can explore Weekly Theatre Camps centered around popular culture and Broadway hits—think everything from Taylor Swift and K-Pop themes to Hamilton and Disney classics. For those ready for the "full-show" experience, the Summer Performance Camp invites students ages 11-17 to audition, rehearse and perform in a complete production of SpongeBob the Musical.

While many programs focus on the spotlight, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall offers a unique look at the magic happening in the wings. Their Technical Theatre Camp provides students ages 12-18 the opportunity to work directly with professional union technicians to learn the "tools of the trade," covering the essential stagecraft skills required to run a major touring venue. It's an ideal program for students who are curious about careers in lighting, sound or stage management.

Music, Dance & Creative Expression

Dance is another way Sarasota’s arts scene comes to life in summer. Whether your child is taking their very first steps or is a dedicated student looking to refine their technique, the local dance scene offers world-class instruction in a nurturing environment.

Photo courtesy of The Sarasota Ballet

As the premier ballet institution in the region, The Sarasota Ballet School provides programs tailored to every stage of a dancer’s development. The school’s Summer Camps (ages 3-7) use themed weeks to blend storytelling, crafts and movement to build coordination and confidence. The Junior Summer Intensive (ages 8-12) is designed for students ready to elevate their training. Beyond classical ballet and pointe work, dancers explore jazz, contemporary and even pantomime.

Music lovers will find plenty of ways to get involved, too. From the grand stage of the Opera House to the symphonic sounds of the concert hall, Sarasota’s music programs offer students the chance to find their rhythm and hone their vocal talents alongside industry professionals.

The Sarasota Youth Opera Summer Camp is a one-of-a-kind experience for ages 8-18. Campers will dive into the "total art form" by exploring singing, acting, physical comedy and the backstage magic of wigs, makeup and costumes. For the more advanced student, the new Sarasota Opera Vocal Academy offers a pre-college intensive designed for high schoolers looking to refine their collegiate audition repertoire with one-on-one coaching.

The Venice Symphony will host its annual Summer Music Academy, offering two distinct paths for instrumentalists and music lovers (grades K-5 and 6-11). Elementary students spend their mornings exploring the fundamentals of music and creativity, while middle and high school musicians spend their afternoons in an ensemble setting.

Visual Arts & Creative Labs

For kids who prefer paint and clay to scripts and stage lights, Sarasota’s visual arts scene offers endless inspiration. Two of our arts institutions will transform local galleries into living laboratories, where young creators can ditch their tablets and flex their imaginations.

Art Center Sarasota's Summer Art Camp program invites young artists (ages 6-9 and ages 10-13) to experiment with different materials and techniques, including painting, sculpture and mixed media, while learning from professional instructors. Each week is an entirely new adventure in creating original works, with themes ranging from "Mad Art Scientists" to "Magical Art Academy." 

Sarasota Art Museum

At the Sarasota Art Museum (SAM), a weekly Summer Camp becomes a dynamic laboratory for curious minds. Aimed at ages 7–13, this program focuses on seeing the world through a lens of wonder. In addition to classic mediums like drawing, painting and ceramics, SAM has introduced Digital Arts to its daily curriculum this year, allowing campers to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.

Art & Science Outdoors

Sarasota’s natural beauty is more than just a backdrop—it’s a classroom. This summer, children can explore the intersection of the natural world and the creative spirit through these immersive outdoor programs.

At Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus, Camp Lookout invites young explorers (grades 1–5) to see the garden through an artist’s eyes. During their "Art of Nature" session, campers will experiment with artistic mediums, using the garden’s vibrant textures and shapes as their primary inspiration. It's a unique opportunity for kids to express themselves with natural materials, all while learning how the environment inspires artists.

For kids who want to dive deep into the wonders of the ocean, Mote Marine Laboratory offers two distinct paths for a summer full of memories. Adventure Camp at the City Island location is perfect for those who love to get their feet wet. This water-based camp focuses on snorkeling, kayaking and exploring local ecosystems firsthand.

Photo courtesy of Mote Science Education Aquarium

If your child is partial to STEM-related activities, the Mote SEA location will offer a STEM Camp, focused on the "business of science." Campers will use high-tech labs and interactive exhibits to solve marine mysteries—making it an ideal choice for the young scientist who wants to learn about animal care, ocean conservation and groundbreaking research.

Plan Your Creative Summer Escape

If you're an arts-loving family, consider staying at one of the area's many creative hotel spaces that double as works of art in their own right. 

Photo courtesy of Cirque St. Armands Beachside

Between world-class performances, hands-on workshops and creative programs designed just for kids, enjoy building a summer itinerary with the family that balances inspiration with play. One day might mean painting and pottery; the next, a circus show or a moment on stage.

And in between? There’s always the beach!

Content in collaboration with Arts Alliance of Sarasota County. View more Summer 2026 Youth Arts Opportunities.