Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) Summer Art & Music Programs! Ages 7 and up

PMAC Summer offers unique art camps for youth, week-long youth and teen music workshops, flexible art and music lessons for all ages, and an adult community band. Come fill your summer with creativity and community!

PMAC offers Tuition Aid for students in need. We believe every person should have access to music and arts programs, regardless of their economic status, and especially during times of crisis.

Information about Summer Tuition Aid for summer lessons and youth art and music camps, as well as deadlines, can be found by following this link here. We recommend to apply early!

2026 PMAC SUMMER ART & MUSIC PROGRAMS

PMAC Filmmaking Camp
Step behind the camera and bring your ideas to life on screen in this hands-on summer PMAC Filmmaking Camp. You’ll write, shoot, and edit original short films while learning how cinematography, lighting, sound, and editing work together to create meaning and emotion. Along the way, we’ll watch and discuss scenes from classic and contemporary films, then apply what we learn directly to our own projects as we experiment, collaborate, and develop skills for production and post-production. The week concludes with a student film festival where filmmakers share their work with friends and family. Whether you are new to filmmaking or looking to build on existing skills, PMAC Filmmaking Camp welcomes curious students who want to experiment and have fun creating.

Two Different Age Offerings:

Students entering Grades 5–8. Develop core skills and explore creatively.
Students entering Grades 8–12. Delve into visual storytelling and techniques.

All equipment is provided. Students will work with professional-quality cameras provided by a partnership with ZEISS Cinema.

Ages: 10–11
Sessions Dates: August 10-14 (ages 10-11)
Times: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: PMAC, Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
Cost: $450
Register Here!

Ages: 12–17
Sessions Dates: August 17 -21
Times: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: PMAC, Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
Cost: $550
Register Here!

PMAC Artist Camp
For students entering grades 2-7. Unleash your child’s imagination at PMAC Artists Camp! Themed weeklong camps are packed with hands-on 2D and 3D art projects and each week concludes with a student art show for family and friends to celebrate!

This year the camp will be held at Traip Academy, 12 Williams Ave., in Kittery, ME.

Week 1: Nature Explorer – July 6-10, 2026 // $375
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 // $375
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 // $375
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.

Ages: 7-13
Sessions Dates: July 6-10, July 13-17, and July 20-24
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Traip Academy, Kittery, ME
Cost: $375
Register Here!

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.

For students entering grades 3-5 in Fall 2026.

Ages: 8-11
Dates: June 29 – July 2
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: PMAC, Portsmouth
Cost: $300
Register Here!

Pre-Teen and Teen Music Workshops

Summer Rock 101 Camp
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.

What to Expect:

• Play and perform rock music in a band setting
• Build skills in collaboration and stage presence
• End the week with a special sharing session for family and friends!

Who Can Join?
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!

Ages: Ages 9-11
Dates: July 27-31
Times: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: PMAC, Portsmouth
Cost: $225
Register Here!

Teen Summer Rock and Beyond Workshop
ROCK out with us in this Summer Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop! 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! 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. The Summer Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop will conclude with a show. Led by PMAC teaching artists, students will learn valuable skills in musicianship, teamwork, songwriting, stage presence and more!

The week ends with a community TEEN ROCK SHOW at a local music venue.

Multiple 1-week sessions offered for musicians ages 12-18.

Ages: 12-18
Session Dates: July 13-17 and July 20-24
Times: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: PMAC, Portsmouth
Cost: $400
Register Here!

Teen Summer Jazz Workshop
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.

What to Expect:

• Learn and perform a variety of jazz styles
• Develop improvisation and ensemble skills
• Cap off the week with a live public performance!

Who Can Join?

Open to musicians with 1-2 years of experience on their primary instrument. 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!

Ages: Ages 12-17
Dates: July 6-10
Times: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: PMAC, Portsmouth
Cost: $400
Register Here!

Summer Community Band for Teens and Adults

New Horizons Band – Summer Edition (Ages 15-Adult)
Join PMAC’s New Horizons Band – Summer Edition for a fun and rewarding community band experience! This tuition-free large ensemble is open to intermediate to advanced players of band instruments. Beginners with at least a year of study are also encouraged to inquire.

What to Expect:
• Three in-person rehearsals
• A dynamic mix of concert band music – from traditional marches to Broadway medleys
• A final performance to showcase your progress! Performance details coming soon!

This program is designed for adult musicians throughout the year, but during the summer, teens are also welcome to join the fun.

Don’t miss this chance to make music, meet fellow musicians, and be part of a vibrant community band!

Ages: 15-Adult
Dates: Tuesdays, June 16, 23, and 30
Times: 5:30-8:00 PM
Location: PMAC, Portsmouth
Community Concerts TBA
Cost: FREE
Register Here!

Private Lessons that Fit Your Summer Schedule

Private Lesson Flex-Passes (Ages 4-Adult)
Enjoy private music or art lessons on a customized schedule this summer with a PMAC Private Lesson Flex-Pass! Whether you’re continuing your studies or trying something new, the PMAC Flex Pass offers flexibility to plan around vacations and camps.

Popular summer offerings include a 6-pack of 30-min private music lessons and a 6-pack of 45-minute art lessons, but it’s really up to you! Lesson tuition is based on your custom schedule, so you can learn at your own pace all summer long.

Ages: Ages 4-Adult
Dates: Flexible
Times: Flexible
Location: PMAC or Remote
Cost: Depends on your custom schedule

Offerings Include:

• Accordion
• Bass Guitar
• Bassoon
• Cello
• Clarinet
• Composition
• Concert Percussion
• Drawing
• Drum Set
• Electronic Music
• Euphonium
• Fiddle
• Flute
• Guitar
• Hand Percussion
• Improvisation
• Mandolin
• Mixed Media (Visual Arts)
• Music Theory
• Music Therapy
• Painting
• Piano
• Piano for Vocalists
• Recorder
• Recording
• Saxophone
• Songwriting
• Trombone
• Trumpet
• Tuba
• Ukulele
• Upright Bass
• Viola
• Violin
• Visual Arts
• Voice
• World Percussion
• Young Voice

Questions?
For more information, visit www.pmaconline.com/summer-programs, contact the PMAC Office at 603-431-4278 or email us at info@pmaconline.org.

Portsmouth Music & Arts Center
973 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 431-4278