Camp and Classes FAQs

Q: How long does Camp Art Stars last?

A: Each camp session is four days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Camp Art Stars runs from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

We offer Camp Art Stars throughout the summer, from June until August.

We also offer a weekly class for youth ages 14-17, Teen Tuesdays.

Q: Camp Art Stars celebrates and encourages process over product. What does that mean?

A: The creative process is ongoing, experimental, reflective, and messy. When working with Art Stars, teaching artists provide instruction and demonstrations to help them explore a range of answers to creative problems. Sometimes this results in a finished product, but that is not always the goal. The main goal is to support each young artist’s experience while creating.

Art Stars will try out different techniques and materials through experimentation. Their unique artistic voice will come through in their creations.

Q: What time does drop-off start? Where do I drop off my Art Star?

A: Drop-off begins at 9:15 a.m. at the front entrance of the Museum. A staff person will be out front with a clipboard ready to sign in campers. No need to park and walk inside!

A guardian must always sign the camper in and out.

If you arrive between 9:35 and 9:55 a.m., the Museum will not be open to the public yet. Please call Ruth Sanchez, 757-333-6269, or the Welcome Desk, 757-333-6232.

If you arrive after 10:00 a.m., please park and bring your Art Star all the way into the Museum to join the group in the Diamonstein Education Workshop.

Q: Does the same adult need to drop off and pick up?

A: No. Different adults can drop off and pick up. Please let the Museum staff person know who will be taking care of pick up, and they will make a note on the sheet.

Q: What should I send with my Art Star?

A: Each camper should bring 2 snacks and a lunch as well as a refillable water bottle. We do not have refrigeration or reheating capabilities, and lunches will be stored in the Diamonstein Education Workshop.

We will supply all artmaking materials.

Q: What should the young artist wear to Camp Art Stars?

A: Art is messy; plan to dress accordingly. If your Art Star gets cold easily, bring a sweater since the Museum can sometimes be chilly. We will also spend time outdoors, weather permitting.

Q: Do you have scholarships available?

A: Yes. Email discover@chrysler.org to request a scholarship form.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: A full refund may only be granted if written notice is provided five or more days from the scheduled event. Please email discover@chrysler.org to cancel your registration.

Classes or events may be canceled at the Chrysler Museum of Art’s discretion up to 48 hours prior to the event. A refund will be issued.

Q: What if my Art Star isn’t feeling well?

A: Please do not send a sick child to Camp Art Stars. Once they are feeling better, we look forward to continue Camp Art Stars. We do not issue refunds for illness.

Q: What are the Community Agreements for Camp Art Stars? What happens if they are violated?

A: Community Agreements will be discussed as a group during the beginning of each Camp Art Stars in order to have a safe, playful, and enjoyable environment and mindset. These are the main expectations for all Camp Art Stars:

Art Stars…

• Show Kindness: In order to be creative and be a member of a community, Art Stars are kind to fellow campers, instructors, staff, artists, and volunteers. There is no tolerance for bullying or overly rough play.
• Show Respect: Art Stars will respect the spaces we explore together as well as the people we meet. In the Museum’s galleries, that means no touching, mark-making, running, or wandering. In the Education Workshop, that means treating art materials with care, cleaning up after working, giving fellow Art Stars space to create, and using furniture safely.   
• Listen and Share: Art Stars will engage in active listening and follow instructions. Art Stars will also share their ideas with fellow campers, instructors, staff, artists, and volunteers throughout Camp.
• Know Where They Are: Good behavior choices look different depending on where Art Stars are spending time. This means taking in your surroundings and checking the volume of your voice, the way you move your body, and how you play with others. We expect Art Stars to check in and make sure their choices respond to their spaces.

If an Art Star cannot follow the above expectations, a guardian will need to retrieve their camper and not return to the program.

Q: What is Art Show Friday?

A: All week campers work on various projects, experimentations, and works of art. Art Show Friday happens during the last 30 minutes of Camp Art Stars. Families are invited to the Diamonstein Education Workshop for a showcase of each camper’s creations. Bring the whole family on Friday at 2:00 p.m.

Q: When does the artwork come home?

A: All the artwork will go home after Art Show Friday. We want to make sure each artist has a robust presentation for Art Show Friday, and many projects will take more than one day to complete.