Summer is prime time for children to learn more about art, music, theater and dance. Looking for ways to get yours involved? Here are a dozen arts-based programs and events to fire up your child's imagination (and peel them away from the television).
- Artown for kids - This year, there are nearly 70 Artown events developed especially for children, with at least one -- and up to five -- happening almost every day of July, many for free. Events, held at various Reno locations, range from colorful performances to hands-on workshops, where children are encouraged to actively participate in art. Details: www.renoisartown.com or 775-322-1538.
- Museum school - Nevada Museum of Art has summer arts camps through its E.L. Cord Museum School. Themes for this summer's camps include dinosaurs, sculpture and clay, the animal world, ancient Egypt, printmaking and a digital studio for teens. Most camps run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays, and usually meet for one week. Prices range from $180 to $220. Details: www.nevadaart.org or call the museum at 775-329-3333.
- By teens, for teens - The Holland Project, founded in Reno in 2006, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring art, music, workshops and opportunities for community activism to local youths. "Out for Summer," a gallery exhibit showcasing the work of local high school artists, is on display through July 30 at the Holland Project headquarters, 30 Cheney St. Find more opportunities for your teen at www.hollandreno.zerominuszero.net or call 775-742-1858.
- Get a move on - The Explicit Impact Teen Dance Series is for teens interested in learning and practicing new dance moves and group routines. Groups meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Sibayan Youth and Recreation Center, 1090 Bresson Ave., Reno; and on Monday and Tuesday at the Neil Road Recreation Center, 3925 Neil Road, Reno. Interested teens should drop in at the Sibayan location; there is a $1 drop-in fee. After that, they can sign up for a recreation membership ($12.50 for three months). Call ahead to confirm times and dates. Details: Sibayan: 775-326-6666; Neil Road: 775-689-8484; or the city of Reno: 775-334-2262.
- Art at the Y - For nearly seven years, YMCA of the Sierra has hosted an arts camp for children 5 to 14 at the Sparks Family Center, 850 Baring Blvd., Sparks. These camps guide children as they discover their own creative style and preferred media, from acrylic and watercolor to sculpture and stamps. This next camp is slated to begin Aug. 10. Cost: $125 per week. Details: www.ymcasierra.org or 775-323-9622.
- Summer with Shakespeare - The D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program offers 15 free matinee performances at outdoor sites in and around Reno. The program is a collaborative project of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and the Nevada Shakespeare Company. For venues, dates and times, call 775-832-1616 or visit www.laketahoeshakespeare.com.
- Explore the stage - The city of Reno has a three-week Performing Arts Specialty Camp for youths 8-14. The camp offers the opportunity to sing, dance and perform in a production. Various aspects of stagecraft will be covered, including lighting, music and directing. Two camps take place this summer, one starting July 12 and the other Aug. 9. Camp hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Southside Cultural Center, 190 E. Liberty St. Cost: $125 per week. Details: 775-334-2262 or www.reno.gov, click on the "Living" drop-down menu, click on "Parks and Recreation."
- Lessons from the River School - The River School, 7777 White Fir St. Reno, hosts classes sponsored by area artists and arts groups. Among those: A jewelry-making class for youths 6-10 and 11-18 at 11:45 a.m. every Monday in July (reservations required by calling 775-827-8777). Cost: $40. KidScape Productions will offer an improvisational acting class for youths 8 and older from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3-7. Cost: $175. A Gardening and Eco Art Camp is set to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 9-13. Cost: $150. Details: www.riverschool.info or 775-747-3910.
- Camping with music - Lake Tahoe Music Camp, organized by the University of Nevada, Reno, is set to take place July 25-31 at the Nevada State 4-H Camp in Stateline. Each year, this camp invites student musicians from area middle and high schools to take part in a full week of music at the lake, with instruction from outstanding adult musicians. Cost: $500. Details: www.unr.edu/ltmc or 775-784-4046.
- Authors Unite - The University of Nevada, Reno's Kids University offers several summer camps, some arts-related, some not. Among the choices is Authors Unite, a class for budding writers in grades 3-6. Camp hours are from 8 a.m. to noon July 19-23 at the Lombardi Rec Center on the UNR campus. Cost: $170. For more on this and other Kids University offerings, see www.extendedstudies.unr.edu/youth.htm or call 775-784-4062.
- WCSD summer art camps - The Washoe County School District's community education department has opportunities for your budding actor or artist. This summer's menu of camps and classes include improvisational theater, scene study, clay art and "Fun with Fiber," where campers learn how to spin wool, weave and crochet. To register for classes or for more information, call WCSD community education at 775-353-5780 or visit washoecountyschools.org/community/education and click on "2010 summer camps."
- VSA Nevada - VSA arts provides children and adults the opportunity to experience the visual and performing arts firsthand through participation in arts festivals, art workshops and classroom art residencies. In June and July, VSA offers multi-session child and parent-child classes ranging from watercolor, clay, collage and acting. Four-day camps in visual arts and drama also are offered. Located at both Lake Mansion in downtown Reno and Alf Sorensen Center in Sparks. Cost: $40-$80. Details: 775-826-6100 or www.vsanevada.org.
