Youth Arts Education

Our Youth Arts Education Program is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary initiative designed for children and teens during out-of-school hours. Named "Best Community Art Center" by Columbus Parent Magazine in consecutive years, the program includes an eight-week summer arts camp, and annual spring and winter arts academies.

Carefully tailored to the needs of students in first grade through eigth grade, and administered by local artists in partnership with our professional staff, our scientifically based arts education curriculum provides hands-on opportunities to explore dance, visual arts, theatre, music, and more.

The King Arts Complex offers professional quality performing arts opportunities for students studying dance, music, and theater. Students are encouraged to express themselves, emphasizing creativity and experimentation through age-appropriate projects, themes and skills. Performing opportunities include recitals, theater productions, and community performances.

2023 Summer Camp Newsletter - Week Eight

2023 Summer Camp Newsletter - Week Seven

2023 Summer Camp Newsletter - Week Six

2023 Summer Camp Newsletter - Week Five

2023 Summer Camp Newsletter - Week Three

2023 Summer Camp Newsletter - Week Two

General Youth Programming Information

  • Youth Arts Academies coincide with Columbus City Schools spring, summer and winter breaks.
  • Instruction by professional artists in dance, theater, music, visual art, and literature. Field trips and meals provided.

Register For Any Of The Youth Programs

After School Program (Fall Session) 

October 8, 2023 - December 14, 2023
Monday-Thursday | 4 PM - 6 PM
Ages 6-13 (Grades 1-8)
Free
Registration Form

It's time again! Serving 1st grade-8th grade for after school tutoring Monday-Thursday from 4 PM - 6 PM.  We also provide enrichment in Technology and Arts for 4th grade - 8th grade. Sign your student up now!

The King Arts Complex After School Program is a FREE session that targets elementary and middle school students between the 1st and 8th grade (ages 6-13). This program, thanks to our community of public and private support, is provided at no cost to you. The After School Program will follow the schedule of Columbus City Schools’ calendar.

Participants will be engaged in four different arts and technology classes, including Creative Writing, Capoeira, Coding and Music. There will also be a homework/study hour with a tutor, and a light snack provided. The session will conclude with a project combining all the artistic disciplines.

Program support is provided by Cardinal Health Foundation, City Of Columbus, Encova, Franklin County Community Partnership, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and administered by the Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services, Honda Of America Foundation, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, The Thelma Clark Scholarship Fund, U.S. Bank, and United Way of Central Ohio.

Spring Academy
2023 Dates TBD (M-F) | 9 AM - 4 PM
Ages 5 - 13 (Kindergarten through 8th grade)
Programming: $125 per child
Registration Fee: $25

Summer Camp
June 12 - August 4, 2023 (M-F) | 9 AM - 4 PM
Ages 5 - 13 (Kindergarten through 8th grade)
Programming: $125 each week per student
Registration Fee: $25 per student

*Child must be 5 years old by May 31 to enroll.

Before Care: 7:30 AM - 9 AM ($25/week per student)
Aftercare: 4 PM - 5:30 PM ($25/week per student)
Before and After Care: ($40/week per student)

Payments can be made in person at the King Arts Complex through either Hellen Corder or Alice Lyles.  

Summer Arts Camp is an 8-week, all day program. Summer Academy runs throughout the Columbus City Schools summer recess.

This year’s theme for Summer Camp is UBUNTU (oo-BOON-too)

The word UBUNTU is of the Bantu philosophy that speaks to community and societal harmony.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” During the eight weeks, campers will have activities that focus on how we are all connected, effective problem solving, and how we are all responsible for making our lives and community better.

The camp will run on a STEAM module (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and will include:

• Dance
• Music
• Coding
• Visual Arts
• Creative Writing
• Photography

Important Dates:

    • June 7th (5 PM -7 PM) – Parent Information Night
    • June 19th – Camp Closed for Juneteenth Day
    • June 23rd – Early Closure. All campers need to be picked up by 2p. After care is unavailable.
    • July 3rd & 4th - Camp Closed for Independence Day
    • July 11th  (3 PM-4 PM)- Mid-Summer Presentation
    • August 3rd (2 PM - 4 PM)- End of Summer Presentation

Scholarships
If this program is out of your price range, a scholarship opportunity may be available. 

Please contact Briana Brewer, Camp Director, at brobinson@dev270.robintek.com with any questions.

Summer Camp Newsletters

Week 2 - June 20th - June 23rd 

Program support is provided by Cardinal Health Foundation, Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services, Honda of America Foundation, United Way of Central Ohio and U.S. Bank. 

Kwanzaa Youth Winter Academy
December 27th- 30th, 2022 | 9 AM - 4 PM
Ages 5 - 13 (Kindergarten through 8th grade)
Programming: $125 per child per week
Registration Fee: $25 per child

Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration of family, community and culture. It is so important that all students are challenged to be original creators of work, and most importantly, that they have fun doing it! Here at the King Arts Complex we provide an inviting environment that pushes all students to perform to their greatest abilities. Youth participants will learn about the principles of Kwanzaa by working with local, visual, and performing artists. There is something for everyone here at the 2022 Winter Academy.

Registration for Kwanzaa Youth Winter Academy is currently open. Click HERE to begin!

Program support is provided by Cardinal Health Foundation, City Of Columbus, Encova, Franklin County Community Partnership, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and administered by the Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services, Honda Of America Foundation, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, The Thelma Clark Scholarship Fund, U.S. Bank, and United Way of Central Ohio.

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