ArtSmarts Art Camp

ArtSmarts Art Camp returns for its fourth year in August 2027, moving to Downtown St. Cloud to create deeper connections between youth creativity, community heritage, and professional pathways. This intensive 8-day camp (40 hours total) combines rigorous art skill-building with meaningful community engagement, positioning art as central to young people's lives and futures.

August 18 - 28, 2027

Tuesdays - Fridays at the The Foundry (2nd Floor where Heijeu Arts is located), Downtown St. Cloud

10:00- 3:00pm

Culminating Event Thursday, August 27, 3pm - 4:00pm!

2026 SUPPORTERS

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

  • "The flexibility of the instructor to allow children to voice and meet their needs for solitude and managing stimuli."

    An Appreciative Parent

  • “I liked that we had a lot of freedom.”

    ArtSmarts Participant

  • “I feel like I learned how to get more creative. It made me like art more.”

    ArtSmarts Participant

Fast Facts

    • Youth entering grades 4–9

  • The Foundry Art Center (11 7th Ave N) Downtown St. Cloud, MN


    ADA-compliant facility with walkable downtown area

  • ✔ Instructors trained to work with all abilities
    ✔ Adaptable tools available upon request
    ✔ Supportive of kids with disabilities, anxiety, and sensory needs

  • True Cost $500 for 8 days, 40 hours of art making bliss!

    ✅ Pay-what-you-can options
    ✅ Payment plans & multi-child discounts available

  • The 8-day format (10am–3pm daily) is deliberately designed for sustained engagement:

    • 10:00–10:30am — Grounding & check-in (community building, intention-setting)

    • 10:30am–12:00pm — Skill introduction (new art form or technique)

    • 12:00–1:00pm — Lunch & unstructured play (peer relationship building, recharge)

    • 1:00–2:30pm — Deep dive studio time (application, experimentation, mastery)

    • 2:30–3:00pm — Space reset & reflection (care, closure)

Why Heijeu Arts Programming?

At Heijeu Arts, we understand the importance of nurturing young creatives. Our youth programming is meticulously crafted to offer a comprehensive exploration of art, fostering a deep connection with the creative community. Through our initiatives, your child will appreciate the vital role artists and imagination play in shaping our world.

Led by highly qualified, nationally recognized artists, our instructors bring a wealth of expertise to guide and inspire young minds. By immersing students in the realm of local public art, we aim to broaden their artistic perspectives and encourage community engagement.

Moreover, we are dedicated to integrating elements of science, math, and literacy into our projects and activities. This interdisciplinary approach not only cultivates artistic skills but also promotes critical thinking and a holistic understanding of the world.

At Heijeu Arts, we provide the time, resources, and support needed for art kids to flourish creatively, empowering them to become the visionary artists of tomorrow.

Key Components to All Heijeu Arts Youth Programs:

  • Awesome community partners

  • Beyond “Make & Take” art activities

  • Relevant Professional Development for Teens

  • Community Focused Practitioners

  • Exhibition Opportunities

  • Cross-Curriculum Arts Activities (STEM, Literacy)

Photo Gallery of Previous Summer Workshops

While we sometimes make messes, we don’t mess around! Heijeu Arts takes artistry very seriously, and know that supporting budding artists is extremely important. We build community. We spark curiosity. We make memories…

…and messes.

Group of children in front of a display at Stearns History Museum, some holding decorated skateboards, one holding a cake, and a woman with a tray of cupcakes. The display features a life-sized cowboy figure and a black wall with gold lettering listi
A young girl wearing a blue T-shirt, a painted apron, and black sneakers with white laces, smiling at the camera in an art classroom with colorful wall hangings and a wooden table with art supplies.
A man standing with a microphone addressing a group of children sitting on chairs and a stool in a room with wooden floors and a brick wall. There is music equipment on the floor.
Young boy with glasses wearing a red 'Family' t-shirt and green shorts is sitting on a table, painting a small cup. Art supplies, including paint bottles, brushes, and paper, are spread out on the table.
A man with a black T-shirt and a beard is standing among three children, one girl is holding a microphone, in a room with a stained glass window and a carpeted floor. Musical equipment and a speaker are on the floor.
A girl smiling and holding a painted skateboard with a sunset scene, standing in a room with tables and chairs, and a projector screen on the wall.
Group of six young people, some with colorful hair, sitting on a vintage sofa in an art gallery, with artistic artwork on the wall to the right.
Child with braided hair painting a colorful striped artwork on canvas with various paint supplies on a wooden table.
Children and an adult are kneeling or sitting on the floor, working on large sheets of paper, possibly drawing or coloring, inside a room with a large front window and wooden flooring.
Two children, a boy with curly red hair wearing a blue t-shirt and beige shorts, and a girl with long brown hair wearing a white t-shirt with colorful designs and gray pants, sitting on a large stone sculpture in an urban outdoor setting on a sunny d
A young boy standing in front of a colorful butterfly mural on a brick wall, with his arms raised and smiling. The mural features a large butterfly with geometric, multicolored wings and a quote above it that says, 'Be the change you want to see in t
Children sitting at a wooden table in an art classroom, drawing or writing on paper with pencils, with art supplies on shelves and colorful artwork on the walls.
A young girl with braided hair and a face mask, peeking over a large bouquet of red and pink roses in a glass jar, inside a flower shop or boutique.
A woman decorating a skateboard with pink and purple paints in an indoor workspace.
Hand-painted skateboard deck featuring a green alien with four arms, set against a yellow background with purple at the top and bottom, and white stars and dots at the purple sections.
A workspace with various craft supplies, including paint bottles, small painted objects, and a painted wooden egg on a table.
A young girl with blonde hair, wearing a white shirt, is painting with blue acrylic paint on a piece of paper. She has a rainbow-colored bracelet on her wrist and a smartwatch on her other wrist. There are paint bottles and a painted skateboard deck
A person drawing a portrait of a face with pink and red colors on a white sketchpad. The artist's hand is visible holding a black colored pencil, and the drawing depicts a face with large eyes, a small nose, and lips.