We are a non-profit visual art school with over 140 years of roots in the Ottawa community. With campuses in ByWard Market and Orléans — and a brand new Kanata location — we're making creative education accessible across the city. Our summer camps run weekly from June 29 to August 21, offering 8 weeks of programming for kids aged 6–16. Led by practising artists, each camp builds real skills in drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics and more, while developing creative thinking and problem-solving. All levels welcome — whether it's their first time with a paintbrush or they're ready to go deeper. Kids go home with new abilities, real confidence, and work they're proud of.

• Special needs: Not available

At OSA, every camp is led by a practising professional artist — someone who doesn't just teach art, but lives it. Kids work in real studio spaces alongside instructors who bring genuine creative expertise into every session, not just curriculum. With a maximum of 12–15 campers per group, every child gets real attention. Each themed camp — from Bob Ross painting to comics, photography, ceramics, and plein air painting — ends with a showcase where kids share what they made and take their finished work home. Parents choose OSA because they recognize the difference between an art class and an art school. Many return year after year — watching shy kids transform into confident young artists who can't stop talking about what they created.

Registration is open to all skill levels — no experience or interview required. Sign up online, by phone, or in person at our ByWard Market or Orléans campuses. An annual OSA membership ($30 + tax) is required to register and valid for one full year. Payment is due in full at registration. Need to cancel? No problem. We offer a full refund (minus a $25 admin fee) for cancellations made two or more weeks before camp starts, 50% refund within two weeks, and no refunds or credits will be provided for withdrawals requested within 1 week of the start date of the camp. Transfers between camps are available for $25. Questions? Our team is happy to help: [email protected] Learn more and register: www.artottawa.ca/programs/camps

OSA's instructors are practising, exhibiting artists — professionals who bring real creative careers into the classroom. Every instructor undergoes vulnerable sector screening before working with campers, and are selected for both their artistic expertise and their ability to connect with young people. Younger camps are supported by studio technicians who work alongside lead instructors, ensuring every child gets hands-on guidance throughout the week. Select camps at are offered in French and English, supported by bilingual instructors. With a maximum of 15 campers per group — and additional support in younger camps — OSA maintains the kind of intimate, mentorship-driven environment where kids feel seen,