2026 Creative Arts Camps
Summer camp registration open now!
Creative minds can explore, imagine, and play in high-energy, low-pressure camps that encourage and deepen an interest in the arts for rising 1st–5th grade campers. These week-long camps cultivate curiosity, build confidence, and help kids develop new skills through hands-on experiences in theater, music, visual arts, and more.
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is proud to partner with ArtSpace Charter School to present the 2026 Creative Arts Camp, a summer collaboration rooted in the shared belief that access to quality arts education strengthens both young people and the broader community.
Registration may be completed online or by calling the Box Office at 828-257-4530.
Please note: All sales are final. No refunds can be processed for Summer Camp.
About Wortham & ArtSpace Partnership
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is proud to partner with ArtSpace Charter School to present the 2026 Creative Arts Camp, a summer collaboration rooted in the shared belief that access to quality arts education strengthens both young people and the broader community.
The partnership has its roots in 2019, when Shana Tucker first came to Asheville as the Wortham’s inaugural artist-in-residence and was introduced to the ArtSpace Charter School community in Swannanoa. Struck by the school’s creativity, sense of belonging, and commitment to arts-integrated learning, the experience left an indelible impression. When Shana returned to the Wortham in 2026 to lead Wortham’s education and engagement programming, she reached out to ArtSpace’s executive director, Dr. Sarena Fuller, to explore ways the two organizations might partner in service to local families and young artists.
At a time when ArtSpace faced the loss of a significant federal funding grant that had previously allowed the school to offer summer camp programming free of charge for several years, the opportunity to collaborate with the Wortham became a meaningful and timely solution. By combining the Wortham’s professional performance venue and community engagement resources with ArtSpace’s experienced, NC-certified public school arts educators, the partnership expands access to meaningful arts opportunities for families across the Asheville region while supporting these creative professionals during the summer months. Together, the two orgs are investing in consistent, high-quality arts programming that nurtures creativity, collaboration, and confidence in young learners.
In addition to serving campers and families, the summer program creates valuable workforce and mentorship opportunities within the arts education field. Arts educators will mentor high school volunteers and college-age interns interested in arts education, youth development, arts marketing and community engagement, helping cultivate the next generation of creative educators and arts administrative professionals. The summer program also includes Arts For All Kids scholarship opportunities to help ensure accessibility for families experiencing a range of financial circumstances as our region continues to recover from the lasting impacts of Hurricane Helene.
2026 Teaching Artist Bios
Ms. Meg Novak (Music Specialist) is a graduate from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Science in Education for K-12 Music. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher for Early/Middle Childhood with a concentration in Band. Meg has participated in many community groups including We Rock, Asheville!, Experience Music, Asheville Choral Society and Asheville Community Band.
Ms. Waterfall Wise (Dance Specialist) holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Media and Performing Arts and a Doctorate of Divinity. Her career in the performing arts and education spans over 40 years, teaching many styles of dance, performance and theater, educating students from Kindergarten to the University level. She currently serves ArtSpace Charter School as the dance teacher and A+ Liaison.
Mr. Cagney Larkin (Theatre Arts Specialist) grew up acting in theater and eventually directed children’s theater for several years. He has a BFA in Digital Film & Video Production, and currently works at Artspace Charter School as the Fine Arts Teaching Assistant.
Ms. Lacey Brown (Visual Arts Specialist) is the visual art teacher at ArtSpace Charter School. She has been in this position for 6 years and has been teaching art for roughly 15 years. Lacey holds a BFA in Studio Art, a BS in Psychology, and an MFA in Painting and Drawing. When she’s not in the classroom, Lacey enjoys creating paintings that whimsically illustrate the natural world.
Ms. Christy Holmes (Theatre Arts Specialist) is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She has taught theatre arts to students in grades K–12 for more than 25 years. Christy believes every child has a unique story to tell, and that theatre arts — onstage or backstage — help students discover and share it.
WNC Animals
Rising 1st–2nd Grades
$205
Jun 22–26 • 9 am–1 pm
Get ready for a wild and creative summer adventure! Designed for rising 1st and 2nd graders, this arts integration camp explores the animals of Western North Carolina through music, movement, and visual art. Campers will create musical compositions inspired by regional wildlife, build instruments based on animal sounds and movements, and make hands-on art projects celebrating the shapes, colors, and beauty of local animals. This fun and engaging camp encourages creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and imaginative play in a supportive environment.
Under the Sea
Rising 3rd–5th Grades
$310
Jul 6–10 • 9 am–3 pm
Dive into an unforgettable underwater quest! In this immersive arts integration camp, campers in rising grades 3–5 will explore deep-sea creatures through movement, music, storytelling, and collaborative performance. Young artists will create dances inspired by ocean animals, experiment with ocean-themed soundscapes using instruments, vocal sounds, and body percussion, and work together to develop original stories and performances inspired by life beneath the waves. Inspired by the beauty of bioluminescence and the mysteries of the ocean, this creative camp encourages curiosity, teamwork, artistic expression, and confident performance in a fun and supportive environment.
Fabulous Fables
Rising 1st–2nd Grades
$205
Jul 20–24 • 9 am–1 pm
Step into the timeless world of Aesop’s fables in this imaginative arts integration camp for rising 1st and 2nd graders! Campers will bring classic stories to life through creative drama, movement, visual art, and playful performance while exploring themes of kindness, teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving. Young artists will create simple costumes and art projects inspired by favorite tales, build confidence through storytelling and collaborative play, and prepare for a fun final sharing that celebrates their creativity and hard work.
Spin Me a Tale
Rising 3rd–5th Grades
$310
Jul 27–31 • 9 am–3 pm
Travel through the rich storytelling traditions of Africa and the Afro-Caribbean world in this creative and energetic arts integration camp! Rising 3rd through 5th grade campers will explore folktales through dance, music, theatre, visual art, and performance while discovering the connection between rhythm and storytelling across cultures. Through drumming, creative movement, character work, and collaborative storytelling, young artists will build confidence, teamwork, cultural appreciation, and artistic expression while preparing for a lively Story Theatre presentation inspired by the stories they explore together.
Questions? Visit our Summer Camp FAQ page or email boxoffice@worthamarts.org.
