Why the Arts Matter

Centauri Arts has been offering creative arts camps, year-round arts classes, school workshops and writing retreats for the past three decades. In that time, we’ve worked with thousands of young people… and we’ve also witnessed the erosion of arts programs in schools. Why are the arts an essential component of a young person’s education? As you help your pre-teen or teen to plan their summer, consider the following: The arts promote imagination and creativity In an ever-changing world, a creative mindset means adaptability and openness to new ideas. The arts encourage empathy. For a society as diverse as ours, respect for the perspectives and needs of others and for differences of culture, ethnicity, gender and more is essential in the workplace – and for life. [...]

May 23rd, 2024|Academy, Camp Blog|

The Centauri Arts Camp Difference!

Centauri Arts is NOT your average summer arts program! Here’s what makes us an ideal choice for young people aged 11-17… Our Instructors are Arts Professionals with years of teaching experience, too. Older youth need role models. They need to know they are being taught not by students on summer jobs, but by instructors with real-world industry experience. All our faculty combine teaching with active arts careers. Our times are perfect for older youth! Young people aged 11-17 can often make their way to our studio themselves; parents aren’t looking for childcare during office hours -  they want a worthwhile summer experience for their child that is enriching and fun. Our programs run from 11am-3.30pm or 4pm to 8.30pm. That’s four intensive hours spent on [...]

Film Camps and Workshops in Toronto Summer 2024!

Choose from three different film production camps at Centauri Arts this summer – all of them at our studio in Bloor West Village and easily accessible from Swansea, High Park, The Junction, Roncesvalles and anywhere in Etobicoke, Mississauga or Toronto. Why choose a summer film workshop this summer? 1. Learn a wide variety of film production and acting skills in just one week. Discover screenwriting, storyboarding, directing, DOP, audio, lighting, design, marketing, editing and acting for the camera – all in one camp. 2. Movie-making skills connects to STEAM in school. Learn technical and artistic skills and discover how they intersect, at film camp and in the real world. 3. Movie-making is a collaborative art form. Movie camp teaches skills you can use later [...]

May 1st, 2024|Academy, Camp Blog|

Creative Writing Camps: Join our Summer Writing Workshops in Toronto This Summer!

Summer 2024 writing camps for young people aged 11-17 throughout July and August. Choose from 1/2 day writing workshops in Bloor West in: How to Write a Short Story, Character Quest, Screenwriting, Poetry and Prose. Virtual Writing Salon Why choose summer writing camps & workshops? 1. Creative Writing is All About Creativity We’ll inspire you with a wealth of creative writing prompts, exploring science fiction, fantasy, poetry, comedy, play-writing, screenwriting and more. 2. Creative Writing is Good for Emotional Well-being Creative writing is about self-expression, whether you are composing poetry, journalling, plotting a novel or writing flash fiction. When we express ourselves in writing we feel empowered – and unburdened. 3. Creative Writing Camps Offer the Time for Discovery Through the year, teenagers have [...]

Best Summer Arts Camp Near Bloor West Village, Toronto

Centauri Arts offers, week-long arts camp programs for ages 11-17 throughout the summer, virtually and in our Toronto arts studio in Bloor West Village, close to Swansea, The Junction, Baby point and High Park neighborhoods. Our half-day programs run for four hours each day in 2 blocks: 11am to 3.30pm and 4pm to 8.30pm. Immerse yourself in the arts this summer! While we call these ‘day camps’, they focus only on the arts – and they are designed for middle and high school students.  So, if you are thinking "are there any good summer arts camps near me?" YES! We’re offering Creative Writing, Fine Art, Digital Art, Film Making, Acting, Cartoon Creation, Jewellery Making and more. Centauri Arts also offers year round [...]

April 17th, 2024|Camp Blog|

Our 2024 Summer Camp Instructors

Inspirational and experienced professionals who LOVE to teach – this is how we describe the instructors who work with us at Centauri Arts! Most stay with us for years, mentoring the creative young people who take their classes. Here’s just a few of the fabulous arts professionals who will be leading our summer programs this year! Acting Camp Programs Marina Gomes - Acting Instructor Born in Toronto, Marina Gomes is a storyteller who aspires to create work that is innovative, thought provoking and entertaining! A graduate of the University of Windsor BFA-Acting program, Marina has trained with members of the SITI Company, at Stratford, and most recently at the Festival Players Academy. She also had the privilege of being one of Nightwood’s Young Innovators in 2019. Marina [...]

April 8th, 2024|Academy, Camp Blog|

Film Production: Action Adventure Movies

Ages 11-17 Monday 18 August -Friday 22 August 3pm-7.30pm Make a short film in just 5 days! Learn by doing, as you devise your plot, create a storyboard, write the script, scout locations, and film! We’ll work collaboratively in the studio and out in the neighbourhood, creating a movie that will take everyone’s skills to the next level. Learn about lighting, sound, directing, camera work and more as you experience life on set – plus, act on camera if you choose! We’ll screen our movie on the last day, or share it together online, once the editing is done. PROGRAM CALENDAR APPLY NOW! Film Camps - On-Line and in Bloor West Village [...]

Creative Writing: Write a book!

Ages 9-15 Monday 18th August- Friday 22nd August 10am-2.30pm In this fast-paced and varied creative writing program, younger writers get to try it all! You’ll create poems, describe fantasy landscapes, build alien worlds, write true-to-life conflict, devise plots for stories, create screenplays and experiment with words games. Next, you’ll receive your own ‘book’ to fill with your favourite writing pieces. Use art to illustrate your book if you wish, and end up with a wonderful keepsake of your week in writing camp: a bound collection of your own creative writing to share with friends and family. PROGRAM CALENDAR APPLY NOW! Creative Writing Camps - On-Line and in Bloor West Village [...]

The Art of Screenwriting

Ages 11-17 Monday 11 August- Friday 15 August 3pm - 7.30pm In this fast-paced and varied program for writers and filmmakers, you will learn how to structure a story for film and how to create compelling, fast-moving plots. We’ll be teaching you how to outline your screenplay and how to create characters an audience will love (or love to hate!). You’ll write elevator pitches for an original feature film idea and write a short film script. Learn why writing for film relies on strong story and visual impact, as you prepare to pitch your concept in a celebration on the final day. Beginner and experienced writers and filmmaker are all welcome; write by hand or on a device, the choice is yours! PROGRAM [...]

Fine Art: Comic Creations and Cartoon Magic

Ages 9-15 Monday 11th August-Friday 15th August 10am to 2.30pm Are you a fan of superheroes and villains? Do you love making cartoons and comic books? In this exciting art program, you will create landscapes and characters, bringing your own imaginary world to life in comic strips. We’ll teach you all the skills you need to create cartoons in different styles… Anime, Manga, Chibi… but this program is also about building stories and making art YOUR way! Get creative, learn new skills and have fun as you develop your own drawing style and devise the characters, story and landscapes for a comic book all of your own. PROGRAM CALENDAR APPLY NOW! Digital and Fine Art [...]

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