Youth Summer Programs 2026
Voices of Tomorrow: Visionaries in the Making
Welcome to CFPA’s summer program centered on empowering young people to discover, develop, and amplify their voices through art. Rooted in cultural expression and creative exploration, these programs invites youth to see themselves not only as artists, but as storytellers, leaders, and visionaries shaping the world around them.
Youth learn that their voices matter—that art is a powerful tool for self-expression, connection, and change. In a supportive and inclusive environment, they are guided to take creative risks, honor one another’s stories, and express themselves freely and authentically.
Mural Workshops
Make a mural at CFPA! Mentor with experienced mural-makers Hibaaq Ibrahim from Moonjuice Art and artist Daren Scott Hill, in these one week camps and learn how to both collaboratively envision and create a public mural inside the CFPA. You will learn new painting techniques and get experience on how to structure and incorporate community input in this collaborative workshop. Select one or all three weeks - each week will produce a different mural. Final celebration will take place at the CFPA’s fall festival Sept 18th.
Three 1-week sessions: July 13-17; July 20-24; July 27-31 , 2026.
9:00am - 3:00pm
Ages: 12-15
No cost. Limited Registration.
Summer Theater Camp
Led by Speaking Out Collective’s Laura Mann-Hill, this 3-week camp will explore story-making and character development through participants’ own cultural heritage and folklore, culminating in an original ensemble performance shared with the community.
3 weeks, June 15 - July 3, 2026
9:00am - 4:00pm ( Aftercare Options Available)
Ages: 8-12
$975. *Scholarships available.
Leadership Contact: Managing Director Luis Ruis. Luis@cfpampls.com
This work is funded in part by MHC with money from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
INSTRUCTORS:
Mural Camp Instructor Weeks 1 and 3: Hibaaq Ibrahim: As a mural artist, Hibaaq’s work revolves around her fascination with the intersection of nature and architecture. She is deeply intrigued by the ways in which human-made structures often echo the forms and patterns found in the natural world. Through her large-scale murals, she aims to immerse viewers in scenes that mimic the feeling of being in nature. moonjuicemurals.com
Mural Camp Instructor Week 2: Daren Scott Hill : Artist explores complexity in form, creative decision-making and celebrates the creative process. Through multiple art forms, including painting, murals, sculpture, photography, and digital art. His work echoes the myriad interactions that make up our reality and seeks to balance the relationship between artist, subject, and art object. The Minneapolis-born artist moved to Brooklyn in 2006, where he started writing about art, music, and entertainment as a contributing writer for the Source Magazine. His work has been featured on album covers, in the City Pages, KFAI's Politics and Culture show, Catalyst as well as numerous art exhibitions in the Midwest and East Coast. In addition to his solo art projects, Daren promotes community development through the creation of large murals. By building relationships with members of the community he can share their unique expressions, interests, stories, and identity within public spaces.
Theater Camp Instructor Laura Mann-Hill: Laura is a director, playwright, performer, educator, and Speaking Out Collective teaching artist. After directing youth theatre in a New York City public school for almost a decade, she returned to the Twin Cities. She is passionate about the power of storytelling to make change and build connections between communities. She has facilitated multidisciplinary art programs as a teaching artist, performer, and administrator for various organizations Art to Change the World, Children’s Theatre Company, Hamline University's Social Justice Theatre Troupe, Million Artist Movement, and the Language Attitude Institute. In addition to teaching theatre at Whittier International Elementary, some of her most recent projects include Co-Directing Lakeshore Players’ 20th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival and the world premiere of the play Diamond Dreams: The Legacy of Toni Stone at Youth Performance Company. Laura is thrilled to return for her second summer of teaching youth with the Center for Performing Arts. Laura holds a B.A. in English from Hamline University and a Masters in teaching from PACE University.