The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is officially inviting young artists to take center stage. Registration is now open for the 2026 summer session of NJPAC Arts Education programs, featuring full-day immersions designed to cultivate confidence and independence in students ages 9–18.
This year’s summer camp runs from July 13 – 31, 2026, while the signature TD Jazz for Teens Summer Intensive is scheduled for July 27 – August 1, 2026.
“In our summer programs, young artists learn essential performing arts skills,” says Jennifer Tsukayama, Vice President of NJPAC Arts Education. “But we also teach them to value their life experiences and to use the power of the arts to discover who they are.”
A Focus on the “Whole Child”
Distinguishing itself from traditional camps, NJPAC embeds a social worker into its Arts Education programs to support both students and their families. Taught by professional, actively working artists, the student-led curriculum ensures that every participant is treated as an informed young person with a unique voice.
TD Jazz for Teens: A Global Standard
Led by GRAMMY® Award-winning alto saxophonist Mark Gross, the TD Jazz for Teens Summer Intensive offers an elite artistic vocabulary in music theory, improvisation, and arrangement. A highlight of the 2026 session includes a trip to the legendary Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island from July 31 – August 1.
2026 Program Locations & Fees
While NJPAC undergoes a massive 12-acre campus redevelopment, programs will be hosted at the following Newark locations:
- NJPAC Summer Camp: 31 Mulberry Street and 1 Center Street.
- TD Jazz for Teens Intensive: Rutgers University’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall (15 Washington Street).
| Program | Dates | Fee |
| NJPAC Summer Camp | July 13 – 31 | $900 |
| TD Jazz for Teens Intensive | July 27 – Aug 1 | $400 |
Note: No student is turned away for financial reasons; financial aid is available.
Looking Toward 2027: The Cooperman Center
The current three-week session structure is a temporary adjustment as the Arts Center prepares for the 2027 opening of the Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center. This 58,000-square-foot facility will feature 12 multipurpose classrooms and a 175-seat education lab, serving as the permanent hub for NJPAC’s social impact initiatives.
