For high school students interested in painting, digital design, photography, or sculpture, art programs and internships provide a structured way to deepen their craft while connecting with industry professionals. Beyond skill-building, these programs offer mentorship, peer collaboration, and portfolio development — key advantages for aspiring artists looking to pursue creative careers or strengthen their college applications.
If you’re ready to work on your portfolio, we’ve compiled a list of 11 art programs + internships for high school students.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)-Art Track
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Art Track is a trimester-long research program designed for high school students interested in art history, visual culture, aesthetics, and interdisciplinary art research. Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Barnard College: Art, Movement, and Performance Program (Global Modernism Course)
Location: Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: April 15
Dates: Classes take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Cost: Residential Tuition: $10,171; Commuter Tuition: $8,160
Subject Areas: Art History, Dance, Visual Arts
Barnard College’s Art, Movement, and Performance Program explores art history, visual arts, and dance. This course offers an in-depth exploration of the evolution of modern art, modernism, and dance as a movement.
As a student, you will explore key themes such as aesthetic categories, formalism, perception, and the dynamic role of the viewer in art. Through a combination of readings, discussions, and visual analysis, you’ll develop a well-rounded understanding of modern art’s progression from various perspectives.
3. Fordham University: New York Exploration of Art History Program
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Applications close in May; for housing, apply by April
Dates: July 21 – July 31
Cost: $3,673 (Commuter) | $4,800 (Residential)
Subject Areas: Art History
Fordham University’s New York Exploration of Art History Program provides high school students with an engaging introduction to the world of art history. Based at Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx, this program transforms New York City into an interactive classroom, leveraging its world-famous museums and galleries.
You will delve into global art from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa, uncovering the cultural and historical influences behind artistic creations. The classes take place at iconic institutions like The Met, where students will develop essential skills in visual literacy and critical analysis. The program also features writing workshops, observation exercises, and research activities, and equips students with the tools to appreciate and analyze art across diverse eras and regions deeply.
4. NYC Summer Arts Institute
Location: Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Queens, NY
Eligibility: NYC Department of Education public school students entering grades 8–12. Admission is selective and requires an application and virtual audition. Students may apply to only one studio.
Application Deadline: February 26
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Cost: Free
Subject Areas: Dance, Theater, Music, Visual Arts
The Summer Arts Institute (SAI) is a free, month-long arts program exclusively for NYC public school students entering grades 8–12. Hosted at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, this intensive program is a collaboration between the NYC Department of Education and prominent arts leaders, including the renowned Tony Bennett.
Designed to broaden access to advanced arts education, SAI equips students with the skills and experiences needed to excel in college and build successful careers in the arts. The program serves around 400 students annually, offering focused training in six disciplines: dance, theater, vocal music, instrumental music, visual arts, and film.
5. High Museum of Art’s Teen Team Program
Location: High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: March 3
Program Dates: One year, starting with an 8-week summer intensive
Cost: Free, with a monthly stipend provided
Subject Areas: Arts, History, Culture, Museum Studies
The Teen Team Program at the High Museum of Art offers a hands-on opportunity for students to dive into art, culture, and history while building critical civic and teamwork skills. You will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the museum, contribute to the planning and execution of Teen Nights and public programs, and deepen your understanding of the museum’s exhibitions and collections. The program kicks off with an immersive summer intensive, where members work on a dedicated project and explore museum careers, collections, and programming.
As part of the Teen Team, you’ll connect with museum staff, arts professionals, and peers, creating a supportive network while sharpening professional skills. This year-round program is not only a valuable experience but also a paid position, making it a unique opportunity for students passionate about art and community engagement.
6. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Location: California State Summer School for the Arts, Sacramento, CA
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8–12
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: July – August
Cost: $4,830 (Need-based scholarships available for California residents)
Subject Areas: Visual Arts, Painting, Digital Media, Sculpture, Photography
CSSSA’s Visual Arts Program immerses students in the world of contemporary art, focused on developing creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills. The curriculum blends hands-on studio work with academic seminars, allowing students to study ceramics, digital media, acrylic painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Core classes, such as figure drawing, design, and “Arts and Culture,” complement studio practice with discussions on the cultural and historical significance of art.
You will also benefit from guest artist workshops, field trips to museums and galleries, and open studio hours for personal exploration. You can view examples of previous work here.
7. City Art Lab
Location: City College of New York, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Applications for Spring will open soon.
Dates: Weekly sessions from mid-February to late May
Cost: Free
Subject Areas: Art Education
City Art Lab, hosted by CCNY’s Art Education Program, is a free after-school arts program designed for community-based projects. Held on the CCNY campus, it provides high school students with a chance to experiment with new materials and techniques under the guidance of practicing artists while connecting with peers who share a passion for art.
You will experience college life, collaborate with graduate students who are training to become art educators and work on developing portfolios. All necessary materials are provided, and the program concludes with a public exhibition where students can showcase their work.
8. Art and Activism in America, Sadie Nash Summer Institute
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive high school students residing in New York City or Newark
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Cost: Free. Participants receive a stipend based on their engagement throughout the summer.
Subject Areas: Art, Identity Studies, Activism
The Sadie Nash Leadership Program offers a summer institute designed for self-identified young women and gender-expansive youth in high school. This program emphasizes leadership development, identity exploration, and activism within a supportive community of peers. You will take part in engaging courses that delve into social justice, identity, and the power of activism.
One of the standout courses, Creating Change: Art and Activism in America, uses multidisciplinary art forms like performance, poetry, storytelling, and public art to explore how creative expression can drive social change. Through this course, you’ll develop critical thinking skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the intersection between art and activism.
9. Art Summer Institute Program, UCLA
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
Application Deadline: June 13 for Session A, June 6 for Session B
Program Dates:
- Session A: Virtual – June 23 – July 5
- Session B: Residential – July 6 – July 19
- Session C: Commuter – July 21– August 1
Cost: Financial aid through the Summer Scholars Support scholarship is available for California students in grades 9–11.
Subject Areas: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and more
The UCLA Department of Art’s Summer Art Institute offers high school students an intensive two-week program with both virtual and in-person options. You can choose from specialized courses in Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Video Art, & Experimental Animation, working closely with UCLA faculty and visiting artists.
The program includes daily studio work, artist lectures, group critiques, and one-on-one meetings to develop technical skills and conceptual understanding. You will also gain insight into contemporary art practices, refining their portfolio through a studio-based curriculum. Students can anticipate a rigorous two-week experience filled with hands-on studio learning, requiring dedication and effort.
10. Summer High School Internships @The Met
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 or 11, or those within two to three years of graduating. Applicants must reside or attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
Application Deadline: March 7
Program Dates: June 21 – August 8
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Subject Areas: Art History, Dance, Visual Arts
The Met High School Internship Program is designed to immerse students in the world of art and museums while developing key professional skills. This free, paid internship allows you to gain hands-on experience at one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions. You will work alongside museum professionals in small groups, exploring areas such as editorial, marketing, education, scientific research, social media, and conservation.
The internship fosters diversity and encourages students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Throughout the program, you can build networks, explore career paths, and gain work experience that can help shape your future in the arts.
11. Museum of Arts and Design Internship: RECESS
Location: Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–18 in NYC
Application Deadline: January 12
Program Dates: RECESS I: February 18 – 21 | RECESS II: April 15 – 18
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend
Subject Areas: Design, Art History, Museum Operations
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York offers the RECESS Internship program for high school students aged 13–18. This intensive, 3-day program allows interns to deepen their understanding of art, art history, and museum operations. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the museum and be trained to design and lead a youth-friendly tour, making art more accessible and engaging for your peers.
You will have the opportunity to interact with museum staff, gaining insight into the inner workings of the museum world and potential careers in the field. RECESS I and II take place during NYC public school winter and spring breaks, respectively.