Summer art programs for high school students provide an opportunity to explore creative fields, develop technical skills, and work with industry-standard tools. Whether engaging with fine arts, digital design, or animation, these programs allow you to gain first-hand experience, learn new techniques, and prepare for college-level research programs and internships!
We’ve listed 15 solid summer art programs for high school students below – check it out!
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program – Art / Design Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like environmental science, machine learning, social media, political theory, biology, and more. You can choose between quantitative or qualitative research.
After selecting a subject track, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university to guide you in creating a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted to journals for publication. The program also provides a recommendation letter and detailed project feedback to support future work and college applications. Apply now!
Subject Areas: Art.
Location: Virtual.
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar – June 24- September 2.
- Fall seminar – October 23 – February 19.
- Must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Cost: You can contact here for more information.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA). Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details can be found here.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines depending on the cohorts.
2. UCLA Summer Art Institute
The Summer Art Institute offers three sessions—two in-person and one virtual—focused on intensive studio work, artist lectures, group critiques, and one-on-one faculty meetings. Over two weeks, you’ll delve into your chosen medium, explore various media techniques, and engage with contemporary art practices under the guidance of UCLA faculty and visiting artists.
Courses include Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Video Art & Experimental Animation, each focusing on skill-building and creativity. The program’s focus on portfolio development can support college applications. Learn more about the courses here.
Subject Areas: Drawing, photography, sculpture, and video art.
Location: Virtual, in-person, and commuter programs take place at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Program Dates:
- Session A (Virtual) – June 23– July 5.
- Session B (In-person/Mandatory Housing) – July 6– July 19.
- Session C (In-person/Commuter) – July 21– August 1.
Cost: You can calculate an estimate here
Eligibility: High school students.
Application Deadline:
- Session A & C: June 13.
- Session B: June 6.
3. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) – Pre-College Residential Summer Immersive
At RISD Pre-College, you’ll spend five weeks engaging in college-level studio classes, critiques, and projects, experiencing life as a RISD undergraduate. The program includes visits to the Nature Lab and RISD Museum and courses modeled after RISD’s first-year Experimental and Foundation Studies.
Your schedule features two seven-hour days of Foundation Studies, two full days in your chosen Major, and a half-day of Critical Studies in Art, with evenings for homework and activities. Foundation courses in Drawing, Design, and Critical Studies build core skills, while 12 weekly hours in your Major focus on a specific art or design area. The program ends with a public exhibition of your work.
Subject Areas: Fine arts, animation, ceramics, fashion design, game design, jewelry, and photography. Check the full list here.
Location: Rhode Island School of Design, RI.
Program Dates: Runs for five weeks, from June 28–August 2.
Cost:
- Residential program: $12,095.
- Commuter program: $9300.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors.
Application Deadline: The application window usually falls between late January and early February.
4. Parsons Summer Academy
Parsons Summer Academy offers two-week, in-person art and design courses at its Greenwich Village campus. You’ll work on hands-on projects to develop creative thinking, technical skills, and collaboration, with an option to build a fine art or design portfolio. Courses also count toward the Parsons Academy Certificate Program.
Guided by Parsons faculty, you’ll explore various art and design disciplines, using industry-standard tools like Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for fashion and graphic design. Small classes include personalized and group critiques, with options to focus on areas like animation or digital photography.
Subject Areas: Digital video and photography, illustration, animation, accessory design, graphic design, product design, and drawing.
Location: Parsons’ NYC campus.
Program Dates: Summer Academy dates are July 29 – August 9.
Cost: $1,580 plus fees. Limited scholarships are offered.
Eligibility: High school students.
Application Deadline: July 15, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
5. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) offers high school students a pre-professional program in visual and performing arts, creative writing, animation, and film. Participants choose from seven departments and earn 3 units of California State University elective credit upon completion.
In Animation, you’ll study techniques and use tools like Toon Boom and Maya under industry professionals. The Dance program focuses on ballet, modern, jazz, choreography, and history. Film students gain production experience by collaborating to create short films. Visual Arts explores media such as figure drawing, sculpture, and digital art. Theater develops acting skills through voice, movement, and physical theater. Writing provides personalized instruction in poetry, fiction, and scriptwriting, with input from guest writers and industry experts.
Subject Areas: Animation, dance, music, visual arts, theater, and film.
Location: California State Summer School for the Arts, CA.
Program Dates: July 5 – August 1.
Cost: Some need-based financial aid is available.
- CA State Residents – $4,830.
- Out-of-State and International Students – $9,977.
Eligibility: High school students.
Application Deadline: Applications for the current cohort open soon.
6. Summer of Art Program – Otis College of Art and Design
The Summer of Art is a program where you can develop your artistic skills and explore art and design pathways. Courses include hands-on learning, lectures, and critiques in Drawing Studios or Specializations, earning you 1–2 college credits. Taught by professionals, the program offers insight into the lives of working artists and concludes with a gallery exhibition of your work.
Drawing Studios focuses on fundamental skills like hand-eye coordination, while Specializations delve into areas such as fashion, painting, photography, and digital media. You can opt for a full 5-day schedule or choose flexible 2-day and 3-day options.
Subject Areas: Animation, music, etc.
Location: Otis College of Art and Design, CA.
Program Dates: July 7–August 1.
Cost: $6,990 before April 25 and $7,190 after April 25.
Eligibility: High school students.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in June.
7. Pratt Institute – Summer PreCollege
High school students can spend four weeks at Pratt’s Brooklyn campus, taking courses in art, design, architecture, or creative writing.
The program includes two studio courses led by Pratt faculty, utilizing professional equipment and studios. Disciplines range from traditional drawing and painting to modern design with tools like Rhino for 3D modeling. The experience concludes with a Final Exhibition, where you’ll showcase your work to peers, instructors, and visitors. Art history guidance is also provided to build a theoretical foundation.
Subject Areas: Modern design, traditional drawing.
Location: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn.
Program Dates: Four weeks from July 8 – Friday, August 2.
Cost:
- Residential Student fees: $7441.
- Commuter Student fees: $5,260.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and no older than 18 years at the time of applying.
Application Deadline: April 14.
8. Carnegie Mellon – Pre-College Art Program
Carnegie Mellon University offers many pre-college summer programs to High School Students. This is one such program that combines traditional tools and advanced technologies in a college-level studio setting to help you refine your conceptual and technical skills for future art studies and careers. The curriculum, divided into two sessions, focuses on personal, non-medium-specific approaches to artmaking. You’ll explore themes such as self, space, and systems, with assignments designed to improve your creative process and preparation for college-level art programs.
Subject Areas: Drawing, sculpture, digital photography, and printmaking.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, PA.
Program Dates: Six weeks, from June 21 to August 2.
Cost:
- Residential program cost – $11,392.
- Commuter program cost – $8,438.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors.
Application Deadline: February 1.
9. School of Visual Arts (SVA) – Pre-College Program
SVA’s Pre-College Program allows you to explore art and design, focusing on digital tools like Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and Adobe Animate for 2D animation. Whether you live on campus or commute, the program includes extracurriculars like museum visits, Broadway shows, and city tours, providing exposure to New York City’s culture. Small classes of around 20 students offer personalized feedback, helping you build your portfolio and prepare for visual arts college.
Subject Areas: Animation, advertising, graphic design, film-making, sculpture, and photography.
Location: School of Visual Arts, NY.
Program Dates: July 7 to July 25.
Cost: $3,250, with some need-based financial aid.
Eligibility: Students entering their freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the fall of the chosen cohort.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
10. NYU Tisch – Summer High School Program
The NYU Tisch Summer High School Residential Program, spread over four weeks, provides a pre-college experience for high school sophomores and juniors worldwide. It offers classes that include projects, professional training, and collaborative assignments, allowing you to earn four to six college credits. You’ll work with tools like Avid Media Composer for film editing and Unity for game design.
The program, suitable for those pursuing careers in media, film, and interactive design, concludes with a presentation of your work for family and friends. Participants live on campus in NYU housing in either Greenwich Village or Brooklyn, depending on their study area.
Subject Areas: Dance, dramatic writing, filmmaking, photography, and imaging, or recorded music.
Location: Tisch School of the Arts, NY.
Program Dates: July 6 – August 25.
Cost: $7,664 to $11,496, depending on the program track. Need-based financial aid is available.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors.
Application Deadline: December 2.
11. Savannah College of Art and Design – Summer Seminars
SCAD’s summer seminars offer hands-on art and design experience, helping you develop your creative vision through projects, workshops, and local field trips. You’ll use the university’s resources and work with SCAD professors, alumni, and graduate students in small classes of around 20 participants.
The workshops include demonstrations, lectures, and studio sessions, with individualized attention and opportunities for collaboration. Daily social and cultural activities will give you a true sense of life as a SCAD student.
Subject Areas: 3D modeling, animation, painting, graphic design, game design, advertising, photography, and fashion
Location: Two locations – SCAD Savannah and Atlanta campuses.
Program Dates: Between June and July.
Cost: Registration fee of $100. The on-campus program costs $1,820, commuting participant program costs $1,508.
Eligibility: High school students.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
12. National Gallery of Art – Summer Internship
This summer internship at the National Gallery offers an opportunity to work on digital curation projects while studying art history. You’ll gain hands-on experience and learn about the role of art in society and how exhibitions are created.
Interns assist with research, exhibition planning, educational initiatives, and visitor engagement. You may also help with operations, digital projects, and conservation tasks. Weekly sessions with staff and curators provide insight into the gallery’s functions and opportunities to network with professionals and fellow interns.
Subject Areas: Art history, and museum studies.
Location: Hybrid.
Program Dates: June 10 to August 9
Cost: There is no cost. stipend of $25.26 per hour.
Eligibility: High school students.
Application Deadline: February 29.
13. Bloomberg Arts Internship Program
Bloomberg Philanthropies offers high school students in five cities the chance to intern with local arts and cultural organizations. The program focuses on work readiness and includes college preparation. As an intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience in arts administration, including exhibition planning, marketing, and event coordination, while receiving mentorship and career advice.
Subject Areas: Art and culture.
Location: Vary based on your allocation.
Program Dates: June 19 – August 16(tentative)
Cost: No cost.
Eligibility: NYC high schools that are at least 16 years old.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
14. Museum of Arts and Design Teen Programs: Artslife
Artslife is a 6-week program that combines art, design, leadership development, museum studies, and community involvement. You’ll explore various museum careers, including Curatorial, Education, Development, Marketing, Visitor Services, Security, and Registrar.
The program begins with a week of team building and museum orientation, followed by five weeks of collaborative projects, art creation, and visits to cultural institutions. Mentorship from museum staff, designers, and arts professionals is a focus of the program.
Subject Areas: Art, design, and museum studies.
Location: Museum of Arts and Design, NY.
Program Dates: July 9 – August 16,(tentative).
Stipend: $16/hour.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors.
Application Deadline: April 21.
15. Sotheby’s Art History Program
Sotheby’s Institute of Art offers an Art History program for high school students interested in global art and architecture. Through lectures, guided tours of New York’s top museums, and discussions with professionals, you’ll explore influential masterpieces and their impact on art history.
You’ll study various cultures and periods, including Egyptian, pre-Columbian, Chinese, Japanese, Islamic art, and the Impressionist and Modernist movements. Iconic institutions visited include The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Guggenheim, The Frick Collection, and more.
Subject Areas: Global art and architecture.
Location: Various museums in NY, specific location depends on your allocation.
Program Dates: July 6 – July 18 for Cohort 1 and July 20 – August 1 for Cohort 2
Cost: $5,935 (day program) | $7,265 (residential program). Financial aid available
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years of age at the time of applying.
Application Deadline: February 26.
