If you’re a high school student serious about sharpening your artistic skills, consider joining an art camp this summer. Many summer art camps give you the kind of focused, hands-on training that regular school courses rarely provide. These programs are built around intensive studio time, whether that’s drawing, painting, digital illustration, mixed media, photography, sculpture, or design. This means you’ll spend your days actually creating, experimenting with tools, and learning professional techniques from practicing artists.
Why choose a camp?
Unlike broader pre-college programs, art camps are shorter, deliberately structured, and often centered on one discipline. That means you can go deep into a specific craft, develop a stronger portfolio, and understand what sustained creative practice feels like without committing to a full multi-week college curriculum. They’re also a great testing ground if you’re exploring an art or design-related major and want to build technical strength before applying.
Below, you’ll find 15 of the best summer art camps for high school students. You can also check our blog on popular art summer programs.
15 Best Summer Art Camps for High School Students
1. NYU High School Summer Art Intensive
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $7,360; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 15 (International + Financial Aid); March 1 (Regular Decision)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 with demonstrated interest in studio and fine arts; Portfolio required
The NYU Summer Art Intensive offers structured training across digital art, painting, and sculpture, with a focus on building a technically strong portfolio. You’ll work in NYU’s studios with department faculty, using tools like laser cutters, textile processes, digital drawing software, and traditional media to expand your range across both analog and computational art-making. Because the coursework is split into studio classes, independent evening studio hours, and a seminar on New York’s contemporary art ecosystem, you’ll get exposure to both technique and the context of professional art practice. You’ll also analyze museum and gallery exhibitions to understand how artists construct work for real-world audiences.
2. SAIC Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI)
Location: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Varies by session; Financial assistance available
Program Dates: Multiple 1-week and multi-week studio sessions from June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling (until classes fill)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18 who have completed their sophomore year
ECPSI provides college-level studio training that allows you to develop a comprehensive portfolio across a variety of disciplines, including painting, drawing, illustration, graphic design, fashion, animation, photography, architecture, and digital media. You’ll work directly with SAIC faculty using software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, digital drawing tools, DSLR photography workflows, and animation platforms, depending on your chosen studio. Because each week earns you college credit, the program pushes you into structured critique cycles, technical demonstrations, and iterative studio practices. You’ll also work inside SAIC’s museum spaces, using historical and contemporary works as references for your own visual problem-solving. If you want an intensive environment where you produce a full body of work under professional guidance, this program offers one of the strongest pre-college art experiences in the country.
3. RISD Pre-College
Location: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Cost: Typically $10,000 – $11,000; Scholarships offered
Program Dates: June 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 5 – January 30; First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
RISD Pre-College offers a comprehensive undergraduate-level studio program, including courses in drawing, design fundamentals, your chosen major, and critical studies. You’ll work with RISD faculty in high-demand studio spaces, using discipline-specific tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, digital drawing tablets, woodworking tools, sculpture equipment, textile labs, darkrooms, and animation software, depending on your major. The curriculum is built around long-form projects, critiques, and iterative revisions, so you’ll develop both technical execution and conceptual thinking at a college level. You’ll also build a portfolio under faculty guidance, which includes observational drawing, design assignments, and carry out major-specific work such as industrial design prototypes, animations, illustration pieces, architectural models, or fashion construction.
4. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Art Program
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Varies by duration and format (see here)
Program Dates: 3-Week: June 20 – July 11; 6-Week: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early: February 1; Final: March 1
Eligibility: High school students between 10th-11th or 11th-12th grade; Must be 16 by June 20
This program provides in-depth exposure to studio practice through courses in drawing, concept studio, mixed media, digital tools, and Friday specialty workshops. As a participant, you’ll refine both technical fundamentals and conceptual development while working with CMU School of Art faculty in small-group studio environments. Projects often integrate digital workflows such as Adobe Creative Cloud, tablet-based drawing, digital imaging, and experimental media, depending on your chosen classes. You’ll also participate in critiques that mirror undergraduate BFA formats, strengthening your ability to articulate process, evaluate work, and iterate based on feedback.
5. The Cooper Union Summer Art Intensive
Location: The Cooper Union, New York, NY
Cost: $4,350 – $4,500; Scholarships offered
Program Dates: July 13 – August 6
Application Deadline: Typically opens in December
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores to seniors (ages 15-18)
The Cooper Union’s Summer Art Intensive allows you to choose a concentration in Drawing, Animation, Painting, Graphic Design, or Studio Practice (for rising seniors), giving you a structured studio environment supported by Cooper Union faculty and undergraduate teaching assistants. You’ll work with both traditional media and digital tools, such as animation software, digital illustration workflows, and graphic design platforms, depending on your track. Daily studio sessions, project-based assignments, and frequent critiques help you refine your technical skills while also strengthening your concept development and visual problem-solving skills. You’ll also get to participate in weekly workshops, field trips to museums and studios, and visiting-artist sessions that expose you to the New York art ecosystem.
6. Parsons Paris Summer Pre-College
Location: The New School, New York, NY (held at Parsons Paris, Paris, France)
Cost: $9,999
Program Dates: June 27 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school ising juniors, rising seniors, and recent graduates (ages 16-18)
Hosted by The New School, this program allows you to choose specialized studio courses in areas like drawing, painting, fashion photography, fashion design, portfolio preparation, and design management. You’ll work with Parsons Paris faculty in a structured studio environment, gaining hands-on experience with both traditional media and digital design workflows depending on your chosen course. Assignments emphasize technical skill development, such as composition, color theory, garment construction fundamentals, digital imaging, or concept-driven design, while pushing you to build a portfolio aligned with global art and design school expectations. Being located in central Paris also means daily exposure to museums, architecture, and fashion districts, giving you direct reference material for studio projects and visual research.
7. NYU Tisch Summer High School Program
Location: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY
Cost: Varies; Scholarships available
Program Dates: 4 weeks (exact dates vary by track)
Application Deadline: December 1 (priority)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors worldwide; Must meet age requirements; Portfolio or creative samples required, depending on track
This four-week residential program lets you choose from intensive artistic tracks such as Animation, Filmmaking, Photography & Imaging, Game Design, Production & Design, Dance, Drama, Dramatic Writing, or Recorded Music. Across all tracks, you’ll work in professional-grade environments using software and tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, DSLR and mirrorless camera systems, 3D modeling platforms, Unity for game design, motion capture setups, lighting consoles, sound editing software, and industry-standard film production equipment. The curriculum mirrors Tisch’s undergraduate structure with daily studio classes, critiques, technical workshops, and collaborative projects that build both conceptual and craft-based skills. You’ll complete a capstone project, such as a short film, animation sequence, staged design portfolio, photographic series, or game prototype, and present your work during the final showcase.
8. SCAD Rising Star
Location: Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah or Atlanta, GA
Cost: Varies by location
Program Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application Deadline: Opens September 1; Apply at least 30 days before the program start
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
During the SCAD Rising Star program, you’ll take part in two college-level art and design courses, gaining hands-on experience within SCAD studios, labs, and production suites, utilizing professional-grade tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, digital drawing tablets, and 3D modeling software. You’ll also have access to fibers and textile equipment and industry-standard photography or film gear, depending on your chosen classes. The curriculum emphasizes foundational studio training, like drawing, 2D/3D design, and color theory, paired with major-specific electives that mirror first-year BFA coursework. You’ll receive structured critiques from SCAD faculty, build a portfolio through multi-week assignments, and learn how to manage college-style studio workloads.
9. Interlochen Arts Camp High School Visual Arts Summer Program
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Cost: $2,050 (1-week programs); $7,265 (3-week programs)
Program Dates: Multiple 1-week and 3-week sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling until programs fill
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12
This program gives you intensive studio training in drawing, painting, mixed media, and optional tracks like comics, animation, fashion, or portfolio preparation. You’ll work in professional art studios and digital labs using software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and digital drawing tablets. You’ll also work with traditional materials for observational and experimental work. Daily studio blocks and structured critiques help you refine mark-making, composition, color foundations, and visual narrative construction depending on your chosen focus. You’ll also have access to visiting artists and faculty-led demonstrations, plus museum-style exhibition opportunities at the end of the session.
10. Cornell University’s Art as Experience (High School Summer Art Program)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by credits
Program Dates: June 23 – July 11; July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: May – June
Eligibility: High school students worldwide seeking credit-bearing studio art courses
This program lets you build a portfolio through studio courses covering drawing, collage, digital photography, video installation, sound, interactive media, sculpture, and transmedia art. Instructors will train you in tools like DSLR workflows, digital file management, Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom, audio recorders, physical computing boards, and basic programming for interactive media. Daily critiques and project-driven assignments push you to develop both technical craft and conceptual thinking as you explore multiple artistic media. You’ll also engage with guest artists, virtual lab sessions, readings, and iterative studio exercises that help you articulate artistic intent and produce a cohesive body of work.
11. MIAD Summer Pre-College Program (Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design)
Location: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: Core Studio: $2,060 (commuter), $2,870 (residential); Advanced Studio: $2,530 (commuter), $3,790 (residential)
Program Dates: Core Studio Concepts: July 13 – 24; Advanced Studio Concepts: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling; Portfolio due April 1 for the Advanced track
Eligibility: High school students; Advanced track requires a 10-image portfolio
MIAD Summer Pre-College places you in intensive studio coursework where you’ll work on drawing, painting, sculpture, illustration, digital media, or other selected studio areas, depending on your track. The Advanced Studio track mirrors a true college foundation course, allowing you to earn three college credits while using tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, digital drawing tablets, 3D modeling or sculptural materials, and mixed-media processes based on your chosen class. Both tracks emphasize technical development through structured assignments, critiques, and iterative project workflows that help you build a strong portfolio. Supplies and materials are included, enabling you to dive immediately into studio production. As a residential student, you’ll get extended access to MIAD’s facilities for additional work time.
12. Cleveland Institute of Art Pre-College Program
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
Cost: 2-week: $3,100 (resident), $2,450 (commuter); 4-week: $5,950 (resident), $4,800 (commuter); Scholarships available
Program Dates: Session 1: July 5 – 17; Session 2: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Priority (scholarships): February 2; Final: June 1
Eligibility: High school students; Portfolio required for merit scholarships (5-8 artworks)
CIA Pre-College lets you train in specialized studio areas such as animation, illustration, game design, drawing, digital painting, fashion, product design, and glass or jewelry. You’ll work in professional studios using tools like Wacom Cintiqs, Adobe Creative Cloud, digital sculpting or rendering software, and traditional media for high-accuracy observational work. Each class uses college-level assignments, critiques, and iterative project development to help you build a strong, portfolio-ready body of work. If you’re opting for the for-credit track, you will complete graded coursework that mirrors first-year BFA foundations, while the residential option provides extended studio time for deeper experimentation.
13. Academy of Art University Pre-College Art & Design Experience (PCADE)
Location: Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer Session: June 15 – 24 (onsite); Online classes: January – March, September – October
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; No portfolio required
This program offers structured, college-level training across animation, illustration, character design, fashion design, photography, fine art, filmmaking, and game design. You’ll work with practicing artists using tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, industry-standard illustration software, digital cameras, and traditional studio materials to complete intensive project-based assignments. The two-week summer format includes daily studio blocks, critiques, and a final exhibition, where your work is showcased. You can choose up to two classes per term, and optional weekend outings help you build design references and observational skills.
14. Syracuse University Summer College: On-Campus Art & Design Courses
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: Varies by format; Scholarships available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling (varies by course)
Eligibility: High school rising sophomores for noncredit and rising juniors for credit courses (15+); Must have a GPA higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; Some art courses may require a portfolio
Syracuse University’s Summer College offers a dedicated track of art and design courses, including studio art, illustration, fashion design, architecture foundations, animation, and digital media, taught by faculty from Syracuse’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. You’ll follow a structured studio schedule, work in professional facilities, and build skills using tools such as digital drawing tablets, Adobe Creative Suite, DSLR cameras, and traditional studio materials. Each course culminates in a final exhibition, critique, or portfolio review, giving you tangible work samples for college applications. Outside of class, you’ll live in a residence hall, use campus studios, and participate in events and field trips.
15. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Location: CalArts, Valencia, CA
Cost: $5,174 (CA Applicants); $10,475 (Out-of-State and International Applicants); Financial aid is available for CA applicants
Program Dates: July 4 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 28
Eligibility: High school students; Portfolio or audition required, depending on the department
CSSSA is a four-week, college-level arts conservatory hosted at CalArts, where you can major in areas like visual arts, animation, digital media, photography, painting, illustration, or figure drawing. The program places you in intensive studio blocks with practicing artists and requires daily critique, iterative revision, and technical skill development using tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Cintiq tablets, DSLR cameras, and traditional drawing/painting media. You’ll work on structured projects like storyboarding, sequential art, mixed-media pieces, observational drawing, and installation design, and receive critiques aligned with undergraduate BFA standards. The program culminates in a public exhibition or screening, giving you a polished portfolio of work created under professional studio conditions.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Syracuse University