For high school students interested in art, programs in the field can help you explore art, music, fashion, writing, and other creative fields. Through art programs and camps, you will receive training from professionals and gain access to studios, resources, and supportive environments to refine your skills. You will spend the summer exploring art theory while simultaneously practicing and enhancing your artistic abilities. You will work on projects, start building your portfolio, perform or present your work, and collaborate with other talented peers.
Why should you choose Florida for art?
Florida is home to many cultural institutions, universities, and creative communities that offer high school students learning experiences in the arts, making it a great place to find art programs. The programs in the state are run by institutions that take art seriously, giving you easy access to learning environments that mirror real artistic careers. Another key advantage is that Florida offers programs across fine, applied, performing, and digital arts, catering to diverse interests and skill levels. The state’s programs also welcome instructors, artists, and mentors from across the country, providing you with exposure to diverse perspectives and styles.
To help you get started, here are 15 summer art opportunities for high school students in Florida.
If you want to dive into art theory through research, check out our curated list of art research programs in the U.S. here. If you are looking for art internships across the country, you can check out our list here.
15 Summer Art Opportunities for High School Students in Florida
1. PreCollege @ Ringling
Location: Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
Cost: Application fee of $55 + $5,345 for commuters or $7,480 residential students; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – July 18
Application deadline: May 1 or when the program is full, whichever comes first
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders, ages 16 to 18
Ringling College of Art and Design offers a rigorous four-week pre-college program for high school students interested in art and design careers. You can choose from various tracks, including Creative Coding for Artists and Designers, Creative Writing: Stories and Scripts, 2D Motion Graphics, Traditional Animation, Virtual Reality Development, Computer Animation: 3D Animation, Film: Production, and Game Design. The program allows you to attend core classes and specialized sessions based on your chosen track, along with studio sessions. Additionally, you will spend your time developing your portfolio and exploring new creative techniques. At the end, you will earn three elective college credits for your participation.
2. USF Art of Filmmaking Camp
Location: University of South Florida (USF) Fine Arts Building, Tampa, FL
Cost: $795
Cohort size: 20 students/year
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 13 – 17
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12
USF runs a variety of camps for elementary, middle, and high school students. The Art of Filmmaking Camp is a week-long summer opportunity to explore the fundamentals of filmmaking, including sound, camera work, lighting, and editing, and work on digital projects. As a participant, you will learn from visual artists and work with peers to develop short films, learning how to develop strong visual narratives using professional tools and techniques. Instruction covers real-world production workflows, helping you build technical skills and creative abilities essential for film, media, and digital storytelling. The camp ends with a public screening of your work, allowing you to present your film and receive feedback.
3. Arts for Learning ArtWorks Internships
Location: MDC Koubek Center, Miami, FL
Stipend: $13.00/hour paid for a maximum of 180 hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the role
Dates: Six weeks in June – July
Application deadline: TBA; application opens in the spring
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who are at least 14 years old, are Florida residents, and meet the I-9 work eligibility requirements
ArtWorks is a paid summer internship program designed for students interested in learning from artists in professional artspaces and gaining exposure to the arts sector. As an intern, you will take on a role in visual art, dance and theatre, music production, creative writing, animation, film, or architecture, and work alongside Arts for Learning staff. Your daily tasks will focus on the making/production of art. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside some artists and build soft skills that are essential in the workplace.
4. MOCA Teen Art Force
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three sessions spread across September 2 – May 29; a minimum commitment of 25 after-school classes required
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 to 18, who are Miami-Dade residents
Run by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Teen Art Force is an after-school year-round program designed to help high school students build a strong foundation across different art disciplines. You will attend at least 25 after-school classes across the three sessions to explore disciplines like design, drawing, sculpture, digital art, and printmaking. Additionally, visits to art institutions, hands-on work on service projects, and portfolio-building are part of the experience. During the program, you will gain a deeper understanding of how a museum works. You may also get to display your artwork at MOCA.
5. Ringling’s PreCollege Discovery
Location: Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
Cost: $2,375; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions from June 21 to July 17
Application deadline: May 31 or when the courses are full
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders, ages 15 – 18
Ringling’s PreCollege Discovery program is an opportunity for high schoolers planning to pursue an art degree to gain insights into the college curriculum. As a participant, you will take college-level classes with the program’s syllabus mimicking the different majors you will study in college later. You can choose sessions focusing on disciplines like concept art, filmmaking, animation, cinematography, visual storytelling, drawing, and logo design. You will also live on campus, engaging in recreational and social activities and accessing college resources.
6. New College of Florida’s Summer Scholars Program: Creative Writing Track
Location: New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 21 – 26
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders
The New College of Florida’s Summer Scholars Program is an opportunity to explore various STEAM disciplines and gain exposure to the institute’s liberal arts curricula. You can join the Creative Writing track that covers writing basics through hands-on exercises and instruction. Here, you will attend discussion sessions run by experts and participate in writing exercises. In the process, you will get to refine your creative writing skills and qualify for the chance to publish your creative piece at the end of the program. You will also have the opportunity to earn merit-based scholarships to New College.
7. Orlando Museum of Art’s Summer Art Camp
Location: Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL
Cost: Museum member pricing: $255 for the full-day weeklong program or $62 – $155 for the half-day one-week program | Non-member pricing: $280 for the full-day weeklong program or $102 – $170 for the half-day weeklong program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: One week before the first day of the chosen session
Dates: Multiple sessions—June 9 – 13 | June 23 – 27 | July 7 – 11 | July 21 – 25; check session details here
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
The Orlando Museum of Art runs a variety of art camps for K-12 students during the summer. At the high school level is the Summer Art Camp experience, which includes studio-style classes designed to help you explore various media and art forms. At camp, you will draw, paint, and work with mixed media and build your portfolio. You will draw inspiration from gallery exhibitions to come up with a unique art project that highlights your skills. The theme and scheduled activities vary by year.
8. Artis–Naples Music Makers Youth Chamber Camp
Location: Artis—Naples, Naples, FL
Cost: $350; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application deadline: May 8; the camp accepts applications after the deadline if spaces are still available.
Eligibility: Students, ages 12 – 18; applicants must submit a video audition along with the application if they are not part of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Artis–Naples, a multidisciplinary organization, hosts a week-long camp for students interested in developing performance skills. Here, you will dive into instrumental music lessons, chamber music rehearsals, coaching sessions, and group activities led by musicians of the Naples Philharmonic and Associate Conductor Manuel López-Gómez. You will spend the week learning from experienced musicians and practicing for a final performance. On the last day of camp, you will perform live on stage at the Daniels Pavilion.
9. Jazz Ensemble Camp @ Florida State University
Location: Florida State University College of Music, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $372 for day campers | $570 for overnight campers; discounts available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 7 – 13
Application deadline: Not specified; registration opens on January 20.
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who have learned an instrument for at least six months; the camp is not open for students who play the clarinet, flute, or vocal jazz
This one-week camp allows you to dive into performance arts focused on jazz. Your daily schedule will consist of practical sessions where you join a big band and a small troupe and theoretical sessions that cover the fundamentals of jazz. The syllabus will cover topics such as improvisation, technique, effective practice, and jazz history. Jam sessions, social activities, faculty/staff concerts, and interactions with the Florida State University’s Music Admissions team are also part of the experience. At the end of the camp, you will participate in two final performances—the combos concert and the big bands concert, both of which are open to family members.
10. FGCU High School Summer Vocal Camp
Location: Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music & the Arts, Fort Myers, FL
Cost: $380 for day campers | $580 for overnight campers; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 17
Application deadline: July 5
Eligibility: High school students
This vocal camp, run by FGCU’s Bower School of Music & the Arts, is a weeklong opportunity to dive into music theory and practice singing. You will attend daily singing practice sessions while learning theoretical concepts under the instruction of FGCU faculty. You will be assigned to one of three tracks (Green, Blue, or Gray) and attend classes in sight-singing, diction, music theory, conducting, and world drumming within each track. A key feature of the camp is access to individual 30-minute voice lessons led by the Bowler School of Music’s head of vocal studies. The camp ends with a final concert, where you will perform with peers.
11. Istituto Marangoni Miami’s Pre-College Program: Fashion Summer Camp
Location: Istituto Marangoni Miami campus, Miami, FL
Cost: Domestic Students: $3,000 | International Students: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: February 5
Dates: June 1 – 12 | June 15 – 26th | June 29 – July 10 | July 13 – 24 | July 27 – August 7
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18
Istituto Marangoni Miami, a design school, offers pre-college programs for high school students interested in fashion design. The Fashion Summer Camp is a two-week in-person program covering the basics of styling, design, and the business of fashion. Here, you will work on refining your fashion drawing skills and techniques and learn how to create garments. You will also engage in activities such as selecting textiles, upcycling clothing, and planning and staging a fashion photoshoot. The program additionally offers insights into fashion trends and marketing strategies while helping you build your fashion portfolio. You will learn from instructors and industry professionals and receive personalized coaching and feedback on your designs and plans.
12. Film Forward Camp
Location: AutoNation Center for the Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cost: $1,000 if applying before May 1 | $1,200 after May 1
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified, but space is limited
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: July 15
Eligibility: High school students
Organized by the All American High School Film Festival and NSU University School, Film Forward is a week-long program designed for high school students who are interested in filmmaking. As a participant, you will engage in hands-on learning experiences focused on film production while gaining exposure to film facilities, equipment, and technology. The program also provides 1-on-1 mentorship to help you explore the film industry and work on your own film project. Additionally, you will participate in evening screenings, where notable students films will be showcased.
13. Miami Book Fair’s Speak Up
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 28 – August 2
Application deadline: March 21-May 11
Eligibility: High school students; priority is given to Miami-Dade County students.
This online camp is designed for students interested in creative writing. Over the course of a week, you will connect with a few critically acclaimed authors through masterclasses and live Q&A sessions. You will also attend workshops that are designed to help you refine your creative writing and public speaking skills. As a participant, you will have access to 1-on-1 mentorship and receive detailed feedback on your work. The program also offers a certificate of completion that you can add to your portfolios and college applications.
14. Summer Programs: Costume Design Camp @ Episcopal School of Jacksonville
Location: Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: $395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the camp
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open in January
Eligibility: Rising 7th through 12th graders
Episcopal School of Jacksonville offers school students of all ages the opportunity to explore their interests, with tracks spanning sports, arts, photography, community service, and other areas. The Costume Design camp is an opportunity to learn from designers who have made costumes or wigs for Broadway shows. The curriculum will break down the different steps of the design process and guide you through each phase. You will also explore how a play’s script influences the costumes and the techniques designers use to tell the story through them.
15. Arts Bonita’s Master Workshops
Location: Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, Bonita Springs, FL
Cost: Varies by workshop
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; space is limited in each workshop
Dates: Workshops scheduled throughout the year, with sessions available in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by workshop; students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Eligibility: Open to all, including high school students
Arts Bonita runs a variety of art workshops scheduled throughout the year. These workshops are designed to be opportunities for artists of all ages to learn from professionals who have established themselves in the creative industry. You can explore various painting and art styles, with workshops spanning areas like abstract art, mixed media art, and watercolor art. Depending on the workshop you choose, you will learn from professional artists and practice new techniques in that particular art style through hands-on exercises. You will also receive feedback from instructors to refine your work.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in an area of your choice, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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