If you’re a high school student interested in developing your artistic skill set beyond regular coursework, summer art programs for high school students offer structured studio time, technical skill building, and exposure to professional-level tools and techniques. These programs connect specific visual disciplines, such as drawing, digital media, painting, animation, and sculpture, with hands-on practice, thematic projects, and critique cycles that mirror how artists train in college-level classrooms and studios.
Why choose an art program as a high school student?
High school art classes are typically constrained by limited studio time and broad curricula. Summer art programs for high school students expand your studio time and give you access to equipment such as intaglio presses, kiln yards, darkrooms, and Cintiq labs, as well as mentorship beyond what most schools provide.
As a participant, you’ll learn how to give and receive critique, articulate visual decisions, and iterate on projects. In many of these programs, the work you produce can form the basis of a stronger portfolio, whether you’re planning to pursue art, design, animation, or visual culture studies in college.
Below is a curated list of 15 summer art programs for high school students. If you’re also exploring art-related paths beyond summer programs, you might also check out art internships for high school students here and online art research programs for high school students here.
15 Summer Art Programs for High School Students
1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pre-College Residential Summer Immersive
Location: Providence, Rhode Island OR virtual
Cost: $12,495 (residential) | $9,595 (commuter) | $4,635 (online)
Dates: June 27–August 1 (on-campus) | June 22–July 30 (online)
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 5 and are rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16–18
RISD lets you select a specific major from subjects such as Animation, Ceramics, Fashion Design, or Industrial Design while simultaneously completing a rigorous Foundation Studies curriculum. Two days per week will go into Foundation Studies, and another two days for your chosen major. There are also field trips to the Nature Lab or the RISD Museum, as well as studio work. You’ll gain proficiency in core art fundamentals, including observation-based drawing and 3D design principles. There is also a heavy emphasis on art critique, requiring you to articulate the conceptual underpinnings of your work in front of faculty and peers.
2. The Cooper Union Summer Art Intensive
Location: New York, New York
Cost: $4,350 in tuition, plus a $270 registration fee | Scholarships are available
Dates: July 13–August 6
Application Deadline: July 5 | Limited to 16 students only per class
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 15–18
The Cooper Union Summer Art Intensive is a highly studio-centric experience that allows you to choose your concentration from among majors such as Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting or Animation. You’ll be taught by current Cooper Union undergraduates and attend a special focus workshop each week. There’s plenty of fieldwork as well, including trips to museums, art galleries, and even artists’ studios. You’ll also create your own work during the program, which will be showcased in an end-of-program exhibition and will be a strong addition to your portfolio for college applications.
3. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Location: Sacramento, California
Cost: $5,174 for CA state residents | $10,475 for out-of-state and international students | Extensive need-based financial aid options available
Dates: July 4–August 1
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: California residents (and limited out-of-state) in grades 8–12
A state-funded legislative appointment, CSSSA is a pre-professional training ground for artists in the visual arts, animation, film, and more. The curriculum is intensive, offering specializations in Animation, Dance, Film, Music, Theatre, Visual Art, and Writing. You will be taught by accomplished, practising professional artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors and filmmakers, and will participate in interdisciplinary projects under their guidance. Completing CSSSA earns you a “California Arts Scholar” designation, a significant accolade for college applications, and makes you eligible to earn 3 college credits to boot.
4. Interlochen Summer Art Camps
Location: Interlochen, Michigan
Cost: Varies by specific subject and duration, ranging from $2,050 to $10,350
Dates: Multiple 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-week camps available between June 20 and August 9
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
Within the Interlochen summer program, there are a variety of Visual Arts camps focusing on everything from drawing and painting to fashion design, to comics and graphic narratives. Depending on the camp chosen, you’ll be spending up to six hours daily in the studio in small batches with a 1:2 teacher:student ratio, creating your own work under the guidance of Interlochen’s instructors, who are themselves practising artists. The curriculum also integrates art history and exhibition practices, requiring you to showcase and exhibit your own work for final reviews, simulating the professional life of a gallery artist.
5. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs: Art
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost: 6 Weeks: $12,204 (residential); $9,039 (commuter) | 3 Weeks: $7,945 (residential); $6,184 (commuter) | Application fee: $50; Enrolment deposit: $800 | Full scholarships are available for students demonstrating financial need
Dates: June 20–July 11 (3 weeks) | June 20–August 1 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1 (early deadline) | March 1 (final deadline)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors at least 16 years old
Depending on whether you choose the 3-week or 6-week option, you can take core courses in Drawing, Sculpture, Animation/Digital Media, Painting, Digital Photography or even Printmaking. You’ll be able to engage with these disciplines, benefitting from CMU’s cutting-edge fabrication labs that provide access to state-of-the-art equipment like laser cutters and 3D printers that you may not have access to in high school. The Concept Studio course is particularly distinctive, challenging you to develop a personal, non-medium-specific approach to generating art, integrating areas of exploration such as space and time, self and the human being, and contextual practice. There are also Friday workshops across a variety of electives, as well as college application preparation. You will leave with a sophisticated portfolio and receive extensive 1-to-1 feedback.
6. Boston University Visual Arts Summer Institute (VASI)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost: $3,800 tuition + $300 estimated art supplies + $80 application fee | Merit scholarships are available
Dates: June 29–July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18
VASI is a four-week intensive focused on building technical skill and portfolio quality through structured studio sessions. The program is rigorous and credit-bearing, meaning the workload is equivalent to a college course. The curriculum is modeled on the foundation courses taken by Boston University School of Visual Arts undergrads, and you’ll get to engage in long-form drawing sessions, intense painting workshops, and sculpture assignments. The program ends with a formal public exhibition in the University’s gallery, providing valuable exposure and teaching the logistics of installation and exhibition.
7. New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA): Visual Arts Intensive
Location: SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, New York
Cost: $2,800 | Scholarships are available
Dates: July 6–August 2
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High schoolers in grades 8–12
Supported by the NY State Education Department, NYSSSA offers an affordable, quality art training program. The Visual Arts Intensive allows you to specialize in one 2D and one 3D art form, providing solid exposure to mediums such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, figure, and interdisciplinary arts. You’ll get to work with visiting artists to master technical skills such as figure modeling from life, advanced color theory application, and darkroom photography processing. The program also features personalized coaching and leadership development to provide a holistic experience.
8. University of Michigan Stamps Pre-College: Portfolio Prep
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cost: $6,000 (residential) | $750 (virtual)
Dates: June 15–26 (virtual) | July 12–25 or July 26–August 8 (residential)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11
The Stamps program is explicitly focused on developing and curating a competitive portfolio of your work for college applications. You will work under the guidance of U-M faculty to create work that highlights your unique skill set and art style. The curriculum covers six classes: the Drawing Studio, 2D Studio, 3D Studio, 4D (time-based) Studio, Portfolio Studio, and Admissions Studio. In the 4D studio, you might use Premiere Pro or After Effects to create video art, while 3D studios focus on spatial reasoning and material integrity. The Admissions Studio component provides granular feedback on portfolio curation, helping you select and sequence images for maximum impact.
9. UCLA Summer Art Institute
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, California | Remote
Cost: Variable by session and housing option | Need- and merit-based scholarships
Dates: Remote: June 23–July 5 | Residential: July 7–18 | Commuter: July 7–18
Application Deadline: Typically in spring (varies annually)
Eligibility: High school students (usually ages 15–18)
UCLA’s Summer Art Institute offers rigorous studio training over two-week sessions, with both remote and on-campus formats. Each session combines daily instruction with focused studio work, group critiques, and individual meetings with faculty who are practising artists and instructors. Tracks include Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Video and Experimental Art. You will be able to use UCLA’s extensive art facilities to explore advanced techniques such as large-format photography, experimental video art, and installation. The program also provides exposure to critical discourse and professional practices through artist talks and portfolio development feedback.
10. UNCSA Visual Arts Summer Intensive
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Cost: $5,055 (residential) | $2,878 (commuter) | Need and merit-based scholarship available
Dates: June 21–July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling once application opens (typically Nov 15–Dec 1)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
The UNCSA Visual Arts Summer Intensive immerses you in a four-week studio experience that emphasizes both technical skill development and conceptual understanding. Alongside technical classes on drawing and design, you’ll also learn about the philosophical and mechanical aspects of the art experience. You’ll also learn about historical art concepts and practices, and explore contemporary imagery. Throughout the session, faculty support individualized growth while encouraging you to articulate your ideas through assignments and a virtual exhibition. The program also integrates lectures and discussions on artistic context and imagery to broaden your critical framework as a developing artist.
11. NYU Tisch Summer High School Program: Photography and Imaging Track
Location: New York University, New York
Cost: $11,318 (including tuition, program fees, housing, meals and additional charges) | A limited number of need-based scholarships are available
Dates: July 5–August 1
Application Deadline: December 1 | Limited to approximately 25 students only
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors | Must be at least 15 years old
Within NYU Tisch’s Summer High School Program, the Photography & Imaging track focuses on project-based image-making across both analog and digital workflows. You’ll learn 35 mm manual exposure, black-and-white darkroom printing, digital SLR techniques, scanning, Photoshop editing, and digital printing. The curriculum explores both the technical aspects and the history of photography, providing exposure to its use in political and social contexts as well. You’ll also be required to produce a final series of images that demonstrates a coherent narrative or thematic inquiry that will then be displayed in the Tisch Gulf and Western Gallery and at community settings.
12. Washington University in St. Louis Sam Fox School: Portfolio Plus Program
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Cost: $6,557 | Scholarships available up to full cost based on financial need and academic merit
Dates: July 12–August 1
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors.
The Sam Fox School offers a program based on its Bachelor of Fine Arts program. The core of the program is a Drawing course that introduces you to both wet and dry media and teaches the fundamentals of line, composition, form, space, and modeling. Afternoon sessions allow you to pursue one of three concentrations: Communication Design, Fashion Design, or Studio Art. All concentrations provide a balanced exposure to both technical skills and the fundamentals of art philosophy. There are also field trips, tours, lectures by local artists and designers, and college admissions assistance workshops.
13. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA): Pre-College Art & Design
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Cost: Between $2,725 and $7,700, depending on whether you choose a 2-week or 4-week session and residential or commuter option
Dates: Residential: July 12–25 or July 26–August 8 (2-week sessions); July 12–August 8 (4-week sessions) | Commuter: July 13–24 or July 27–August 7 (2-week sessions); July 13–August 7 (4-week sessions)
Application Deadline: January 5 (early deadline) | April 30 (final deadline)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors between the ages of 15–17
MICA’s program offers a wide variety of course options across many specializations in diverse media. You can choose from 2D or 3D animation, darkroom photography, digital photography, ceramics, graphic novels, textiles, printing, or interdisciplinary. The Graphic Design track, for instance, delves into typography hierarchy, branding systems, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud. The Illustration track teaches narrative image-making and character development. The program format options offer greater choice depending on your time commitment. You’ll also earn college credit and experience what life at an undergraduate art and design college feels like.
14. Pratt Pre-College Intensive
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Cost: $8,192 (residential) | $5,452 (commuter) | Scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6–31
Application Deadline: May 1 (rolling application deadline) | April 1 (international application deadline) | February 1 (scholarship application deadline)
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 | Must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or international student with an approved US Visa
Pratt’s four-week Pre-College Intensive immerses you in college-level studio courses that reflect the institute’s undergraduate curriculum. You will take two 2-credit courses, choosing from subjects such as Art History, Game Arts, Sculpture, Graphic Design, Jewelry/Metal Arts, or the Foundation Art course (a mandatory prerequisite for some advanced courses). You’ll refine material techniques, deepen conceptual capacities, and create portfolio-ready work under Pratt faculty guidance, thereby preparing you for both portfolio development and academic expectations in higher education.
15. Parsons Academy: New York Summer Intensive Studies
Location: New York
Cost: $5,875 ($5,610 tuition plus $265 university fee) | A limited number of need-based, tuition-only scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 8–26 | Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: May 1 | April 1 (for international students)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18
Parsons Summer Intensive Studies embeds you in a structured, project-based curriculum that bridges art and design disciplines with professional thinking and creative research. The curriculum includes courses in Design Strategies, Explorations in Drawing, Fashion Design, Interior Design, and Visual Communication. You’ll earn three college credits on completing the program, as well as get a head start on preparing your portfolio for college admissions. You will also benefit from guidance and regular critiques from Parsons’ faculty and flesh out a network of mentors and peers who share your passion for art.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like art history, visual culture, digital art, aesthetics, and cultural studies, 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!
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