15 Summer Art Programs for High School Students in NYC
When you're in high school, the summer is a chance to explore what interests you. If you are interested in art, one of the most practical ways to do that is through summer programs and internships. These programs, offered by top colleges and organizations, are structured experiences that let you develop skills in fields such as animation, curation, and digital media. Crucially, they provide industry exposure through mentorship from working artists and professionals, giving you insight into potential art careers. Participating in a summer program can also give you valuable portfolio pieces to add to your college applications.
New York City has several summer art program options for high school students. Art schools, museums, studios, and community programs across NYC run summer sessions that let you experiment with painting, fashion design, photography, digital art, or animation. You might already be clear that you want to study art, or you might simply be curious about what it’s like to work in a professional creative environment. Either way, these programs help you understand what an artistic career looks like. To help you choose, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer art programs for high school students in NYC.
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art – High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,100 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; approximately 36 – 50 students
Dates: 10-week summer internship (exact dates vary year to year)
Application Deadline: Typically, in March
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-graders who live in or attend high school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
If you land an internship at the Met, you’ll spend 10 weeks working alongside museum professionals and engaging with the museum’s operations. Your work will range from curatorial and design departments to education and digital projects. There’s a structured learning component. You’ll get behind-the-scenes exposure, collaborate on meaningful tasks, and develop professional skills like project management and communication. The program also includes a group interview to select interns, ensuring that you’re joining a cohort that’s both thoughtful and diverse in interests. Upon completion of the program, you receive a stipend, giving you not just the experience but also compensation for your time.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week
In this program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. As an intern, you’ll contribute to real-world projects that directly impact the organizations you work with, including opportunities to take on creative or artistic roles in design, media, or the arts. You can choose from internship tracks in design, UI/UX, content strategy, and creative direction, making the program especially valuable if you're interested in the intersection of art, storytelling, and digital communication. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. In the program, you’ll work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. Here is the application form.
3. Studio Institute’s High School Internship
Location: Studio Institute, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Competitive stipend for both internships ($16.50/hr for the Teen Apprenticeship Program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies as per city
Dates: 8-week summer internship
Application Deadline: Teen Apprenticeship Program: January 11 | Bloomberg Arts Internship: varies as per city
Eligibility: Teen Apprenticeship Program: High school students 16+ by July 1 | Bloomberg Arts Internship: High school juniors at participating schools
This teen internship embeds you in cultural institutions across New York City, working alongside professionals in galleries, museums, and nonprofits. Over eight weeks, you’ll contribute to meaningful projects, build your network, and get paid for your work while experimenting with whether a creative arts career is for you. The schedule is ambitious (up to 33 hours a week), which means you’ll need to balance dedication with real-world responsibility. As part of the program, you also join a cohort of other young creatives and take part in professional development sessions that deepen your understanding of art careers.
4. Immerse Education’s New York Experience
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, small cohort sizes
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18
The Career Insights Program lets high school students like yourself explore careers in major global industry hubs. The New York track is designed for you if you are interested in uncovering trends in fashion studios or if the financial system on Wall Street intrigues you. The fashion and design courses in New York can be a good option if you’re interested in such areas. You’ll engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit offices, factories, and headquarters. The program also includes in-person weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You’ll also present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program. You can find more details about the application here!
5. Summer Arts Institute
Location: Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Astoria, Queens, NYC
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 – 16 students per year
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Usually in early March
Eligibility: Rising 8th to 12th graders enrolled in or planning to enroll in a New York City Department of Education public school
In the Summer Arts Institute, you’ll spend four weeks in a studio environment, working in your chosen discipline, like visual arts, film, theater, dance, band, strings, or vocal music. In the studios, you develop and refine your technical skills and creative expression in your chosen art form. You spend time rehearsing, attending professional performances, visiting arts venues, and exploring potential careers. The program culminates in a public showcase where you’ll perform or exhibit your work in a live event that brings together families, students, and the community.
6. MoMA’s In the Making Program
Location: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 25 students
Dates: Three times a week for 6 – 7 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Typically, late May to early June
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 – 18
When you join ‘In the Making’ at MoMA, you’ll step into a vibrant studio community guided by MoMA educators and working artists. Here, you get to experiment across sculpture, printmaking, photography, mixed media, or architecture. You will meet with other participants at MoMA three times a week. You’ll attend artist talks, gallery visits, and studio sessions that spark ideas for your own self-directed project. Over the course of the summer, you’ll build a personal portfolio piece rooted in your interests. At the end, your work will be part of a public exhibition.
7. Parsons Summer Academy
Location: Greenwich Village
Cost/Stipend: $1,720 + fees + supplies estimating $75 – $125; limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically, under 17 students
Dates: July 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: July 15
Eligibility: All high school students
With Parsons Summer Academy, you’ll spend two intensive weeks exploring art and design under the mentorship of Parsons faculty at their iconic New York campus. If you are already building a portfolio, you'll engage with creative projects that develop your technical skills and deepen your design thinking. For high schoolers, there’s even a specialized portfolio development segment to shape work that helps you with college applications. Classes are small, giving you space for both group collaboration and individual feedback. You may sign up for their newsletter if you wish to be regularly updated about their programs.
8. NYU Tisch Summer High School Program
Location: NYU housing (Greenwich Village or Brooklyn)
Cost/Stipend: Varies per track between $8,008 – $12,012 + additional fees apply; limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies as per track between 14 – 36 students
Dates: 4 weeks between July – August
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are at least 15 years old | Animation & Film Workshops: only high school juniors | Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
The Tisch Summer Program is a four-week, intensive residential program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where you’ll immerse yourself in college-level arts training. You will pick one of nine artistic tracks, such as drama, production and design, animation, photography, game design, or filmmaking. You’ll then work on structured projects, receive professional training, and collaborate closely with peers and faculty. Evenings and weekends are full of events, rehearsals, or time to explore New York City, and you’ll also get a chance to present your final work to friends and family. You’ll be living on campus and therefore experience a tight-knit, creative community.
9. Pratt Institute Pre-College Program
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $8,136; Commuter: $5,452 + $300 – $500 for materials + $65 application fee; limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: May 1 | International students: April 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 before December 31 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
When you enroll in Pratt’s Summer PreCollege, you’ll dive into a credit-bearing studio experience that mirrors Pratt’s undergraduate offerings. You’ll be part of a tight-knit creative community; you will be working with Pratt faculty and pushing yourself with college-level assignments. During the evenings, studio hours allow you to keep creating, with undergraduates as mentors to guide you. Beyond the classroom, you’ll engage in cultural activities and build connections with peers who are equally passionate about art, design, architecture, or writing. By the end of the program, you’ll earn four college credits and a transcript that many universities accept.
10. Sotheby’s Pre-College Summer Institute
Location: NYC, London, Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Day: $5,940; Residential: $7,440 + additional fees + $50 application fee; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; exclusive with small cohort sizes
Dates: July 5 – 17; July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 and graduating seniors who are 15 years old by the program’s first day
If you’re looking to spend two weeks in New York City, surrounded by the very galleries, museums, auction houses, and artist studios that shape the global art world, you may apply to Sotheby’s Summer Institute. You’ll learn from leading art professionals and Sotheby’s Institute faculty in courses ranging from art business and luxury markets to art history and conservation. As a residential student, your days will be filled with studio sessions, case studies, and behind-the-scenes field trips. Your evenings are for exploring NYC with new friends. Overall, the program will help in deepening your understanding of the art world.
11. Cooper Union Summer Art Intensive
Location: East Village neighbourhood, Manhattan, NYC
Cost/Stipend: $4,350 – $4,500, depending on the course + $270 registration fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 9%; typically, small class sizes
Dates: July 13 – August 6
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; first-come, first-served
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores to seniors who are between the ages of 15 – 18
This summer, you can experience a real art college setting at Cooper Union’s Summer Art Intensive. Here, you’ll work alongside professional artists and enthusiastic peers. You’ll choose a course among options such as animation & drawing, graphic design, painting, and studio practice. You’ll spend your days building your technical skills through structured and organized projects. Outside your classroom, you’ll also explore must-see museums, galleries, and artist studios across New York City, giving you inspiration and experience of the real-world context. Finally, you’ll go up in a public exhibition, which will give you a platform to showcase everything you’ve created.
12. New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) – Summer Pre-College
Location: NYC
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $5,898; Commuter: $3,298; Commuter (class only): $2,398 + $99 application fee (minimum) + $250 supplement fee | Online: $2,125; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; around 60 students
Dates: In-person: Session 1: July 5 – 17; July 19 – 31 | Online: Session 1: July 6 – 16; July 20 – 30
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9 to 12 with a 3.0 GPA | International students must fulfill English proficiency criteria
If you attend NYSID’s Pre-College program, you’ll get an insider’s look into interior design through participating in studio courses led by NYSID faculty. In the on-site track, you’ll explore New York City (visiting showrooms, designer offices, museums, and private hotels), giving you a feel for how designers work and think. You can choose from courses like Interior Design I & II, a Portfolio Workshop, and a Photography in the City class that leverages NYC’s architecture as your playground. For the online version, you’ll still dive deep into design fundamentals such as drafting, color, and concept through live sessions and virtual tours. You may earn a college credit at the end.
13. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) High School Summer Courses
Location: FIT, State University of New York
Cost/Stipend: $550
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically, small cohorts
Dates: July 6 – 21
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 as of fall of the program year
In this program, you’ll spend 10 days exploring New York’s Fashion District, learning from FIT faculty who are involved in the industry. You can mix and match morning and afternoon classes to build a fuller day that suits your interests. The classes are designed around participative projects, and you’ll walk away with work that could help with future applications. With students from across the U.S. (and even abroad), you’ll meet peers who are just as passionate. Throughout this compact program, you’ll sharpen fundamental creative skills and gain a clearer sense of possible majors at FIT, without needing to commit to a full semester.
14. NYFA Teen Programs
Location: Multiple locations, including New York, Los Angeles, and Florence
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; application fee US $25
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly accessible; cohort size not specified
Dates: Vary according to the course
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Teens (14–17) and kids (10–13) for various programs
If you join NYFA’s workshops, you’ll join a collaborative space where you can explore filmmaking, 3D animation, game design, screenwriting, musical theatre, and more. Whether you’re at one of their physical campuses (like New York, LA, Paris, or Florence) or logging in remotely, you’ll collaborate on creative projects with peers and instructors who are active in the industry. The schedule is quite immersive. In the on-campus teens program, you have to attend classes from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm during the week. You don’t require prior experience for Level I camps, while more advanced Level II sessions are built on past participation.
15. School of Visual Arts (SVA) Pre-College Program
Location: SVA's urban campus in Lower Manhattan, NYC
Cost/Stipend: In-person Tuition (3 credits): $3,400 (Optional housing and meal plans are available); merit-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 20 students per course section
Dates: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students ages 14 to 18 who will be entering their freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the upcoming fall semester
The School of Visual Arts (SVA) Pre-College Program is an intensive, three-week summer course that focuses on a wide array of artistic topics, including Illustration, Animation, Photography, Graphic Design, Comic Book Art, and Painting. You engage in hands-on activities such as daily studio practice, personalized portfolio reviews with SVA faculty, museum field trips to institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and access to SVA's professional studios. A unique feature is that successful completion earns students three transferable college credits, giving them a substantial head start and valuable entry on their transcript. Through this immersive curriculum, you enhance your skills in concept development, technical proficiency in your chosen medium, and critical thinking about art.
Image Source - Studio Institute’s Logo