15 Summer Art Programs for High School Students
Participating in a summer art program as a high school student is an effective way to explore creative disciplines. These programs typically offer structured studio time, guided projects, and access to instructors with industry experience, giving you a clearer view of what artistic work looks like in practice. As a participant, you can build foundational skills, experiment with different media, and learn how to develop a creative workflow.
Why choose a summer art program?
Many summer art programs are hosted by reputable colleges, museums, or arts organizations, providing opportunities to learn from professionals who understand the field. You’ll also gain exposure to how artists and designers think, critique, and collaborate, often with opportunities to receive feedback or attend sessions led by guest creatives. With virtual options now widely available, it’s easier to join high-quality programs from anywhere.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down 15 of the best summer art programs for high school students.
15 Summer Art Programs for High School Students
1. CCNY’s City Art Lab
Location: City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies by semester
Program Dates: 12 weeks (after-school program)
Eligibility: New York City high school students
City Art Lab is an after-school program that centers on community-based art and process-driven creation and pairs you with graduate students from CCNY’s Art Education program. As a participant, you will attend workshops, explore materials, and work on collaborative projects tied to community themes. The routine mixes instructor-led activities with time to work on longer-term pieces at your own pace. You’ll also get to know the campus and interact with practicing artists. The program closes with an exhibition that highlights participants’ work.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts in the year
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships places you with a high-growth start-up for an eight to twelve-week remote internship. You’ll work on projects in fields that may include tech, AI, health tech, marketing, journalism, or consulting, depending on the company you match with. The structure gives you regular contact with your manager and a Ladder Coach while still expecting you to take ownership of your weekly tasks. As an intern, you will spend about 10-20 hours each week completing assignments that contribute to real company goals. At the end of the program, you will share your work with the start-up team.
3. Yale Summer Sessions: Courses for Credit (Art)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: Varies (see here)
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: February 20 (priority); March 13 (regular)
Program Dates: May 25 – June 26; June 29 – July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+)
The Yale Summer Session provides undergraduate art courses eligible for Yale College credit, including courses in drawing, graphic design, photography, sculpture, printing, and interactive design. Classes meet two or three days a week on campus or online; additional studio time may also be available. These studio sessions are complemented by written and technical exercises, and classes use Yale’s studios and include critiques, demonstrations, and lectures. The setup is designed so you get regular guidance while working through assignments similar to those in undergraduate courses. The program emphasizes consistent practice across various artistic disciplines.
4. Immerse Education’s Fine and Digital Art Track
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18
This two-week program introduces you to fine and digital art through project-based learning. The New York Fine and Digital Art track is designed to draw on the city’s fashion, design, and media landscape as you build practical creative skills. Throughout the session, you’ll complete hands-on projects while meeting with industry experts who offer direct feedback on your work. You’ll attend workshops, visit creative workplaces, and take part in activities led by professionals in the field. Weekly one-on-one career coaching sessions give you guidance on your resume and broader profile. The program ends with a presentation where you share your project with industry guests, and it focuses on applying creative skills within a professional context.
5. RISD Pre-College Program
Location: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Cost: Residential: $12,095; Commuter: $9,300; $60 application fee; Limited scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate: ~30%
Application Deadline: November 5 – January 30; First-come, first-served basis
Program Dates: June 27 – August 1
Eligibility: Students between 10th and 11th grade who are 16-18 years old
The RISD Pre-College Program is a five-week program that introduces you to college-level studio courses in areas such as fine arts, design, and architecture. You will follow a set curriculum that includes a foundation course, a major course, and electives, which gives your days a steady structure. You will also get to participate in critiques, museum visits, and faculty-led discussions. The schedule provides guidance and structure while allowing you the flexibility to explore new materials and approaches. The majority of your time will be dedicated to working in the studio, where you will develop projects from inception to completion. The program emphasizes portfolio development through consistent, hands-on practice.
6. Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs: Art
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Varies; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: ~30%
Application Deadline: February 1 (early), March 1 (regular)
Program Dates: June 20 – July 11 (3 weeks); June 20 – August 1 (6 weeks)
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders (16+) with a strong interest in art
Carnegie Mellon School uses both traditional tools and cutting-edge technologies to support your creative ideas in a college-level studio environment. The pace aligns with the experience of first-year students at CMU. The curriculum includes technical skills, conceptual projects, and exposure to different art-making methods. Regular critiques and one-on-one reviews help you track progress while you work through studio assignments. Instructors guide you, but also expect consistent independent work. The program emphasizes developing a portfolio through structured studio practice.
7. Cooper Union Summer Art Intensive
Location: The Cooper Union, New York, NY
Cost: $4,350 – $4,500; Scholarships available
Cohort Size: 16 students per class
Application Deadline: Opens December 1
Program Dates: July 13 – August 6
Eligibility: High school rising sophomores to rising seniors (ages 15-18)
The Cooper Union Summer Art Intensive gives you the chance to participate in courses in drawing, animation, graphic design, or studio practice. Instruction is often led by faculty with support from current undergraduates. Most class sessions mix guided demonstrations with time to apply what you learn in the studio. Field trips to museums, galleries, and artist studios are built into the schedule. Daily assignments encourage you to try out new tools and processes. The session ends with an exhibition that highlights the work completed during the program.
8. Harvard Pre-College Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $6,100 + $75 application fee; Limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 7 (early), February 11 (regular), April 1 (late)
Program Dates: Varies by session (multiple sessions in a year)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16-19)
Harvard Pre-College Program is an academically rigorous program that offers you the chance to participate in college-level courses. If you’re interested in art, you can choose from several short, intensive arts and humanities courses that introduce contemporary ideas and practices. Classes often combine discussions, project work, and instructor feedback, and assignments are structured so you can build skills steadily over the two-week session. You may visit the Harvard Art Museums depending on your course. The program also includes evening activities and time to meet other students.
9. The New School Summer Pre-College
Location: Parsons Paris, Paris, France
Cost: $9,699
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: April 10
Program Dates: June 27 – July 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors to seniors between the ages of 16 and 18
The New School Summer Pre-College is a New York-based program that offers you the chance to participate in an art-focused pre-college program at Parsons Paris. As a participant, you will get to explore subjects such as drawing, painting, design, fashion, and photography within a Paris-based studio environment. The curriculum emphasizes visual communication and design foundations. You’ll also work on daily assignments that often connect to visits to museums or cultural sites. Class time balances demonstrations with periods when you work independently on studio tasks, and you’ll get to earn three college credits by completing required coursework. On-site sketching sessions are a regular part of the program.
10. UCLA Design Media Arts Summer Institute
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (virtual options available)
Cost: Varies; See Fee Calculator
Cohort Size: 20 students per class
Application Deadline: February 15 (tentative)
Program Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students; Commuter students (15+), residential students (17+)
UCLA Design Media Arts Summer Institute is a two-week program that focuses on digital art and design practices and introduces you to areas such as 2D image creation, motion design, worldbuilding, and digital media. As a participant, you will get to learn from instructors from the Design Media Arts department who lead classes using studio and lab spaces. Daily schedules are structured and include both technical instruction and creative exercises. Your project work contributes to a final presentation that will be delivered at the concluding exhibition. Residential students also get a preview of campus life.
11. NYU Tisch Summer High School Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Varies; Limited scholarships offered
Cohort Size: About 30 students per track
Application Deadline: December 1
Program Dates: July 5 – August 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors with a 3.0 GPA
The Tisch Summer High School Residential Program is an intensive, four-week pre-college program open to high school sophomores and juniors from around the world. As a participant, you’ll choose a specific track such as drama, dance, filmmaking, game design, photography, or recorded music. Each track includes classes that mirror elements of the Tisch undergraduate curriculum. Much of your time will be spent completing projects that require steady participation in studio work or rehearsals. Faculty members guide the structure of each day, and assignments are designed to reflect pre-professional expectations. You’ll conclude the program by sharing final work with peers and families.
12. SCAD Rising Star
Location: Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah/Atlanta, GA
Cost: $6,490
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Opens September 1; Apply at least 30 days before program start
Program Dates: June 28 – July 24
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
This four-week program awards college credit to rising high school seniors who are ready for a university experience. As a participant, you will enroll in two college-level courses in subjects such as animation, illustration, photography, or graphic design and have the opportunity to build your portfolio. Class time is spent in SCAD studios and labs working through graded assignments. Courses follow a steady rhythm that helps you build technical skills while meeting college credit requirements. Faculty will be available during studio hours to offer guidance, and guest speakers will introduce you to professional perspectives.
13. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
Location: California Institute of the Arts, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $5,174 (CA applicants); $10,475 (out-of-state applicants); Scholarships offered to CA applicants
Cohort Size: 500 students per summer
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 28
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1
Eligibility: California high school students (up to 20 out-of-state applicants accepted)
As a participant in the California State Summer School for the Arts, you’ll enroll in studio classes based on your interests, with options in digital media, painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture. The program’s daily schedule includes long studio blocks and critiques. Consistent work time helps you build technical and conceptual skills in a structured environment, and instructors provide demonstrations and context for each project. You’ll also benefit from peer feedback throughout the four weeks.
14. University of Michigan Stamps Pre-College Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (online options available)
Cost: $750 – $5,550; Scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: February 1 (early); March 1 (regular)
Program Dates: July 6 – 19; July 20 – August 2; June 16 – 27 (online)
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders
The University of Michigan Stamps Pre-College Program offers several programs you can participate in to explore the field of art. It gives you the chance to spend time in studio environments, working on projects aimed at strengthening your portfolio. Instructors will guide you through processes used in college-level visual arts courses. You’ll also attend feedback sessions to help you refine your work as you move through different stages of each assignment. You’ll get to meet with admissions staff to learn about applying to art programs.
15. Otis College of Art and Design Summer of Art
Location: Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $2,490 – $7,190; Scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: November 17 – April 14
Program Dates: July 6 – 31
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14.5 and 19
During the Otis College of Art and Design Summer of Art program, you’ll participate in drawing studios and specialization courses in areas such as architecture, concept art, digital media, or printmaking. Instructors introduce new methods and guide you through hands-on exercises, and coursework will build week by week, so you can apply each new concept to more complex projects. You’ll also attend lectures and learn from critiques offered throughout the program.
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