Top 10 Summer Art Programs for High School Students in 2025–2026

Are you looking for a summer art program to help improve your creativity and discipline? We’ve compiled a list of art programs you can take this summer. Whether you want to immerse in intensive arts training in music, dance, and theater at Interlochen Arts Camp or spend your days in studio courses and learn the art of critique culture at the RISD Pre-College Program, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through some of the best summer art programs available right now— what they cost, where they’re located, how long they run, and most importantly, what you’ll actually learn once you’re there.

• What are the Best Summer Art Programs for High School Students?
• Interlochen Arts Camp
• California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)
• Rhode Island School of Design Pre-College Program (RISD)
• Parsons School of Design Summer Intensive Studies
• Otis College of Art & Design — Summer of Art
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago Early College Program
• Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Art Program
• Pratt Institute Pre-College Summer Program
• NYU Tisch Summer High School Program
• UCLA Summer Art Institute
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What are the Best Summer Art Programs for High School Students?

The top summer art programs for high school students provide get hands-on practice, stronger technical skills, and a chance to push your creative problem-solving. Whether you’re into illustration, painting, animation, or design, these programs also give your future college portfolio a serious boost.

Below, you’ll find ten standout programs with details on where they’re located and when they run, so you can compare them at a glance before choosing the right fit for you.

Now, let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. Interlochen Arts Camp

• Dates: One-Week Intensives (Grades 9–12): June 20–26 | Three-Week Sessions (Grades 6–12): June 28–July 18, July 19–Aug 9 | Six-Week Sessions (Grades 6–12): June 28–Aug 9
• Location: Interlochen, Michigan
• Cost: 2 weeks $5,250 | 3 weeks $7,265 | 4 weeks $8,300 | 6 weeks $10,350

Interlochen Arts Camp is for teens preparing for art school or students who want focused skill growth beyond regular classroom projects, whether in drawing, painting, fashion, digital media, animation, portfolio development, and more.

This summer art program for high school students is fully in-person, lasting 1–6 weeks depending on grade level. You spend most of the day in studio classes, critiques, and open work periods.

You’ll work with professional artists, attend gallery talks, build pieces for exhibitions, and receive direct portfolio feedback. Eligibility is based on grade level; advanced tracks may require a portfolio/audition.

We break down the program in detail in our full Interlochen Arts Camp guide.

2. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)

• Dates: July 4 – August 1, 2026
• Location: California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
• Cost: $4,250 + additional fees (housing, supplies)

CSSSA is ideal for high schoolers who want to build a strong portfolio and meet mentors working in California’s creative industry. The program runs in-person for four weeks. By the end, most leave with polished work suitable for college applications and film/animation reels.

CSSSA also includes guest lectures, masterclasses, film screenings, gallery shows, and final project presentations. Eligibility is for incoming grades 9–12, and applicants must submit a portfolio, writing sample, or audition depending on their chosen track.

California residents can receive significant tuition assistance, and accepted students earn three units of CSU college credit.

If you want the full rundown on this summer art program for high school students, check out our in-depth blog on CSSSA.

3. Rhode Island School of Design Pre-College Program

• Dates: (Pre-College Programs) June 27 – August 1, 2026 | (Teen Courses) April 18–May 23 and April 20–24
• Location: Providence, Rhode Island
• Cost: $10,350 tuition + $4,150 housing/meals + supplies

RISD Pre-College is meant for high school artists ready for the workload and critique culture of a real art school. This summer art program for high school students is best for students planning to pursue art in college.

The core Pre-College session runs 6 weeks, fully in-person, mirroring RISD’s BFA structure with foundation drawing, a major course, and a design elective. 

You’ll attend faculty exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and a campus-wide final show. Eligibility is for rising 10th–12th graders; a portfolio is also recommended. The program isn’t free, but financial aid reduces the cost for eligible students. The spring Teen Courses offer shorter options before or instead of the full Pre-College track, perfect for gradually building skills.

4. Parsons School of Design — Summer Intensive Studies

• Dates: Session 1: June 8–26, 2026; Session 2: July 6–24, 2026
• Location: New York City (campus-based) and Paris (international option)
• Cost: $4,675–$7,000

Parsons Summer Intensive Studies is designed for high school students who want a fast-paced, studio-heavy introduction to college-level design. It’s particularly strong for students interested in fashion design, product design, architecture, or UX/UI.

Sessions in this summer art program for high school students run full-time for 3–4 weeks, either in New York City or Paris. Courses operate like actual Parsons studio classes. You’ll be mentored by Parsons faculty and working designers, attend industry-focused seminars, visit NYC museums, and participate in final exhibitions. The NYC setting gives students direct access to one of the world’s biggest design centers.

Open to students ages 16+ with application materials that may include a short statement or portfolio, depending on course level. Scholarships and need-based assistance exist for those who need them.

5. Summer of Art by Otis College of Art & Design

• Dates: July 6–31, 2026
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Cost: $3,510–$3,800 tuition, plus additional fees for materials

Summer of Art is ideal for students interested in media, animation, character design, fashion, or game design. Courses in this summer art program for high school students run in-person for 4 intensive weeks, with students selecting a major and an elective for broader skill development. 

You’ll be taught by Otis faculty and industry professionals, with access to campus studios, labs, and critique spaces. It’s open to students ages 14–19, with no portfolio required for admission, making it accessible to both beginners and advanced artists. While the program is not fully funded, Otis offers a small number of scholarships, and the final exhibition experience gives you a taste of real art school rigor.

6. School of the Art Institute of Chicago — Early College Program

• Dates:  Session 1: June 15–26 | Session 2: June 29–July 10 | Session 3: July 13–24 | Session 4: June 29–July 24 | Session 5: July 27–31
• Location: Chicago, Illinois (SAIC main campus)
• Cost: 1-week Session – $1,908 | 2-week Session – $3,816 | 4-week Session –  $7,632

SAIC’s Early College Program explores conceptual work, installation, visual storytelling, new media, and experimental design. If you’re looking for an art experience that’s bold, modern, and idea-driven, this is the summer art program for high school students for you.

Students choose a 2-, 4-, or 6-week session, studying in full-day, in-person studios with access to SAIC facilities, labs, and fabrication shops. You’ll complete projects for mid-session reviews and finish with exhibition-ready work.

Taught by SAIC faculty and practicing artists, the program includes museum visits, studio critiques, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Open to students aged 15+, with some courses requiring a portfolio for placement. Eligible students can also earn college credit, giving them a head start if they later enroll at SAIC or another art school. Scholarships exist, but the program is not fully funded.

7. Pre-College Art Program at Carnegie Mellon University

• Dates: June 20–July 11, 2026 (3-week track) | June 20–August 1, 2026 (6-week track)
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (CMU campus)
• Cost: Residential 3-week – US$7,945 | commuter 3-week – US$6,184 | Residential 6-week = US$12,204 | commuter 6-week – US$9,039

The Pre-College Art Program is designed for rising juniors and seniors, or those who will be 16 by the program’s start date, looking to experience college-level studio art training. 

You’ll enroll in four courses during the 3-week session (or eight in the 6-week track), with Monday–Thursday studio blocks in both morning and afternoon. The program offers small class sizes, direct feedback from CMU faculty and BFA teaching assistants, and a structured environment close to a real art college experience. You’ll get access to campus housing, dining, arts-pass for local museums, and Pittsburgh’s transit system.

Applicants must submit an online application, a transcript, a recommendation letter, essays, and optional art samples (images or video). While not free, CMU offers limited financial aid and scholarships based on need for eligible applicants.

8. Pre-College Summer Program at the Pratt Institute

• Dates: July 6 – 31, 2026
• Location: Brooklyn, New York (Pratt Institute campus)
• Cost: $8,136.00 (residential) | $5,452.00 (commuter)

Pratt’s Pre-College Program is open to students ages 16+ or rising juniors/seniors. The program runs 4 weeks in-person, and students take one major studio course plus two electives. Majors include Architecture, Digital Design, Interior Design, Photography, Fashion Design, and Painting.

Coursework in this summer art program for high school students mirrors Pratt’s BFA curriculum, and you’ll end with multiple completed projects.

Pre-College students are taught by Pratt faculty, attend workshops, participate in critiques, and work in professional-level studio spaces. Museum visits and final exhibitions give you a real audience experience as well.

Applications require transcripts and a short personal statement (some majors may request samples). While the program is not fully funded, merit and need-based scholarship opportunities do exist.

9. NYU Tisch Summer High School Program

• Dates: July 5 – August 1, 2026
• Location: New York, NY (New York University campus)
• Cost: $13,376 | housing and meal plan $2,800–$3,500

Tisch’s Summer High School Program is designed for students who seek conservatory-style training, making it particularly suitable for those planning creative majors or admission to arts programs with portfolio or audition requirements.

This summer art program for high school students runs for 4 intensive weeks, fully in-person, and operates like an undergraduate Tisch studio semester. You’ll be mentored by NYU faculty and industry professionals, attend guest artist talks, and participate in collaboration-based creative projects. Students earn college credit upon completion.

Admission is selective; applicants must be rising juniors or seniors and submit essays, transcripts, recommendations, and (if required) a portfolio, audition video, or creative writing sample.

10. UCLA Summer Art Institute

• Dates: Session A (Remote) June 23 – July 5, 2025 | Session B.1 (Mandatory Housing) July 7 – July 18, 2025 | Session B.2 (Commuter) July 7 – July18, 2025
• Location: University of California, Los Angeles (School of the Arts and Architecture)
• Cost: $3,200–$4,000 for tuition, plus housing, materials, and campus fees

The UCLA Summer Art Institute is designed for high school students who want an intensive, college-level introduction to contemporary art practice. 

The program runs for two weeks, fully in-person—and you’ll choose a workshop track such as Drawing & Painting, Photography, or Digital Media. Each track includes lectures, studio work, critiques, and field assignments around campus and Los Angeles.

You’ll work directly with UCLA faculty and visiting artists, attend critiques, study contemporary practices, and present final work at a showcase.

This summer art program for high school students is open to students ages 14–17, with applicants required to submit a statement of interest and sometimes creative samples.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best summer art programs for high school students in 2025?

Some of the strongest programs include Interlochen Arts Camp, CSSSA, RISD Pre-College, Parsons Summer Intensive Studies, Otis Summer of Art, SAIC Early College Program, Pratt Pre-College, NYU Tisch, and UCLA Summer Art Institute. Each offers rigorous studio training, portfolio development, and mentorship.

2. Are there free summer art programs for high school students?

Most are paid, but some offer financial aid, merit scholarships, or reduced tuition for in-state students. CSSSA is one of the most affordable with aid for California residents, and select programs provide need-based assistance, so applying early is important.

3. What subjects do summer art programs typically cover?

Students can study drawing, painting, illustration, photography, fashion, digital media, sculpture, animation, filmmaking, architecture, game design, and more. Many allow you to choose a major track and electives.

4. How can summer art programs help with college admissions?

They strengthen portfolios, build technical skills, show commitment to the arts, and often produce work for application supplements. Some programs even offer college credit.

5. When should I apply for summer art programs?

Most applications open in December–January and fill quickly. Competitive programs recommend applying by February or March — earlier if portfolios or scholarships are involved.

Takeaways

• Summer art programs for high school students let you work like a real artist, experimenting with new media, building projects from idea to final piece, and learning the studio skills used in professional creative work.
• Programs like RISD Pre-College, CSSSA, Interlochen Arts Camp, Parsons Summer Intensive Studies, Pratt Pre-College, SAIC, NYU Tisch, and UCLA Summer Art Institute offer high-level instruction, portfolio development, and access to instructors who are active artists and designers.
• Mentorship is huge, which means you get feedback from faculty, industry creatives, and peers who push your work further and help you understand how to evolve your style and technique.
• Finishing a program signals dedication, originality, and growth. The portfolio pieces you create, along with your experience in critiques and professional studio settings, can make a real difference in art school applications.
• Exploring these summer programs with guidance from a college admissions expert is one of the best ways to choose the right one for you, helping you build a future in the arts early.