15 Art-Focused Summer Schools for Teenagers

TL;DR

You’ll find 15 art-focused summer schools for teenagers here, from Michigan’s $750 virtual Portfolio Prep to five-week residential programs at RISD and four-week credit intensives at Pratt and SCAD. The biggest difference is credit, since SAIC, Pratt, Parsons, and UCLA award college credit while Carnegie Mellon and VCUarts are non-credit. Most programs serve students aged 15 to 18, and many ask for portfolio samples with your application.

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If you already spend free periods sketching or editing digital pieces, an art-focused summer school for teenagers gives you weeks of studio time to take that work seriously. You learn from art school faculty, get your work critiqued in group pin-ups, and finish with pieces strong enough for a college portfolio. For many students, it’s also the clearest way to find out whether art school is the right fit.

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These programs range from two-week portfolio intensives to five-week residential programs that mirror a first year of art school. Depending on where you go, you might build 3D worlds in Unity at UCLA, earn four college credits at Pratt, or practice a portfolio review with Carnegie Mellon faculty. 

What are art-focused summer schools for teenagers?

Art-focused summer schools for teenagers are pre-college programs, usually run by art and design schools, where you take college-level studio classes, receive critiques, and build portfolio work over two to six weeks. Many offer housing, and several award college credit.

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Programs differ in structure. RISD, MassArt, and Stamps follow a foundation-year model across drawing, 2D, and 3D work, while UCLA focuses on digital media and CSSSA lets you choose a primary studio like ceramics or photography. Before you apply, check portfolio requirements, credit options, and whether housing is included in the cost. 

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To help you compare your options, we’ve put together a list of 15 art-focused summer schools for teenagers!

15 Art-Focused Summer Schools for Teenagers

1. RISD Pre-College

Location: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Cost: $12,865 (residential) | $9,860 (commuter) | $60 application fee | Art supplies estimated at $800-$1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 550 students each summer
Dates: June 28th - July 30th, 2027 (check-in June 26th)
Application Deadline: Rolling; full balance due March 10th, 2027
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | Open to international students

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RISD Pre-College is a five-week program where you follow a college-level curriculum of day-long studio classes, critiques, and projects. You take four courses and live like a RISD undergrad, with access to RISD’s instructors and resources throughout the summer. 

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You’ll work alongside roughly 550 students from nearly every US state and 84 countries. The program builds to final exhibitions at the end of July, giving you a chance to present what you’ve made. RISD has run Pre-College since 1971, and its alumni network now tops 12,000.

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Why it stands out: You get one of the most complete previews of art school life available to high schoolers.

2. Immerse Education's Architecture Summer School

Location: London

Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class

Dates: 2 weeks during the summer

Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions

Eligibility: High school students around the world aged 15-18; open to international students

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With your interest in architecture, you probably have design ideas in your mind, and Immerse Education's Career Insights pathway in Architecture can be a suitable place for you to learn the skills and techniques needed to turn that vision into a reality. The program will introduce you to some fundamental concepts in architecture, including but not limited to spatial design, structural engineering, and sustainability. 

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Apart from the theoretical part, this summer school will also engage you in hands-on design projects, studio sessions, and site visits. By having you participate in different activities, this program aims to enhance certain aspects of you, like creativity, technical skills, and visual thinking, that are highly valued in the world of architecture. Past London cohorts visited Plan A Consultants to learn how a Design Manager supports architects and designers.

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Why it stands out: In addition to preparing you for a college major in architecture, this program also gives you a chance to explore architectural research and design theory.

3. School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Early College Program Summer Institute

Location: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL | Online option available
Cost: Varies by session | Merit scholarships for all students; need-based aid for US residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 16 students per course (12-14 for equipment-heavy courses)
Dates: 2027 on-campus sessions run between June 14th and July 30th; online session July 12-23, 2027
Application Deadline: Registration is open; spots and scholarships are processed as space and funds allow
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 who have completed sophomore year | Open to international students

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SAIC’s Early College Program Summer Institute is a credit-bearing program where you earn one college credit for each week you attend. Classes run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with evening workshops twice a week and about two hours of studio work most nights. 

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Courses start with shorter assignments before you complete a final project based on your own interests and style. You can expect to leave each session with two to three pieces for your portfolio. Every session ends with a student exhibition and reception, and on-campus students can live in SAIC’s downtown residence halls.

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Why it stands out: You earn transferable college credit while studying at one of the country’s most influential art schools.

4. Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Art

Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Listed on CMU’s tuition page | Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 26th - July 17th, 2027 (three weeks) | June 27th - August 7th, 2027 (six weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1st, 2027 (scholarships and international applicants) | March 1st, 2027 (basic)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are 16 by June 26th, 2027 | Open to international students

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Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Art program mirrors the structure and intensity of its School of Art undergraduate experience. In the first three weeks, you take Drawing, Sculpture, Animation, and Concept Studio, and six-week students add Painting, Physical Computing, Printmaking, and a second Concept Studio. 

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Classes meet Monday to Thursday, with eight to 10 hours of project work outside class each week. Ungraded Friday workshops have covered topics like puppetry, kinetic sculpture, laser cutting, and building an artist website. You can also book a one-on-one portfolio review with School of Art faculty. The program is non-credit.

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Why it stands out: You follow CMU’s real art curriculum and practice a faculty portfolio review before you apply to college.

5. MICA Pre-College Summer Intensive

Location: Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Listed after acceptance | Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two- and four-week sessions (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: 2027 deadlines not yet posted
Eligibility: Students aged 15-17; six pieces of art or design work required | Open to international students

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MICA’s Pre-College Summer Intensive combines studio classes, workshops, and artist talks while you earn college credit. Sample classes include 2D and 3D animation, ceramics, darkroom photography, game development, graphic design, illustration, product design, screen printing, and textiles and fashion. 

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You can attend for two weeks or four, choosing one studio class for each two-week session. Residential students live on campus with meals included, while commuters get lunch provided. MICA faculty lead every class, and tuition isn’t due until you’re accepted.

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Why it stands out: You earn college credit while choosing from one of the widest ranges of art and design disciplines on this list.

6. NYU High School Summer Art Intensive: Studio Practice

Location: NYU Steinhardt, New York, NY
Cost: $4,800 tuition (2026), plus mandatory housing and meal plan | Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 54 students in three cohorts
Dates: July 5th - August 1st, 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: February 15th, 2026 (financial aid applicants and international students) | March 1st, 2026 (final)
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade; a portfolio of 10-20 images is required | Open to international students, with proof of English proficiency and an F-1 visa

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NYU’s Studio Practice intensive is a four-week residential program for just 54 students, split into three small cohorts. You take studio classes in digital art, painting, and sculpture, and experiment with materials and tools like textiles and laser cutting. 

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Every Thursday, lead faculty take you to galleries, museums, and artists’ studios across New York. Staffed open studios run in the evenings and on weekends, so you can keep developing your pieces outside class. The program ends with an exhibition in the Barney Building’s galleries, with an opening reception for family and friends.

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Why it stands out: You build a new body of portfolio work while seeing up close how working artists live and create in New York City.

7. Pratt Summer PreCollege Intensive

Location: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $8,391 (residential) | $5,651 (commuter) | $65 application fee | Materials estimated at $300-$500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6-31, 2027
Application Deadline: February 1st, 2027 (scholarships) | April 1st, 2027 (international students) | Applications open in November
Eligibility: High school students aged 15.5-18 | Open to international students with a valid F-1 visa

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Pratt’s Summer PreCollege Intensive is a four-week program where you take two credit-bearing studio courses in art, design, architecture, or writing. You earn four college credits, a letter grade, and an official Pratt transcript, all taught by the same faculty who teach Pratt undergraduates. 

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Classes run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and may include lectures, demonstrations, guest speakers, and site visits across New York City. Outside class, you complete required studio hours with mentorship from current Pratt students. The program ends with an exhibition of student work in galleries across Pratt’s Brooklyn campus.

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Why it stands out: You earn four college credits in two studio courses of your choice, taught by Pratt’s own faculty.

8. Parsons Summer Intensive Studies: New York

Location: Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York, NY
Cost: $5,805 + $274 university fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28th - July 16th, 2027
Application Deadline: April 1st, 2027 (international students who need a visa) | May 1st, 2027 (general)
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 and recent high school graduates | Open to international students

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Parsons Summer Intensive Studies is a three-week program with Parsons faculty, designed for high schoolers preparing to apply to art and design schools. Project-based classes, art and design field trips, and industry guest speakers help you build both your technical and creative skills. 

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Classes run Monday to Friday on Parsons’ Greenwich Village campus, and you can live on campus or commute. You earn three college credits for completing the program. Supervised evening and weekend activities focus on art, design, and exploring the city.

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Why it stands out: You get college-level Parsons coursework and three college credits in the middle of New York City.

9. MassArt Pre-College Summer Studios

Location: Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA
Cost: 2027 fees not yet posted
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19th - August 13th, 2027
Application Deadline: Registration opens January 12th and closes May 31st, 2027 | May 3rd, 2027 (for-credit applications)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 and 12 | International eligibility not specified

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MassArt’s Pre-College Summer Studios is a four-week program modeled on the college’s Studio Foundation year. You take three core courses, 2D Fundamentals, 3D Fundamentals, and Issues & Images, plus an elective that in 2026 covered animation, illustration, or mixed media. 

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Issues & Images has you analyze contemporary and historical art and practice talking about your own work. If you apply for credit with a portfolio and recommendation letter, you can earn three MassArt college credits. Classes take place on MassArt’s Boston campus, a neighbor of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Supervised housing isn’t provided.

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Why it stands out: You get a compact version of a real art school foundation year, with an optional route to college credit.

10. VCUarts Summer Pre-College Program

Location: VCU School of the Arts, Richmond, VA
Cost: 2027 fees not yet posted
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three weeks in summer 2027 (dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: 2027 deadlines not yet posted
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors | International eligibility not specified

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The VCUarts Summer Pre-College Program is a three-week program where you focus on one non-credit course at a top-ranked public art school. You study with VCUarts faculty to hone your creative skills and develop portfolio-ready art and design work. 

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VCUarts also offers performance-focused courses if you’re preparing auditions. You can choose to live on VCU’s campus in Richmond during the program. Past course offerings are listed on VCUarts’ site if you want to plan ahead.

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Why it stands out: You spend three focused weeks on a single discipline at one of the country’s leading public art schools.

11. Interlochen Arts Camp: Visual Arts

Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Cost: Varies by program (three-week high school programs such as Fashion cost $7,550) | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One- and three-week programs; three-week sessions run June 27th - July 17th and July 18th - August 8th, 2027
Application Deadline: January 15th, 2027 for three-week sessions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 | Open to international students

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Interlochen’s Visual Arts division runs summer programs in visual arts, drawing, painting, animation, fashion, comics and graphic narratives, and portfolio preparation. Programs range from three-week camps that end in exhibitions to one-week sessions built around a single focused topic. 

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Faculty and guest artists with established careers lead your studio work. If you’re applying to art school soon, the Preparing a Portfolio for College Intensive is built around that goal. You’ll live on campus with students from around the world who are studying music, theatre, dance, film, and writing.

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Why it stands out: You develop your art practice inside one of the country’s best-known residential arts communities.

12. UCLA Design Media Arts Summer Institute

Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA | Virtual session available
Cost: Listed on UCLA’s Arts Summer Programs site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 25 students per course
Dates: June 21st - July 8th, 2026 (residential) | July 13-30, 2026 (virtual) (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served registration (2026 registration opened in late winter)
Eligibility: High school students; residential housing for ages 15+ | International eligibility not specified

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UCLA’s Design Media Arts Summer Institute is a three-week program based on the department’s undergraduate curriculum. You rotate through four courses, 2D Image, Net, 3D Worldbuilding in Unity, and Motion Design, each led by a faculty instructor and teaching assistant. 

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Your projects respond to a shared theme and come together in an integrated multimedia exhibition. You earn four quarter units of UC credit on a pass/no pass basis and leave with a portfolio-ready body of work. Residential students live in a UCLA residence hall with breakfast and dinner included.

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Why it stands out: You explore graphic design, creative coding, motion graphics, and game-engine worldbuilding in one program, with UC credit.

13. California State Summer School for the Arts: Visual Arts

Location: California State Summer School for the Arts, Pomona, CA
Cost: Listed on CSSSA’s tuition page | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four weeks in summer (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Listed on CSSSA’s How to Apply page
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8-12, including graduating seniors | International eligibility not specified

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CSSSA’s Visual Arts program is a four-week program built around rigorous studio practice and critical thinking. You’re assigned a first- and second-choice studio from illustration, digital media, painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture. 

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Everyone also takes figure drawing and Art and Culture, a seminar that brings in visiting artists from across the country. Studios stay open in the evenings so you can finish projects and work on personal pieces. Field trips to local museums, galleries, and artists’ studios round out the program.

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Why it stands out: You specialize in one or two studio disciplines while getting regular exposure to visiting professional artists.

14. University of Michigan Stamps Portfolio Prep

Location: Stamps School of Art & Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Virtual session available
Cost: $750 (virtual) | $6,000 (residential, including room, board, and field trips) | Financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15-26, 2026 (virtual) | July 12-25 or July 26th - August 8th, 2026 (residential) (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: February 1st, 2026 (early action) | March 1st, 2026 (final)
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9-11; five portfolio images, a 250-word statement, and a transcript required | International eligibility not specified

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Stamps Portfolio Prep is a two-week program focused on developing and curating a competitive portfolio for college applications. You take six classes: Drawing Studio, 2D Studio, 3D Studio, 4D Studio, Portfolio Studio, and Admissions Studio. 

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In Portfolio Studio, you practice photo documentation, written descriptions, and curation, while Admissions Studio covers application strategy and college essays. You also get portfolio reviews from the Stamps Admissions team and peer mentorship from current Stamps students. Residential students tour campus and take field trips to local museums.

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Why it stands out: You get direct guidance from an art school admissions team on building and presenting your portfolio.

15. SCAD Rising Star

Location: SCAD Savannah, GA, or SCAD Atlanta, GA
Cost: Listed on SCAD’s admission and tuition page
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 26th - July 23rd, 2027
Application Deadline: 2027 applications are open
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors | International eligibility not specified

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SCAD Rising Star is a four-week program that awards college credit to rising seniors ready for a university experience. You enroll in two college-level classes, chosen from foundation studies, general education, and major-specific electives. 

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Instructors give you one-on-one guidance, and you work with professional software like Adobe Creative Cloud. You can use SCAD’s classrooms, labs, studios, production suites, libraries, and galleries for your assignments. Residential students live in a SCAD residence hall and eat at a SCAD dining hall.

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Why it stands out: You earn college credit in two classes while using a major art university’s full range of facilities.

Frequently asked questions: Art-Focused Summer Schools for High School Students

What is the best art summer school for high school students?

The best art summer school depends on what you want from your summer. RISD Pre-College offers the fullest preview of art school, with five weeks of studio classes and about 550 students from 84 countries. If college credit matters most, SAIC awards one credit per week and Pratt awards four. If you’re focused on admissions, Stamps Portfolio Prep includes an Admissions Studio and portfolio reviews from its admissions team.

Do you need a portfolio to apply to an art summer school?

Many programs ask for portfolio samples, though requirements vary. NYU asks for 10 to 20 images, MICA asks for six pieces, and Stamps asks for five images with a short statement. Carnegie Mellon recommends five to 10 images but doesn’t require them, and Pratt welcomes all experience levels. MassArt only asks for a portfolio if you apply for college credit, including two observational drawings.

Do art summer schools give college credit?

Many do, but not all. SAIC awards one college credit for each week, Pratt awards four credits, Parsons and MassArt’s for-credit option each award three, and UCLA awards four quarter units on a pass/no pass basis. Carnegie Mellon and VCUarts are non-credit, though both build portfolio work. Immerse Education’s Career Insights pathway in Creative Industries offers an optional accredited route from age 14, worth 8 UCAS points or 3 US college credits.

Which art summer schools are in New York City?

Three programs on this list are in New York City: NYU’s Summer Art Intensive, Pratt’s Summer PreCollege Intensive in Brooklyn, and Parsons Summer Intensive Studies in Greenwich Village. NYU takes you to galleries and artists’ studios every Thursday, while Pratt includes site visits across the city. All three offer housing. For more options in the city, compare these summer art programs in New York City.

Can international students attend art summer schools?

Yes, many art summer schools welcome international students, though you’ll need to plan for visas. NYU and Pratt both require an F-1 visa, and Pratt’s international deadline is April 1st. Carnegie Mellon’s international deadline is February 1st, and RISD draws students from 84 countries. Immerse Education’s Career Insights pathway in Creative Industries welcomes students from around the world in London, and you can also compare art summer schools in Europe.

How does an art summer school help with art school admissions?

An art summer school helps you create stronger portfolio pieces and practice how you’ll present them. Carnegie Mellon offers 20- to 30-minute portfolio reviews with School of Art faculty, and Stamps teaches you to document, describe, and curate your work. SAIC students typically leave each session with two to three portfolio pieces. To keep building experience after summer, look into these summer art internships for high school students.

Your next step after an art summer school

An art summer school gives you studio time, critiques, and finished pieces, which together show whether art school truly fits your career goals.

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As you narrow down art-focused summer schools for teenagers, compare college credit, portfolio requirements, housing costs, and how each program reviews your work.

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Several programs, including Stamps and Pratt, set February 1st deadlines for early decisions or scholarships, so start photographing your strongest finished work now.

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When you’re ready to turn that portfolio into a strong application, explore our University Preparation blogs for guidance on choosing and applying to art schools.