As a high school student interested in art, the field can feel both inspiring and exhausting. You might wonder what studying art involves beyond sketching, painting, or creating projects in your classroom. After all, art is not just about technique; it also includes visual storytelling, conceptual thinking, art history, critique, and experimentation across mediums. One of the best ways to truly explore your artistic interests is by participating in summer art programs for high school students.

Imagine spending your summer in a studio environment, learning directly from professional artists, experimenting with materials you’ve never used before, or building a portfolio alongside peers who share your creative passion. By enrolling in a summer art program, you’ll gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship from experts, and get a glimpse of what art education looks like at the college level. Whether your interests lie in fine arts, film studies, design, or art history, these programs offer a space to grow creatively and intellectually.

How do you choose the right Summer Art Programs for High School Students?

Choosing the right summer art program can be challenging. Some programs may be too broad, overly focused on recreational activities, or lack meaningful instruction and critique. Others might not align with your specific artistic goals, whether that’s portfolio development, exposure to new mediums, or preparation for art school. That’s why having clear guidance is essential to help you evaluate your options and find a program that truly supports your growth.

Many universities, art schools, and cultural institutions offer summer art programs that are immersive, rigorous, and rooted in professional artistic practice. You may explore drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, graphic design, or art history, while also learning critical skills such as visual analysis, conceptual development, and creative problem-solving. Some programs emphasize studio-based learning and portfolio building, while others combine coursework, critiques, museum visits, and collaborative projects.

No matter the format or intensity, these programs require dedication and creative effort. To make your decision easier, we’ve curated a list of the 15 best Summer Art Programs for High School Students. These programs have been selected for their academic quality, mentorship opportunities, and strong reputations in the art and design world.

15 Summer Art Programs for High School Students 

1. Museum of Arts and Design Teen Programs: Artslife

Location: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; ~$16.50 hourly stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small, selective cohort of around 10 students
Dates: 6 weeks during July and August (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Applications usually close around April (varies by year)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors enrolled in NYC public or charter schools

The Artslife Summer program is a paid internship at the Museum of Arts and Design that gives you a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes at a major cultural institution and experience what working in the arts and museum world really involves. You collaborate with museum staff, local designers, and arts professionals on meaningful projects that touch on curatorial work, education, marketing, visitor engagement, and more.

You’ll build connections with fellow interns and get oriented to how the museum operates. You’ll contribute to creative initiatives like peer-to-peer tours and podcast series that reflect your voice and interests. The program also includes leadership development, communication workshops, and visits to other cultural institutions across New York City to broaden your perspective on arts careers. 

Why it stands out: It combines real museum-related work with creative projects and leadership training, all while paying you for your contribution. 

2. Immerse Education’s Fine & Digital Art Summer School

Location: London, UK
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small class sizes; average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students around the world aged 15-18 

The Fine & Digital Art Summer School offered by Immerse Education is one of the most immersive summer art programs for high school students, combining classic and contemporary artistic techniques in a global city like London. You’ll take part in hands-on studio workshops covering drawing, painting, sculpture, and new media art, alongside digital art software sessions designed to expand your creative toolkit. Alongside expert-led art history discussions and individual coaching, you’ll work on personal projects that help you build a stronger artistic voice and portfolio.

The program also includes guided visits to local galleries and museums, giving you real-world context for your work and inspiration from world-renowned collections. Staying on campus in central London lets you live and study like a college student while connecting with peers who are equally passionate about art. By the end of the two weeks, you’ll have grown both technically and conceptually as an artist. Here’s the enrolment link.

Why it stands out: You get personalized mentorship and studio experience in one of the world’s most creatively vibrant cities while building work you can show in future applications.

3. Pre-College Art Program – Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)

Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies for the residential and commuter options
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 3-week: June 20th – July 11th; 6-week: June 20th – August 1st
Application Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility:  Must be in 10th or 11th grade and at least 16 by the program start date; international students are welcome to apply

At Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Art Program, you immerse yourself in college-level studio education where traditional craftsmanship meets innovative creative problem-solving. You choose to attend sessions exploring courses like drawing, sculpture, animation, painting, digital photography, printmaking, and the unique Concept Studio that encourages deeper thinking about artistic practice.

Each day includes morning and afternoon classes with individual instruction, hands-on projects, demonstrations, and group critiques. Elective Friday workshops allow you to experiment with new techniques and ideas. Because class sizes are kept small, you receive focused feedback and engage closely with faculty and undergraduate teaching assistants from CMU’s School of Art.

Why it stands out: It replicates a true collegiate art school experience with studio immersion, personal feedback, and opportunities for portfolio development that set you up for future creative study.

4. Yale Summer Session 

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the number of credits opted for
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 25th – June 26th; June 29th – July 31st
Application Deadline: Applications open in mid-January; deadlines vary
Eligibility: Students worldwide entering the senior year of high school or recent high school graduates who are 16+ by program start 

The Yale Summer Session for Pre-College Students gives you access to a focused set of art-related courses. You can choose among offerings such as Basic Drawing, Painting Basics, and Introduction to Digital Photography to explore both creative practice and visual analysis in an academic setting. Throughout the program, you work in well-equipped studios, take part in one-on-one and group critiques, and learn directly from Yale faculty through lectures and discussions.

The coursework encourages you to think critically about your ideas while developing technical skills across different media. By living on campus, you experience day-to-day student life at Yale, from staying in residence halls to eating in dining halls and spending time in university libraries. 

Why it stands out: It lets you actually enroll in Yale credit-bearing courses and experience collegiate academics and campus life alongside real undergraduates.

5. Harvard Pre-College Program 

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Cost of ~$6,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program with small class sizes (typically 12–18 students per class)
Dates: Three 2-week sessions in summer: June 21st – July 2nd; July 5th – July 17th; July 19th – July 31st
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors all over the world aged 16-19

Through Harvard’s Pre-College Program, you can explore a selection of art-focused courses that introduce you to contemporary artistic ideas and practices. Courses span topics like ‘Beauty, Urinals and Revolution: The Philosophy of Art’,  ‘Photography and the Social World’, and ‘Family Drama: Crime, Destiny and Tragic Kinship’, allowing you to approach art from both theoretical and practical perspectives. You spend time engaging with works at the Harvard Art Museums, where you study significant pieces up close and use them as references for discussion and analysis.

The program encourages you to take ownership of your learning through independent projects that reflect your interests and creative voice. Along the way, you attend talks by guest speakers working in the arts and receive constructive guidance from Harvard faculty, all while living on campus and experiencing daily life as a Harvard student.

Why it stands out: It immerses you in the pace and expectations of college academics while you live, study, and connect with students from diverse backgrounds in a world-renowned university setting.

6. Bloomberg Arts Internship Program

Location: Multiple cities across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Exact dates vary
Application Deadline: Around February/ March
Eligibility: Juniors (rising high school seniors) from participating NYC high schools

The Bloomberg Arts Internship gives you a paid, real-world experience in arts and culture organizations in major US cities while also helping you build professional and college readiness skills. Over the several weeks of the summer program, you spend most of your time working onsite at a partner museum, theatre, gallery, or arts nonprofit, contributing to authentic projects and daily operations under the mentorship of arts professionals.

In addition to your work placement, you take part in structured workshops and excursions that sharpen your communication, leadership, writing, and self-advocacy skills while exposing you to the many pathways available in creative industries. Depending on your host city, you’ll join a cohort of interns who share your interests and support each other as you grow.

Why it stands out: Real work experience opportunity in the arts ecosystem while sharpening professional skills and exploring future creative paths.

7. UCLA Department of Design Media Arts Summer Institute

Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition and fees vary by UCLA Summer Sessions pricing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Typically in July and August (dates may vary each year); offerings announced in January
Application Deadline: Registrations will open on February 18th
Eligibility: High school students all around the world aged 15+ for commuter options and 17+ for residential options

At UCLA, the Department of Design Media Arts Summer Institute stands out among the different summer art programs for high school students for its focus on design, creative technology, and media innovation. You work in areas such as 2D image making, 3D world building, and motion design while learning directly from UCLA faculty and experienced instructors.

Throughout the program, you use advanced campus facilities and tools as you examine how art, technology, and design come together in real creative work. Your experience concludes with a final showcase where you present projects that can strengthen your portfolio. Along the way, you also get a preview of college-level learning, develop new creative skills, earn academic credit, and build confidence for future applications.

Why it stands out: You dive into cutting-edge design media disciplines and leave with a portfolio-ready body of work created in a small, supportive creative community. 

8. Summer Institute for Teens – Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Location: Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Cost/Stipend: Early bird and regular tuition varies for domestic and international students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats per studio
Dates: June 29th – July 24th
Application Deadline: Early bird discount registration by February 28th
Eligibility: Domestic and international students ages 16 to 18 or those who have completed Grade 10 by July 1st

The Summer Institute for Teens at Emily Carr University offers an intensive, month-long art and design experience on a real university campus where you immerse yourself in creative practice alongside peers who love making art as much as you do. You choose one studio concentration, from painting and animation to illustration and game development, and build skills that help you refine your style and expand your portfolio.

Classes combine engaging projects, critiques, instructor feedback, and opportunities to explore different media and methods with professional artists and designers. In addition to studio time, you’ll take part in group discussions and informal events that deepen your understanding of creative thinking and contemporary visual culture. The program culminates in a public exhibition of your work to celebrate your growth and hard work.

Why it stands out: You get a real university-level art experience and portfolio development while connecting with other young creatives in a vibrant environment in Vancouver, Canada.

9. New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) – New York State Education Department

Location: SUNY Fredonia, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition approx. $2,800; financial aid available based on need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, limited cohort
Dates: 4-week program usually in July and August
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: New York students in grades 8-12

With the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA), you’ll choose a discipline like visual arts, media arts, or theatre and work intensely with professional artists and instructors. The program will help you refine your craft through engaging studio work, performance, critique, and creative collaboration. The schedule is rigorous and provides you with sustained opportunities to push your skills, explore advanced techniques, and achieve meaningful creative breakthroughs.

You live on campus with peers who share your artistic drive, building community and expanding your perspective on what’s possible as a young artist. Alongside your artistic training, you also receive mentorship on leadership, creative thinking, and preparing for future study or careers in the arts. The experience concludes with public presentations or exhibitions that showcase what you have developed during the program.

Why it stands out: It’s a competitive, immersive residential arts training environment that helps you grow both technically and creatively while connecting you with accomplished mentors and peers from across the state.

10. International Summer School – University of the Arts London (UAL)

Location: London, UK
Cost/Stipend: Fee starts from £3,670 (approx)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:  Limited enrollment
Dates: 3 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students around the globe aged 16 to 18 with an interest in art and design

The UAL International Summer School is a three-week creative course and one of the leading summer art programs for high school students, inviting you to dive into art and design in the heart of London at one of the world’s leading art university campuses. During the program, you work on projects that stretch your imagination, build practical skills, and help you grow a body of work that can be part of your portfolio for future study.

You explore a variety of media, including drawing, collage, design, mark-making, and 3D modelling, while learning from tutors who encourage experimentation and personal expression. The course structure mirrors aspects of foundation art studies but is tailored to give you confidence and fresh perspectives on creative practice. Alongside studio work, you’ll benefit from group discussions and feedback that sharpen how you present and think about your ideas. 

Why it stands out: It places you in a real art school setting in one of the world’s most vibrant cultural cities, letting you build skills, connect with peers, and explore what art school life feels like.

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

Location: College campus in the Los Angeles area, CA
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies for California residents and others
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 6th – August 1st
Application Deadline: February 28th
Eligibility: Students all over the world entering grades 9-12 next academic year, or recent high school graduates

The California State Summer School for the Arts is about a month-long, residential arts immersion designed for high school artists who want to deepen their skills and explore creative disciplines at a pre-professional level. You choose one of seven art areas, such as animation, film, visual arts, theatre, dance, music, or creative writing, and spend your days in studio classes, workshops, and seminars.

Studio work covers rigorous training in techniques, creative problem-solving, and conceptual development, and you often engage with guest artists, field trips, and performances. Outside of class, living with peers in dorms helps you build community and independence, and you can connect with students from across the state and beyond who bring diverse artistic voices and backgrounds. Successful completion awards you the title of California Arts Scholar and eligibility for three college credits.

Why it stands out: It’s one of the most selective and immersive arts intensives in the U.S., combining serious artist training with creative community and opportunities that can elevate your portfolio and artistic confidence.

12. High School Summer Art Intensive at NYU

Location: New York University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Tuition ~$4,800; housing and meal costs additional
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~54 students
Dates: July 5th – August 1st
Application Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility: High school students worldwide aged 15-18 entering 10th-12th grade

At NYU’s High School Summer Art Intensive, you spend four weeks living and creating at one of the most dynamic art campuses in New York City while developing a substantial body of work guided by college-level faculty. You’ll take structured studio classes in areas like painting, digital art, and sculpture, and explore New York’s rich cultural scene through weekly visits to galleries and artist studios.

Alongside focused instruction, there are open studio times where you can experiment with materials and push your work further under informal mentorship. The program builds a close, creative community of peers and encourages critical thinking about contemporary visual art practices. Everything culminates in a final exhibition of your work in NYU’s galleries, giving you an authentic chance to present what you’ve developed to guests, friends, and family. 

Why it stands out: It blends serious studio practice with firsthand experience of art life in New York City while you build work that can go straight into your portfolio.

13. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pre-College Program

Location: Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: Varies for the residential and commuter students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 27th – August 1st
Application Deadline: March 11th
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 between 10th and 11th grade or 11th and 12th grade during the summer; international students are welcome to apply

RISD’s Pre-College Program offers you a five-week immersion into fine arts, design, and architecture at a school known for its influence on creative education. The experience is built around exploration and risk-taking, giving you space to experiment and begin shaping your own artistic direction. You work with a wide range of materials, processes, and tools while taking studio classes that reflect the pace and expectations of college-level study.

Throughout the program, you learn from practicing artists and RISD faculty who challenge you to think critically about your work and push it further. Beyond the studio, you take part in museum visits, artist talks, and critiques with peers, all of which help you grow your skills and develop portfolio pieces in a focused, demanding creative setting.

Why it stands out: You experience college studio life and expand your artistic range while building work and confidence that can elevate your future application and creative practice.

14. Introduction to Art Appreciation – Columbia University Pre-College Programs 

Location: Columbia University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Tuition applies (fees vary by course and session)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited enrollment with small class sizes
Dates: June 29th – July 17th
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students all over the world

Columbia University’s Introduction to Art Appreciation offers you a guided entry point into understanding how visual art expresses ideas, feelings, and social meaning. You take part in structured discussions and detailed examinations of artworks that help you learn how to read images thoughtfully rather than at face value. The course pushes you to consider context, symbolism, and artistic purpose as you study a wide range of media, from painting and sculpture to installation and mixed forms.

Your learning extends beyond the classroom through visits to major institutions such as MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney, the Frick Collection, and the Guggenheim. By the end of the program, you’ll develop the confidence and vocabulary to discuss art with clarity and insight, giving you a solid base for further academic study or creative exploration.

Why it stands out: You learn to analyze art by engaging directly with masterpieces in some of the world’s most respected museums, turning the city into an active learning space.

15. NYU Tisch School of the Arts: Drama, Production, and Design Workshop

Location: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Tuition approximately $12,012
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, limited enrollment
Dates: July 5th – August 1st
Application Deadline:  Varies by year
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors from all nationalities

At NYU Tisch’s Drama: Production and Design Workshop, you dive deep into the technical and creative side of theatre as you build practical skills that are essential behind the scenes in live performance. You spend substantial studio time learning stagecraft fundamentals such as scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, drafting, and production management under the mentorship of Tisch faculty and industry professionals.

You also take part in a weekly seminar that introduces you to New York’s vibrant theatre landscape through visits to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and talks with designers, technicians, and managers working in the field. The schedule blends structured classes, collaborative projects, and open studio work, culminating in a final presentation that highlights the creative and organizational work you’ve developed. 

Why it stands out: You gain essential experience in the creative and technical elements of theatrical production in the heart of New York City, preparing you for future study or work in the performing arts.

Turning Artistic Passion Into Pathways

Exploring art beyond the classroom helps you understand how creativity translates into real academic and professional directions. These experiences offer clarity, confidence, and motivation.

These 15 summer art programs for high school students provide space to experiment, receive expert feedback, and discover which creative disciplines truly excite you.

By learning in studios, museums, and universities, you begin to see how artistic skills connect to future study and careers.

To keep exploring what your interests could become, visit our Career Exploration blogs for guidance, insights, and next steps.