Summers during high school are often seen as a time to rest, unwind, and take a break from academic routines. But what if your summer could be something more? Through summer art programs in New York City for high school students, you can sharpen your creative skills, explore new artistic mediums, and learn alongside peers who share your passion for art.

Imagine studying fine art, design, photography, fashion, or digital media in a city that has shaped global art movements for decades. From world-renowned museums and galleries to cutting-edge studios and creative districts, NYC becomes an extended classroom, one where inspiration is everywhere.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, designer, or creative thinker, these programs allow you to experience art education in one of the world’s most vibrant cultural capitals. You’ll gain exposure to professional-grade facilities, receive mentorship from practicing artists, and experience the fast-paced, immersive creative environment that New York is known for.

What are summer art programs in New York City for high school students?

Summer art programs in New York City are short-term academic and experiential programs designed to help high school students develop artistic skills, build portfolios, and explore creative careers. Offered by prestigious art schools, universities, museums, and independent institutions, these programs cover disciplines such as fine arts, illustration, animation, graphic design, fashion, architecture, film, and photography.

These programs vary in intensity and focus, allowing students to either deepen an existing artistic interest or experiment with new creative fields. You’ll learn from experienced faculty and industry professionals, participate in studio-based learning, and receive constructive feedback on your work. 

While some summer programs may feel superficial or overly commercial, the right ones provide rigorous instruction, meaningful mentorship, and real creative growth. Choosing carefully matters, as not all programs offer the same level of depth, resources, or exposure.

To help you navigate your options, we’ve curated a list of 15 Summer Art Programs in New York City for High School Students. These programs have been selected for their instructional quality, creative rigor, and strong reputations within the art and design world.

15 Summer Art Programs in New York City for High School Students   

1. 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

The NYU High School Summer Art Intensive is an immersive pre-college art experience that helps you explore and expand your creative potential in a university-level setting. Across four weeks, you take core and elective studio art classes in disciplines like painting, sculpture, and digital art while working with practicing artists and NYU faculty who push you to experiment and refine your skills.

The program includes guided visits to New York City art institutions and artist spaces, giving you real insight into contemporary artistic practice in one of the world’s most influential creative cities. In addition to structured studio time, you engage with peers through open studio hours and social events, fostering a supportive creative community. The experience culminates in a final exhibition where you showcase the work you’ve developed over the summer. 

Why it stands out: You’ll experience new materials and technologies like textiles and laser cutting to enhance your breadth as artists and makers.

2. Immerse Education’s Fashion & Design Summer School 

Location: Barnard College, Columbia University, NYC
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: 28th Jun – 11th Jul, 12th Jul – 25th Jul
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students around the globe aged 15-18

Immerse Education’s Fashion & Design Summer School in New York offers the kind of immersive learning many look for when exploring summer art programs in New York City for high school students. Over two weeks, you learn core aspects of fashion design, including trend analysis, visual communication, and the business side of fashion, through hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions. You work on personal design projects with guidance from experienced tutors, developing practical skills like sketching, textile exploration, and conceptual thinking.

The programme also includes exciting industry visits and cultural excursions, allowing you to see how fashion lives and breathes throughout the city. Living on campus at Barnard College gives you a true taste of student life and helps you build connections with peers from around the world. By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: In this program, you’ll experience the fusion of art and function, exploring garment creation, interior design, and more.

3. Introduction to Architectural and Spatial Design: Columbia University Pre-College Programs

Location: Columbia University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Varies; you may request information here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited, selective cohort
Dates: June 22nd – June 26th
Application Deadline: Varies by overall Pre-College application cycle
Eligibility: Current domestic and international high school students interested in architecture and spatial design

This Introduction to Architectural and Spatial Design course, offered through Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs, introduces you to the fundamentals of spatial thinking and architectural design in a hands-on summer setting. Over the span of one intensive week, you engage in studio-based exercises that move from abstract form-making to a finished design proposal, guided by instructor and peer feedback.

You also learn core visual representation skills such as drawing and model-making, which help you explore spatial concepts and design solutions. The course emphasizes both conceptual development and practical skill building, so that you walk away with a design project that can strengthen your portfolio. In addition to studio work, you reflect on how architects and designers approach real-world spatial problems, broadening your understanding of the field’s processes. 

Why it stands out: You complete a tangible architectural design project in just one week, gaining both practical skills and portfolio material inspired by NYC’s creative environment.

4. Museum of Arts and Design Teen Programs: Artslife

Location: Museum of Arts and Design, NYC
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: Typically closes around April
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors enrolled in NYC public or charter schools

The Artslife program at the Museum of Arts and Design offers you a hands-on introduction to the world of museums, contemporary art, and design through a paid summer internship experience. Over several weeks, you work closely with museum educators and professionals, gaining exposure to areas such as curatorial practice, education, visitor engagement, and communications.

You participate in creative workshops, studio projects, and collaborative discussions that help you connect artistic practice with real-world cultural institutions. The program also includes visits to other museums and design spaces across New York City, giving you a broader understanding of the city’s art ecosystem. Along the way, you develop professional skills such as public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking while building confidence in your creative voice.

Why it stands out: You gain paid, behind-the-scenes museum experience while learning directly from working art and design professionals in NYC.

5. 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 around the world

The Drama, Production, and Design Workshop at NYU Tisch offers you an immersive four-week summer experience where you explore multiple facets of theatre-making, from acting and directing to stagecraft and design. You rotate through participative workshops that emphasize collaborative creation, practical skills, and artistic problem-solving under the guidance of Tisch faculty and working artists. Whether you’re building sets, crafting lighting designs, or honing performance techniques, you learn the essentials of theatrical production while gaining insight into the creative process as a whole.

The program also includes rehearsals, production labs, and opportunities to present work in performance spaces on campus, giving you a chance to bring your projects to life. This blend of technical learning and artistic expression mirrors real theatre environments, helping you decide where your interests lie in the performing arts world.

Why it stands out: You can explore theatre design and management as you build your stagecraft skills.

6. Drawing: Eye and Idea Pre-College Course at Columbia University

Location: Columbia University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by course and session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots per session
Dates: Summer A: June 29th – July 17th; Summer B: July 21st – August 7th
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students

The Drawing: Eye & Idea course at Columbia’s Pre-College Programs invites you to deepen your understanding of drawing by exploring both traditional techniques and creative interpretation in a studio environment. You engage in observational drawing and imaginative work, developing your visual skills through assignments that include exercises in composition, the use of charcoal and pencil, graphic drawing techniques, wet media, color theory, and optical illusions.

The class incorporates outdoor drawing sessions and critiques, where you reflect on your growth and artistic choices. Visits to major museums and galleries help you connect your practice to contemporary and historical art contexts. You also learn how to prepare finished work for a portfolio, and the course concludes with a group exhibition where you share your pieces with peers, instructors, and family.

Why it stands out: You get a balanced mix of observational drawing, creative experimentation, and portfolio preparation.

7. 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: Students worldwide in grades 8-12

The New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) gives you an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in intensive, pre-professional arts training alongside other passionate young artists. Over four weeks, you live on campus and work closely with internationally acclaimed artists, instructors, and creative professionals in disciplines like visual arts, media arts, or theatre.

The program combines rigorous studio instruction, performance practice, and creative collaboration with personalized feedback to help you grow technically and conceptually. You’ll refine your portfolio or performance skills, engage in critique sessions, and culminate your experience with public exhibitions or showcases of your work. 

Why it stands out: It is one of the most prestigious and intensive arts residential programs in New York State, offering professional-level training and mentorship that can significantly strengthen your creative capabilities and future artistic pathways.

8. Bloomberg Arts Internship Program

Location: Various local arts and cultural organizations in New York
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective placement
Dates: Late June-mid-August
Application Deadline: Notifications will be out in January
Eligibility: Juniors (rising high school seniors) from participating NYC high schools

The Bloomberg Arts Internship connects you with real arts and culture organizations across New York City for a summer of meaningful work, skill-building, and professional growth. As an intern, you’ll spend part of your time with a host organization, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as arts administration, exhibition planning, marketing, community engagement, and event coordination.

Alongside your placement, the program includes workshops and professional development sessions that focus on college readiness, workplace skills, and creative career exploration. You also join cultural site visits and discussions with arts professionals that introduce you to the breadth of creative roles that sustain New York’s vibrant arts scene. By the end of the internship, you will have deepened your understanding of how cultural institutions operate and built practical experience that strengthens your resume and future applications.

Why it stands out: You earn real work experience in New York’s arts ecosystem while sharpening professional skills and exploring future creative paths.

9. Parsons New York Summer Intensive Studies – The New School

Location: Parsons School of Design, The New School, NYC
Cost/Stipend: $5,610 tuition plus $265 university fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited enrollment
Dates: Session 1: June 8-26; Session 2: July 6-24
Application Deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: High school students from all around the world

Parsons New York Summer Intensive Studies offers you a chance to dive deep into creative practice in one of the world’s top design schools, tailored specifically for high school students. The program includes multiple tracks such as fashion design, communication design, illustration, product design, and more, each structured to sharpen your technical skill set and broaden your artistic perspective. You participate in studio work, critiques, workshops, and lectures that mirror university-level learning while working alongside peers who share your creative drive.

The curriculum emphasizes hands-on exploration, so you’ll leave with finished projects that reflect your growth, whether you’re sketching fashion collections or building interactive design prototypes. Parsons faculty and instructors bring professional insights and real-world context to your summer experience, helping you understand how design principles apply beyond the classroom. Living and studying in New York City also gives you direct exposure to galleries, studios, and cultural institutions that enrich your creative outlook.

Why it stands out: You gain immersive, design-centered studio experiences across multiple creative disciplines that closely reflect Parsons’ signature academic approach.

10. Understanding Cinema: Analyzing Film Language and Styles – Columbia University Pre-College Programs

Location:  Columbia University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by course and session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited enrollment per course
Dates: July 21st – August 7th
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students around the globe interested in film analysis and production fundamentals

The Understanding Cinema: Analyzing Film Language and Styles course at Columbia’s Pre-College Programs gives you a deep dive into how films communicate meaning through visuals, editing, narrative structure, and performance. Over several weeks, you analyze works from classic Hollywood to international cinema, learning how cinematic techniques shape storytelling and emotional experience.

You also participate in hands-on exercises like storyboarding, blocking, scene creation, and basic editing that help you connect theory with practice. Readings, screenings, and oral presentations round out the classroom experience, challenging you to think critically about both form and content. This course blends academic study with real cinematic practice, making it ideal if you’re curious about film beyond just watching it.

Why it stands out: You learn cinema from both analytical and practical perspectives, gaining insight into how films work while developing skills you can apply to your own creative projects.

11. 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 worldwide

Columbia University’s Introduction to Art Appreciation gives you a structured yet immersive way to understand how art communicates ideas, emotions, and cultural histories while studying in New York City. Through a mix of classroom discussions, close readings of works, and visits to renowned museums, you learn to analyze paintings, sculptures, installations, and other media.

The program encourages you to look beyond surface features to interpret symbolism, context, and artistic intent, and you’ll explore works from major NYC collections like MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Frick Collection, and the Guggenheim. In addition to in-class sessions, the course often incorporates experiential learning through museum visits and guided discussions that bring art theory to life. By the end of the experience, you’ll be able to talk about art with greater depth and sophistication and gain a strong foundation for future academic or creative pursuits.

Why it stands out: You interpret and discuss art using real works from world-class museum collections, making New York City itself your classroom.

12. Summer Scholars – Pratt Institute Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement

Location: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by class
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts by class
Dates: July 7th – July 18th
Application Deadline: Registration opens April 22nd, on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students worldwide entering grades 9-12

Pratt Institute’s Summer Scholars program gives you a creative two-week immersion in art and design studio classes taught by faculty from Pratt’s Schools of Art, Design, and Architecture. You can choose from hands-on courses like architecture fundamentals, object drawing, painting, figure drawing, or sustainable fashion and textiles, all designed to help you build technical skills and confidence in your artistic voice. These studio classes focus on active practice, whether you’re exploring physical and digital model making, visual composition, or experimental approaches to sustainable creative work.

Smaller class sizes mean that you get more personalized guidance from instructors and have the chance to engage deeply with peers who share your creative interests. The program runs weekdays in early July with classes structured to fit busy summer schedules, and financial aid is available for students who need assistance. By the end of the two weeks, you’ll have completed meaningful studio work and gained insight into collegiate-level art and design practice.

Why it stands out: It lets you explore multiple art and design disciplines in a short, intensive summer format, with instruction from professional artists and designers.

13. Art History – Sotheby’s Summer Institute

Location: Various museums in New York
Cost/Stipend: Day program $6,195; Residential program $7,695
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small, selective cohort
Dates: July 5-17 and July 19-31
Application Deadline: Varies by summer
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders and graduating seniors from around the world

The Art History course at Sotheby’s Summer Institute gives you a deeply immersive exploration of global art movements, iconic artists, and major cultural traditions, all anchored in New York City’s unmatched museum and gallery landscape. You examine masterpieces from ancient to contemporary art through lectures, guided discussions, and in-person visits to world-famous institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Frick Collection, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Along the way, you learn to connect visual analysis with historical and cultural contexts, sharpen your visual literacy, and build a rich understanding of how art and architecture reflect changing societies and ideas. The program also includes expert talks and behind-the-scenes access that deepen your insight into art as both creative expression and historical record. With field experiences woven into academic study, you get a chance to see art history brought vividly to life beyond the classroom.

Why it stands out: You get guided, hands-on engagement with major collections, museums, and experts, turning New York City itself into your classroom and bringing art history to life.

14. Barnard Pre-College Programs: Global Humanities

Location: Barnard College, NY
Cost/Stipend:  Residential tuition $10,771; commuter tuition $8,160
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective cohort with limited enrollment
Dates: Session 1: June 29th – July 17th; Session 2: July 20th – August 7th
Application Deadline: Early spring / rolling admissions (check official site for exact deadlines)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from around the world

The Global Humanities track within Barnard College’s Pre-College Programs gives you a chance to explore critical ideas, including art and design, across cultures, societies, and historical contexts while living and studying in the heart of New York City. Course offerings include topics like ‘fashion and design in world culture’, ‘graffiti and politics’, among others like ‘sex and gender across long time’; complemented with assignments and discussions that push you to think deeply.

Classroom sessions are complemented by field trips across the city, making your learning connect directly with real urban environments and cultural institutions. You engage in close readings, analytical writing, collaborative discussions, and guided research that strengthen your understanding of how humanities disciplines shape our view of global issues. 

Why it stands out: You study arts and humanities in an interdisciplinary way that connects classroom learning with cultural experiences.

15. Painting: The Painted Image – Columbia University Pre-College Programs

Location: Columbia University, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Tuition applies (fees vary by session and course)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: Summer A: June 29th – July 17th; Summer B: July 21st – August 7th
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students worldwide interested in expanding their painting skills

The program offers you a deep dive into the fundamentals and creative complexities of painting in a structured summer studio environment. You explore painting from direct observation, learning traditional techniques in oil paint, experimenting with color theory, composition, and working with live models to understand the human form. Studio time is enriched with group and individual critiques that help refine your visual thinking and technical execution, while weekly field trips to major New York City museums and galleries broaden your awareness of contemporary and historical practice.

In addition to hands-on work, short seminars introduce critical issues in art that encourage you to think conceptually about your creative decisions. The program also helps you strengthen your portfolio by guiding you through the preparation of finished works suitable for college applications, and it culminates in a group exhibition where you share your work with peers and guests. 

Why it stands out: It combines rigorous technique development with portfolio preparation and museum-linked learning.

From Studio Skills to Creative Careers

Immersing yourself in art over the summer goes beyond improving technique. It builds discipline, sharpens creative thinking, and shows how ideas evolve through practice and critique.

In New York, structured creative study places you inside real artistic ecosystems, where studios, museums, and classrooms blend into one continuous learning environment.

Experiences shaped through various summer art programs in New York City for high school students quietly mirror professional pathways, helping you develop portfolios, confidence, and a clearer sense of direction.

When you’re ready to explore what comes next, our Career Exploration blogs offer insights, guidance, and practical perspectives to help transform creative curiosity into informed, long-term choices.