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Writer's pictureStephen Turban

9 New York Summer Art Programs for High School Students

New York offers high school students a wide array of summer art programs that provide hands-on experiences, mentorship, and the opportunity to build a portfolio. Whether you're interested in painting, photography, film, or design, these programs offer enriching experiences to develop your artistic skills. 


Here are 9 summer art programs for high school students in New York, designed to foster creativity and artistic growth.


9 New York Summer Art Programs for High School Students



Location: The New School, New York, NY

Cost: $1,580 plus fees

Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)

Application Deadline: July 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Dates/Duration: July 29 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program) 


Parsons School of Design offers a pre-college program where students can explore visual arts, design, and architecture. Through hands-on studio work, critiques, and portfolio development, you’ll receive mentoring from art professionals and professors. The Academy offers a range of courses, including Animation Design, Fashion Design, Architecture, Graphic Design, and Portfolio Development. You can also build specialized fine art or design portfolios and have the option for your courses to count toward the Parsons Academy Certificate Program.




Location: School of Visual Arts, New York, NY

Cost: $2,500 (online), $3,000 (in-person)

Eligibility: High school students (ages 14–18)

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Dates/Duration: 3 weeks in July


The SVA Pre-College Program offers a wide range of courses, including painting, illustration, photography, animation, and more. You have the chance to immerse yourself in studio-based work, interact with industry professionals, and attend lectures. The program offers both in-person and online courses taught by faculty who also teach in SVA’s undergraduate programs. You will also receive college credit for completing the course. Students who register early can opt to stay in campus housing for an additional fee. 




Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost: Estimated total costs for 2025 vary by track, ranging from $7,664 to $11,496 for tuition, with additional fees for housing and activities

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors from around the world

Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 (scholarship deadline: January 17, 2025)

Dates/Duration: 4 weeks in the summer


This program offers training in areas such as filmmaking, drama, and photography. You will learn from NYU faculty and industry professionals, working on real projects and productions. You will also earn 4-6 college credits and have opportunities to showcase your work to family and friends. In the photography and imaging course, you’ll learn to use pictures for creative expression, communication, storytelling, and personal exploration. The filmmaker’s workshop gives you the chance to explore film theory while learning visual storytelling techniques. 




Location: Pratt Insitute, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: Varies, expect additional costs for materials ($200–$400), travel, and incidentals

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Application Deadline: April 14, 2025 (scholarship deadline: February 1, 2025; international deadline: April 1, 2025)

Dates/Duration: July 7 – August 1, 2025 (4 weeks)


Pratt's Pre-College Program offers you the opportunity to experience college-level courses in fine arts, design, architecture, and fashion. You will take two hands-on studio courses, earning 4 college credits while receiving instruction from Pratt faculty. In addition to your coursework, you’ll have access to one-on-one portfolio reviews, museum visits, and guided studio hours. The program emphasizes portfolio development and culminates in a final exhibition, allowing you to showcase your work to friends, family, and the Pratt community.




Location: Cooper Union, Manhattan, New York, NY

Cost: $4,000 (includes materials and museum entry fees; non-refundable registration fee of $240).

Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 (rising sophomores to seniors)

Application Deadline: Dates for 2025 will be announced soon (typically March for previous years)

Dates/Duration: July 8 – August 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)


Cooper Union’s Summer Art Intensive offers you the chance to develop your artistic skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking in a rigorous art college environment. The program fosters creativity and critical thinking. You will engage in hands-on learning, guided by professional artists and supported by Cooper Union undergraduates. The program culminates in a final exhibition showcasing student work, ideal for building a college-ready portfolio. Held on Cooper Union's East Village campus in Manhattan, the program includes all necessary materials and museum entry fees in the tuition but does not offer housing or meal plans.




Location: Museum of Modern Art, Manhattan, New York, NY

Cost: Free

Eligibility: New York City high school students aged 15-18

Application Deadline: June 6, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Dates/Duration: July 9 – August 22, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)


MoMA offers a free summer art program for high school students focused on contemporary art and design. Throughout the five-week program, you will explore the question, "What is your oasis in the city?" through creative projects involving drawing, photography, sculpture, performance, and collage. You will draw inspiration from the city, MoMA's collection, and your personal environments. You will meet three times a week and must attend every class. All necessary art materials, MetroCards for transportation, and snacks are provided. You can apply online and must submit a letter of recommendation by the deadline. 




Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY

Cost: $440 for 4-day workshops; $550 for 10-day classes

Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12)

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Dates/Duration: 4-10 days, summer


The Fashion Institute of Technology offers a variety of pre-college workshops in fashion design, illustration, and photography, ideal for high school students interested in exploring creative careers in fashion. You will work on hands-on projects and receive feedback from FIT faculty. Although the summer 2025 course list hasn’t been released yet, it’s likely to be similar to the classes offered in the fall. The fall selection included classes on drawing anatomy, sewing for fashion design, jewelry design, and short films. 




Location: New York Film Academy, New York, NY

Cost: $1,725 for 1-week workshops; $4,525 for 3-week workshops (varies by duration and location)

Eligibility: High school students (ages 14-17)

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Dates/Duration: 2 days to 6 weeks, summer


NYFA offers an immersive film and acting summer program where students create their own films, perform in productions, or learn digital editing. You will work with professional equipment and receive mentorship from NYFA faculty and industry professionals. Programs run Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll engage in hands-on projects and develop skills in filmmaking, acting for film, screenwriting, broadcast journalism, photography, musical theater, game design, and 3D animation. No prior experience is required for level-one camps, making this a good starting point for aspiring filmmakers and artists.




Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Cost: $1,840 per credit

Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least sophomore year, are at least 16 years old, and live with a parent or guardian within commuting distance 

Application Deadline: May 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Program Dates: June 24 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)


Cornell University in upstate New York offers art summer programs for local high school students. Although 2025 listings are yet to be released, two in-person courses were offered in 2024: ‘Painting: Language of Painting’ and ‘Print Media: Cultures of Print.’ The painting course focused on color theory and pictorial composition, teaching students how to use paint to create meaning beyond words. The print course charted the history of printmaking, including a critical reassessment of the definitions of lithography, digital printmaking, intaglio, and more. 


One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program


If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.


Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!


Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.


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