15 Art History Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 31 minutes ago
- 11 min read
If you’re a high school student curious about art history, structured programs can help you experience college‑level academics and museum work. These programs allow you to study visual culture, explore how museums and galleries operate, and learn how historical context shapes art. Through discussions, guided research, and exposure to professional settings, you can strengthen your critical thinking and communication skills while learning from experts in the field.
Why should you join an art history program?
Art history programs introduce you to a wide range of topics, from classical art and architecture to modern and contemporary movements, while helping you see how art connects to culture, politics, and society. Depending on the program, you might analyze works in museum collections, assist with curatorial projects, or develop creative responses to historical themes. These opportunities not only expand your understanding of art but also help you explore careers in museum studies, education, conservation, or research.
To help you get started, we have 15 art history programs for high school students.
If you are looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,100 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified; selective with group interviews
Dates: Summer (exact dates vary yearly)
Application Deadline: Opens in early February (exact date TBA)
Eligibility: Students in grade 10 or 11 (or pursuing a high school equivalency) who attend school and live in NY, NJ, or CT
This summer internship offers you the chance to explore careers in museums while developing professional skills and building your network. You'll work in small cohorts with museum staff across departments such as curatorial, imaging, education, and digital media. You will also participate in workshops and collaborative projects, gaining exposure to behind-the-scenes museum operations. You don’t need any prior experience in art or art history—just an interest in learning about the museum world. The program is designed to support personal and career growth while introducing you to one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the country.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as history, international relations, computer science, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Paid position (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: 15 students selected annually
Dates: Summer Intensive: June 2 – July 25; year-round engagement through school year
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled full-time for the upcoming school year
As a Teen Team member, you'll join a small, selective group that works closely with museum staff to design and implement teen-focused events and public programming. The experience starts with an eight-week summer intensive program, where you'll explore the museum’s exhibitions and collections, collaborate on a group project, and learn about careers in the arts and museum sectors. Throughout the school year, you’ll continue meeting regularly and serve as an ambassador for the museum. The role blends leadership, arts education, and civic engagement in a hands-on, community-oriented setting. If you're interested in exploring history and culture through art and museum work, this is a great opportunity.
Location: Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY
Cost: Free; includes stipend for all participants
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size not published
Dates: RECESS I: February 18–21; RECESS II: April 15–18
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Teens aged 13–18 who reside in or attend school in NYC
The RECESS Intensive Program offers a short, hands-on museum internship during NYC public school breaks. You'll collaborate with other teens to create and deliver youth-friendly exhibition tours at the Museum of Arts and Design. As an intern, you'll go behind the scenes, learn how exhibitions are built and interpreted, and gain public speaking experience by leading tours for your peers. The program culminates in a final public presentation and also opens the door to continued involvement through MAD’s Teen Council. It’s a practical introduction to museum education and interpretation, and is ideal if you're exploring art history or cultural engagement.
Location: Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY
Cost: Free; interns are paid $16.50 per hour
Acceptance rate or cohort size: 10 students selected annually
Dates: Six-week summer program (exact dates vary yearly)
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors enrolled in NYC public or charter high schools
Artslife is a selective, paid summer internship blending art, design, and museum studies with leadership development. You'll explore careers in various museum departments, including curatorial, education, development, and communications. Over the course of six weeks, you'll collaborate on projects with museum professionals, lead tours, create your own artwork, and even produce a podcast. This program gives you comprehensive, behind-the-scenes exposure to museum operations while strengthening your communication, creative, and public speaking skills. If you're curious about how art institutions function and want mentorship from working professionals, Artslife offers valuable early experience.
Location: ArtsWestchester, White Plains, NY (hybrid and in-person options available)
Cost: Unpaid; travel stipends available; academic credit may be arranged
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not published; positions available across multiple departments
Dates: Varies; internships offered throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; varies by position
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors, college students, recent graduates, and mature professionals
ArtsWestchester offers internships across various departments, including gallery operations, arts-in-education, web content, and development. You’ll contribute to ongoing cultural programming while gaining professional skills in communication, project management, event planning, and database work. Depending on your placement, you may assist with exhibitions, education initiatives, or nonprofit administration, and you'll attend local arts events as part of your engagement. You’ll also participate in professional development workshops, making this a well-rounded option if you're exploring careers in arts administration, education, or curatorial work.
Location: Wave Hill, Bronx, NY
Cost: Free; interns are paid $17 per hour
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not published; selective, with 13-month commitment
Dates: June–June (13-month program); training in June–July; weekend work during the school year
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ by July 1; must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The ACES Internship offers a yearlong opportunity to merge your interests in art, science, and education through public-facing programming at Wave Hill’s Family Art Project. As an intern, you’ll help lead nature-inspired art workshops, assist with storytime, and develop your own creative educational project by the end of the program. In addition to weekend shifts, you’ll attend biweekly workshops and weekday summer training sessions that focus on STEAM education, museum work, and career readiness. The program features artist collaborations and cultural field trips, offering both practical skills and exposure to informal education within public institutions. This internship is ideal if you're seeking long-term engagement in both the arts and community education.
Location: Penn Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free; interns are paid $17.53 per hour, plus meals and transportation
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not published; part of a competitive citywide program
Dates: June 20–August 15; optional continuation through the academic year
Application Deadline: February 28; applications open January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending school in Philadelphia
This eight-week paid internship places you in one of Penn Museum’s departments—like Exhibits, Education, or Marketing—where you'll gain hands-on experience and complete a project under the guidance of museum professionals. You’ll also participate in career readiness and public speaking workshops while engaging with peers across Philadelphia's arts organizations. If selected for the school-year extension, you can continue your internship through May for up to 10 hours per week. Designed to support both professional growth and self-discovery, this internship is a great option if you're looking to explore museum careers while developing workplace and leadership skills.
Location: Newark Museum of Art, Newark, NJ
Cost: Free; includes paid internship and access to workshops and trips
Acceptance rate or cohort size: 50 students per year
Dates: Year-round (including after-school sessions and summer involvement)
Application Deadline: June 1; applications open March 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th–11th grade students who live in or attend school in Newark, NJ; minimum GPA of 2.7
The Explorers Teen Program is a multi-year, paid internship focused on college, career, and life readiness through museum-based learning. You’ll commit to weekly after-school sessions during the academic year and full-time hours in the summer, gaining hands-on experience across various museum departments. The program blends art and STEM learning with public speaking, research, and leadership training. Field trips, college tours, and special events like the Museum Gala offer further exposure to educational and professional opportunities. Over its 30-year history, the program has a strong track record of helping participants prepare for college and beyond.
Location: Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Fully funded; includes room, board, books, and field trips (travel to and from campus not included)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not published; selective, application required
Dates: June–July (exact dates TBC)
Application Deadline: April 1; applications open February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors of color
This fully funded four-week residential program introduces you to the fields of art history and curatorial studies through college-level coursework, museum fieldwork, and academic projects. Hosted by Spelman College and the Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective, the program includes lectures, site visits, and hands-on learning at the High Museum of Art and other regional institutions. You’ll earn three college credits and complete a curatorial project that reflects both historical and contemporary African American and Western art. Designed to support students of color, the program emphasizes diversity in the museum field and provides pathways into liberal arts and HBCU academic environments.
Location: Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; participants are paid $16.50/hour (returning apprentices earn $17.50/hour); MetroCards provided
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not published; competitive application required
Dates: November–June (weekly meetings); July–August (weekday sessions)
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025–26; next cycle opens July 2026
Eligibility: Open to all high school students in New York City
The Museum Apprentice Program is a year-long, paid internship that lets you explore museum education from the inside out. As an apprentice, you'll meet curators and artists, develop and teach educational content, and assist in programs for children and families. The program blends training in public speaking, research, and lesson planning with exposure to real-world museum operations. Over the summer, you'll work three days a week, engaging directly with visitors and helping lead activities. It's an excellent opportunity if you're looking to connect art history to education, social issues, and community engagement.
Location: Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York, NY
Cost: $6,195 (Day students); $7,695 (Residential students); $50 application fee; financial aid and payment plans available
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 5–17; July 19–31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application encouraged
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors; must be 15 years old by program start
At Sotheby’s Summer Institute, you’ll take a deep dive into the world of art history, art business, and luxury markets while living and learning in New York City. The two-week courses are taught by industry experts and include site visits to world-renowned museums, galleries, auction houses, and artists' studios. Whether you're exploring the global art market or the history behind major artistic movements, you'll gain firsthand experience through interactive sessions and real-world case studies. You will also experience a taste of college life, living in residence halls and engaging in academic and social programming. This program is a good option if you're looking to combine your interest in art history with exposure to the professional art world.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $2,285 tuition; $45 application fee; optional on-campus housing $425
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Limited enrollment; competitive admission based on interest and application
Dates: June 15–June 19
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until full; final deadline April 3
Eligibility: Students must be at least 18 years old by the start of the program; open to college students, educators, and other learners
The Yale Seminar in Art History is a weeklong intensive program focused on material literacy and hands-on object-based learning. Led by Professor Edward S. Cooke, Jr., the program emphasizes understanding artworks through direct interaction with materials and techniques. You'll study Yale’s collections up close, participate in studio workshops with artisans, and develop strategies for analyzing historical objects through construction and context. The curriculum combines lectures, fieldwork, and practical research, culminating in a student presentation of a collaborative object study. This immersive approach offers a strong foundation in art history for those interested in curatorial work, material culture, or design history.
Location: Rome, Italy
Cost: $6,950; $25 application fee; scholarships available; airfare not included
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not published; selective with application
Dates: Session I: June 16–July 6; Session II: July 9–July 29
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12); must be at least 14 years old
This three-week study abroad program immerses you in Rome’s vast artistic heritage through daily classes, museum visits, and hands-on workshops. You’ll explore Roman and Renaissance art history, practice techniques such as fresco painting and mosaic-making, and develop a creative portfolio inspired by iconic sites such as the Colosseum and the Vatican. There will be cultural excursions to nearby cities like Tivoli and Florence, which add depth to your understanding of Italian art and its global impact. Designed to blend historical knowledge with creative practice, this experience is ideal if you're looking to expand your art history education through international travel and experiential learning.
Location: California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
Cost: $2,500 for California residents; financial aid available; out-of-state students pay higher tuition
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Approximately 500 students accepted annually; competitive admissions
Dates: Four-week program in July–August (exact dates vary yearly)
Application Deadline: Typically in late February (check website for current cycle)
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 (including graduating seniors); open to California and limited out-of-state applicants
CSSSA offers an intensive pre-professional summer experience across several artistic disciplines, including a robust Visual Arts track that focuses on drawing, design, and sculpture, among others. You’ll work with practicing artists, attend lectures, and participate in workshops and field trips to museums and galleries. Although not strictly focused on art history, the program integrates historical context and curatorial thinking into studio practice. You’ll earn three units of CSU elective credit and leave with a deeper understanding of both the creative process and the broader cultural significance of the arts. This is a great fit if you're looking for a blend of hands-on creation and conceptual art exploration.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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