10 Free Summer Art Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Free summer art programs offer high school students a chance to gain exposure to college-level academics, develop practical skills, and connect with industry professionals without the financial burden of expensive pre-college programs.
Free summer art programs provide an opportunity to immerse in intensive coursework, experiment with different artistic disciplines, and receive mentorship from experts. You will also get a glimpse of campus life and higher education expectations, helping you refine your creative interests and undergraduate goals.
For those serious about pursuing a career in art, fully funded summer programs can strengthen portfolios and provide valuable experience. However, many of these programs are highly competitive, with low acceptance rates and demanding application processes. We've identified the top 10 free summer art programs based on their prestige, funding, and professional network access. These programs offer a valuable opportunity to explore artistic potential while minimizing costs.
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend based on participation.
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark.
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: March 24; April 14.
Eligibility: High school students who identify as young women or gender-expansive and live in New York City or Newark.
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute is a leadership-focused program for young women and gender-expansive high school students in New York City and Newark. It offers a collaborative space to explore identity, social justice, and activism, while developing leadership and confidence. Through dynamic discussions, workshops, and field trips, you will engage in critical thinking and creative problem-solving.
A key course, Creating Change: Art and Activism in America, explores how artistic expression can be a tool for social change, using mediums like performance, poetry, storytelling, and public art. The program also connects you with mentors who offer guidance on activism and creative fields. These experiences provide opportunities to gain hands-on knowledge and refine your leadership skills while making meaningful connections.
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend.
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY.
Dates: Between June to August.
Application Deadline: March 7.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 10 or 11 (or two to three years from graduating high school or earning a High School Equivalency degree) who reside or attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut as of the application deadline.
The Met High School Internship Program offers students the chance to explore art, museum work, and creative careers while gaining professional experience. You will work across various museum departments, such as education, marketing, conservation, and scientific research. The program emphasizes mentorship and small cohort collaborations, helping you understand museum operations and develop transferable workplace skills. It is designed to support students from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on increasing representation in the arts. A stipend is provided based on New York State’s minimum wage laws, and accommodations for the application process can be requested by contacting highschoolinterns@metmuseum.org.
Cost: Free; tuition, books, room and board, and field trips are fully covered.
Location: Cornell University and University of Maryland.
Dates: June 22-26.
Application Deadline: December 3.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–18 at the start of the program).
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a fully funded, immersive academic program for high school sophomores and juniors focused on critical thinking, social change, and the arts. You will engage with a curriculum centered on history, politics, literature, and visual culture through daily discussions, readings, and faculty-led lectures. The program emphasizes Critical Black Studies and Anti-Oppressive Studies, exploring the intersections of race, identity, and artistic expression. Art is central to TASS, as students analyze how visual and literary works influence social movements and challenge dominant narratives. The TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) seminars specifically examine the contributions of people of African descent across history, politics, literature, and the arts.
Cost: Free; full scholarships cover tuition, room and board, field trips, books, and all related program expenses.
Location: Spelman College, Atlanta, GA.
Dates: June 20 - July 18.
Application Deadline: April 1.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors.
The Art History and Curatorial Studies Early College Program at Spelman College offers high school students an immersive introduction to visual culture, art history, and museum studies. Through lectures, workshops, and discussions, you will explore African American and Western art while learning how museums, archives, and libraries collect, preserve, and interpret these works. A key part of the program is the Ways of Seeing: Art History, Curating, and Museums course, where students earn three undergraduate credits. The program also includes site visits to leading art institutions in Atlanta, providing exposure to curatorial practices and museum operations.
Cost: Free; students receive a monthly stipend (amount unspecified).
Location: High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA.
Dates: June 2 - July 25.
Application Deadline: March 1.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors.
The Teen Team Program at the High Museum of Art provides high school students with an in-depth look at museum operations, art history, and community engagement. Over the course of a year, you will gain hands-on experience working within a major cultural institution while developing professional and civic skills. The program begins with an 8-week summer intensive, where students collaborate on an art history project and receive mentorship from museum professionals. Throughout the year, you will take on active roles in museum events, including Teen Nights and public programs, while deepening your knowledge of the museum’s collections.
Cost: Free.
Location: Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Queens, NY.
Dates: July 7 – August 1.
Application Deadline: N/A.
Eligibility: Open to NYC Department of Education public school students entering grades 8–12. Admission is selective and requires an application and virtual audition. Students may apply to only one studio.
The Summer Arts Institute, hosted by the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), is a four-week program for NYC public school students aiming to refine their artistic skills. Held at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, the program allows students to specialize in their chosen artistic discipline through intensive studio work, workshops, and hands-on training. You will collaborate with professional artists, gaining industry insights and exposure to various artistic techniques. The program also includes rehearsals, performances, and career exploration sessions to help you understand how to turn your artistic passions into viable careers.
7. City Art Lab
Cost: Free.
Location: City College of New York, New York, NY.
Dates: February 25 – May 13.
Application Deadline: February 14.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
City Art Lab, hosted by CCNY’s Art Education Program, is a free after-school program that offers high school students the opportunity to develop their artistic skills in a collaborative, college-level setting. Held on the City College of New York (CCNY) campus, the program allows students to experiment with different materials and techniques, guided by practicing artists and graduate students in art education.
The initiative fosters creative growth while providing exposure to art education, college life, and portfolio development. Participants meet weekly, working on hands-on projects that culminate in a final exhibition to showcase their work. All materials are provided, making this an accessible opportunity for aspiring artists to expand their knowledge and connect with peers across NYC.
Cost: $4,830; scholarships available for California residents based on financial need.
Location: California State Summer School for the Arts, Sacramento, CA.
Dates: July 5 – August 1.
Application Deadline: February 28.
Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12.
The Visual Arts Program at CSSSA offers a college-level experience for young artists, combining studio practice, critical analysis, and historical context. The program encourages experimentation across various mediums while fostering independent thought and creative problem-solving.
Core courses include figure drawing, design, and “Arts and Culture,” a seminar with guest artists. You can also select from specialized studio classes such as ceramics, digital media, acrylic painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
Cost: California students in grades 9–11 in the spring may qualify for UCLA’s need- and merit-based Summer Scholars Support scholarship.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Dates: Between June-July.
Application Deadline: Typically in June.
Eligibility: Open to students in 9th-12th grade in Spring.
The UCLA Department of Art’s Summer Art Institute offers a two-week immersive experience for high school students interested in contemporary art. With two in-person sessions and one virtual option, the program includes daily studio work, faculty-led artist lectures, group critiques, and personalized feedback from instructors. Students explore various artistic disciplines and gain exposure to UCLA’s top-tier art facilities and visiting artist presentations.
Courses are tailored to different artistic interests. Drawing focuses on observational and imaginative techniques, Painting covers color theory, composition, and conceptual development, Photography includes both digital and darkroom methods (DSLR camera required), and Sculpture introduces contemporary and historical techniques in UCLA’s professional sculpture lab.
Cost: $5,660 (day program) | $6,990 (residential program). Limited financial aid available. Students enrolling in multiple sessions are eligible for a $500 discount per session.
Location: New York City, NY.
Dates: Between July to August.
Application Deadline: February 26.
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 15 and older in grades 10–12, including graduating seniors.
The Sotheby’s Institute of Art’s High School Art History Program offers an introduction to art history, museum studies, and the art market. This immersive summer program includes expert-led lectures, guided museum tours, exclusive site visits, and conversations with renowned curators, scholars, and art professionals.
Students will explore art from various global perspectives, including Egyptian art, pre-Columbian artifacts, Chinese dynasties, Japanese prints, Islamic traditions, and major Western movements like Impressionism, Modernism, and contemporary trends. By engaging directly with iconic works and architectural landmarks, you will gain insights into art’s evolution across cultures and time periods.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in art, 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!
Image Source - UCLA Logo
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.