Summer is a time for you to explore your passions outside of the confines of school, and to take some time to grow and develop them into something remarkable. There are many different forms this can take, and we’ve written before about the best ways to spend your summer, and how you can find options depending on your interests.
In this article, we’re going to look at another group of students and their interests: those who are deeply invested in the arts. Now, the arts are a broad category, but tend to be lumped together, and many summer opportunities in the arts cater to many different varieties. In this article, we’re going to examine these programs, and how they can help your college applications. Let’s get started!
Art Programs and College Applications
We have a whole guide to applying to college as an arts student, but we’re going to take a moment to look at how summer programs fit within that. The first thing to note is that there is a distinction based on whether or not you intend to major in this specific art in college. For students majoring in art, having more experience is far more beneficial, especially if you find pieces for a portfolio or gain experience auditioning.
If you are not intending to major in the arts, then art-focused programs can still be valuable, if they show your passions clearly. Taking the time to dedicate yourself to something at a high level is what colleges are looking for in applicants, and this is a way to do that. The exception is if you are applying to one of the most competitive majors.
If you intend to major in computer science, engineering, or business, then doing a summer program dedicated to them may be a better use of your time. This depends a lot on how you are applying and where you are applying to. In general, however, if you intend to apply as a less popular major, then there’s no harm in spending time on your passions as well, so long as you do have clear evidence for your interest in the major.
In general, we recommend these programs for students who have dedicated a lot of time and effort to their art already. Colleges look for patterns in commitment, and showing you are willing to pursue your passions with full effort. If you spend a lot of time and energy during the school year doing the arts, then continuing this during the summers is a reasonable way to spend your time.
A Note on Dance Programs
We’re going to give an overview of a number of specialized arts programs, but we are not going to include dance summer intensives. There are a significant number of these, and if you are interested in pursuing them, then your own studio will be able to give you the best advice on where to apply and which will best serve your needs. In general, your own coaches will be able to give you good advice, but this is especially the case when it comes to dance. Some of the programs we discuss here offer dance courses as well, but in general dedicated summer intensives in dance are your best option if you intend to pursue a major in dance.
Summer Programs in the Arts for High School Students
We’re going to list these in alphabetical order, for convenience. Note that some of these offer multiple different arts options, while others have a singular focus.
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
This is a six-week program offered by Boston University (as the name suggests), which offers an intensive music focus for students. There are separate courses of study for different musical specialties, both the more common like vocal, strings, percussion, and piano, and the more rare, such as harp and composition. Students spend their full days working on their technique and performance quality in their chosen instrument. This is a residential program, with students living on BU’s campus.
Applications must be submitted online, they open in November and are due in January. These require an online form, a personal statement, a recommendation, and an audition. International students are eligible to apply. There are scholarships available for this program.
This is a very good program for students who are serious about music, and who are considering majoring in it in college. It both allows you to practice your art at a high level, and gives you a taste of what the musical experience at a top college is like. The audition process is also a good experience, as that will be part of your college applications as well.
Castleman Quartet Program
This seven week program is hosted in New York, and as the name suggests, is devoted specifically to string quartets. Students spend the program working alone and in groups, with performance opportunities during the final week. This is an incredibly competitive program, admitting only 36 students each year.
You must apply for the program online, all applications must be submitted by March 1. There are separate applications for string and piano players, but both require an online form and an audition video. The cost for the program is $8,000.
This is a very competitive program, but is very good for students who are serious about their instrument and who are considering majoring in it. The length and intensity of the program set it apart, and the performance opportunities are valuable.
Champlain College Filmmaking Academy
This is a two-week program run and hosted by Champlain college, where students are introduced to the processes and particulars of filmmaking. The goal is to give an overview of the various careers available in this field, and to give students a sampler and introductory experience in the world of filmmaking. Students are taught by both faculty of the college and visiting professionals in the field.
This program is open to students who are entering grades 10-12, and who are between the ages of 15 and 18. You may register for this program online; there is not a competitive admissions process, as this program is intended to be accessible as an introduction to filmmaking. The cost of the program is $4,500. This is a residential program, with students staying in Champlain College housing for the duration.
This is a reasonable program for students who are interested in Film-making; while it is not as in-depth as others, it does serve as a solid introduction to a field high school students generally are unable to explore in any detail.
Early Summer Program College Institute
Run by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, these are two to four-week programs, designed for students who are interested in pursuing art in college. They give you the chance to take studio courses, work on your portfolio, and earn college credits in art. There are also chances to explore the arts scene in the city of Chicago. This is a residential program, with students staying in housing at the Art Institute.
Approximately 150 students enroll in each session, and international students are welcome to apply. The program costs $3,696 for two weeks or $7,392 for four weeks. You must register online for the courses you wish to take part in, the application is less competitive.
This is a good option for students interested in studio art, and who are looking for help preparing their portfolio. The chance to earn college credit is nice, but as with all such chances, it may or may not actually be accepted by a school later on.
Hartt Summer Study
Run by the University of Hartford, their community division offers both music and dance courses to high school students, allowing them to train with college faculty. These are a series of one-week intensives in different music programs, including strings, jazz, composition, and vocal. All programs are open to high school students; there are some limited options for younger students as well. These are brief but intensive camps, where students explore a field in depth.
Registration for these programs opens in February, and is done on a first come, first served basis. There is no significant application component. The cost of these programs varies, but ranges from $570-$720. All of these programs are in-person, students are responsible for their own housing and transportation to campus during the programs.
This is a reasonable program for students, but its short length means there are often better options available. If you are local to the region however, or want a shorter music program to complement a longer summer session in another discipline, this can be a good option.
Idyllwild
Idyllwild is a major art camp, and offers opportunities in a lot of different disciplines. They have options for children and teens which range in length and intensity. They have programs in music, studio art, dance, theatre, film, and songwriting. Most of their programs are offered in person, but there are some online programs as well. The structure and intensity of courses differs depending on offering, but most serve as a thorough and intensive coverage of a particular topic.
There is not an application as much as a registration for these programs, which may be done online. You must register for the specific course you are interested in. The cost varies by program, but is $4,700 for a two week teen program, with additional lab fees depending on the program. There are both day and residential programs.
This is an ok program, but does not offer the same level of intensity as some specialized options. It can be quite good for younger students, but older students often have better options available, especially at the price point of these programs. These are not bad programs, but many students have better options.
Interlochen
Interlochen is a major provider of arts summer experiences, offering programs for students in grades 3-12, though at different levels of intensity. They have options in theatre, music, studio art, dance, creative writing, and film. These range from one week intensives to six week camps, though not all durations are open to all ages. These are all residential camps; you choose which discipline you are interested in when you apply, and then devote your time to it. This takes the form of intensive coursework and technique training in your chosen discipline.
Applications are due online. These require both the online application, and an audition or portfolio component. All high school programs require a portfolio or audition, though younger students do not. The cost depends on session length from $1,950 for one week through $10,180 for six weeks. There is some financial aid available. The priority deadline for applications is in January, with a pre assessment deadline in December. If you submit by the December deadline, you can receive feedback on your application and a chance to resubmit pieces. Applications submitted after the deadline will be reviewed space permitting.
This is an interesting option; it can be quite good for younger students, and does offer great options for older students to work on their technique and to meet with like-minded peers. It can be quite good, but programs which specialize on a single discipline can often be more worthwhile. The exception is dance; while they do have a good dance program, students who are serious about pursuing dance as a major or career would do better at a more dedicated summer intensive program.
National Youth Orchestra
Run and hosted by Carnegie Hall, this is a free program for students aged 16-19. Students spend four weeks rehearsing under the supervision of professional musicians, and then go on to perform as part of the orchestra, frequently traveling around the world to do so.
You must apply for this program online. Applications open in September, and are due in December. The application requires a brief personal essay and a letter of recommendation, but the audition videos are the most important component. You are evaluated on your musical ability. This is a very competitive program for admissions.
This is a very good program for students who are serious about music, and who are looking for a venue to both heighten and showcase their skills. This is very competitive, but it is also quite impressive for that reason.
NYU High School Summer Art Intensive
This is a four week program run by New York University’s arts department, with the goal of introducing students to the arts scene in New York, helping them explore their own technique, and build a portfolio they can use for college applications. There are core and elective studio classes, and weekly field trips to explore different arts spaces within New York. This is a residential program, with students staying in dorms on NYU’s campus. This program is solely focused on studio arts.
This program accepts 54 students each year. Rising sophomores through seniors are eligible to apply. The application requires an online form, and a portfolio submission of 10-20 pieces. International students are eligible to apply, but must submit proof of English proficiency via a TOEFL score. The international deadline is February 15, and the regular deadline is March 1. The program costs $7,272.
This is a good program for students interested in studio arts who also intend to apply to college as arts majors. The experience of preparing a portfolio, and the work students due in the program to further hone their pieces for one, are exactly the sort of thing prospective arts majors can benefit from.
Shakespeare Camp
The Shakespeare Theatre Company runs a series of programs for young people. They offer both two week camps, and a three week intensive. The camps are for students aged 6-18, while the intensive is only open to more serious students, aged 13-18. Students delve into the characters and performance of Shakespeare’s plays, do textual analysis, and grapple with the complexities of the Bard.
The camps don’t have an intense application process. The intensive, by contrast,is only open to returning students, and requires an audition in April. Participants are selected on the basis of this audition. A two week camp costs $895, the three week intensive costs $1,349. This is an in=person program in Washington DC, no housing is provided.
This is a good program for younger students who are interested in theatre, especially those local to the DC region. It is not quite as broad as some others, but it gives early practice in auditioning and performance. Older students have other options available.
Sotheby’s Summer Institute
This is a two week program run by Sotheby’s, the famous auction house and broker. Students visit galleries, museums, and the archives of the auction house itself, learning a significant amount about art history and the world of high art. There are both residential and day options, where students can either live in housing provided by Sotheby’s, or commute in every day for classes and other activities.
This program is open to current high school students; you must be at least 15 by the start date of the program. The application requires an online form, a short-answer question, and a transcript. The application is not extremely competitive. The application is due in late February. The residential program has a cost of $7,265, and the day program has a cost of $5,935.
This is a good program for students interested in art history, because it gives a sense of the career options available in the field. It does not offer the same depth as other programs, but it does give a better insight into how the field functions outside of academia. This is especially good for younger students, who may be considering art history as an option.
A Note on Auditions
All competitive artistic summer programs require an audition or portfolio submission as part of their application. This is because they want to measure your artistic skill and potential, to make sure you have the capability needed to truly benefit from what their program has to offer.
These can be done in person or via video, though video submissions are becoming increasingly common, as they are more convenient for all parties. When preparing for your audition, we recommend the following:
- Make sure of the technical specs for the video; file size, type, when and where and how to submit it. It doesn’t matter how good your audition is if nobody can see it.
- Prepare for the video, and consider multiple takes. You don’t need to overdo it, but if you have a careless error, the wonders of video mean you can just do it all again.
- Dress appropriately. This means different things for dance, theatre, and music. Ask a coach if you are unsure what the proper attire is.
Most auditions have specific pieces or skills they want you to demonstrate. Always do as you are assigned, but make sure to add yourself to the performance; that is how art gains its great impact.
Final Thoughts
Summer is a time for exploration, to really dive deep into what you care about, and see what it’s like to immerse yourself in the activities you enjoy. This can mean any number of things, from science to sports, and art is a completely reasonable option here. The most important part is to choose what you spend your summer doing with intention, and to make sure you are spending your valuable time on something that will truly benefit you.
This is not an exhaustive list of arts summer programs by any means, but should give you a sense of the options available to you. If you are looking for advice on exploring these programs further, or applying to any of these, then we can help. We have a long experience helping students find and pursue their passions, and then turn those passions into stellar college applications. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.
