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Students working on printmaking

High School Summer Art Intensive

Pre-College Summer Arts Program

More than an education, New York University’s High School Summer Art Intensive is an experience!

Designed to provide close attention to a select number of young creatives through rigorous and unique studio projects, visits to New York City’s art institutions, as well as visits to other off-campus sites where artists live and create, NYU’s High School Summer Art Intensive builds a community that extends beyond summer.

Goals for Our Students

  • Create a new body of work that students can use in potential college portfolio applications.

  • Experience new materials and technologies like textiles and laser cutting to enhance their breadth as artists and makers. 

  • Learn about the NYU art department, its facilities, faculty, and unique approach to contemporary art in an intimate first-hand way.

  • Understand what it means to be a working artist in New York City, from working artists themselves ranging from artists at the emerging stages of their career to those who have established themselves internationally at the vanguard of contemporary art.

  • Experience New York City! Students will have scheduled free time during the week and in the evenings to explore what makes New York City the cultural capital of the United States and have FUN doing it!

Student painting

Student Experience

The NYU High School Summer Art Intensive creates a close-knit community of young artists who experience the NYU Art Department much like our matriculated art majors during the academic year. We admit 54 students to our highly competitive in-person program; the group is divided into three intimate cohorts who take all studio classes together.

Students will work directly with practicing art professionals who bring a level of expertise in the field that only NYU can offer. We expect students to engage their courses rigorously to create ambitious works beyond a scope they may have previously explored at the high school level while learning about the New York world of contemporary art.

I loved every part of this program, Living in this city is a dream come true. Thank you for this amazing opportunity that will be a part of me forever.

Student '18
Student painting

This NYU Pre-College Program combines intensive studio courses, a weekly seminar course where students travel to artists’ studios and see art around the city, staffed open studio time in the evenings at the NYU Art Building, and evening social activities organized by University Programs. 

Classes offered include digital art, painting, and sculpture.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Students will take core courses in the morning and electives in the afternoon. Open studio hours will be offered three days a week and on the weekends.

Morning

10:00 AM–12:00 PM: Core Studio Classes 

12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch

Afternoon

1:00–3:00 PM: Elective Studio Classes

OR

2:00–5:00 PM: Open Studio Time

Wednesday

NYC Arts Field Trip

Students will participate in field trips outside of the NYU studios with lead faculty Chris Bogia, who will introduce them to galleries, museums, and studios. These trips aim to expose students to the New York art world and give insight into the lives of working contemporary artists.

Saturday & Sunday

Social Events

Participants in the NYU Summer Art Program will have a full menu of evening and weekend social events ranging from on-campus activities to Broadway shows.

Open Studio

Elective social time also takes place on weekend afternoons in the NYU Art Building, where our program participants can gather in our staffed studios and work alongside one another to get a true feel for what life is like as an art major in our department.

View of Washington Square Park

Housing

Housing in an NYU Student Residence Hall within walking distance of the Barney Building, our studio art facility in the East Village, is mandatory for this program. More information about summer housing will be available with the application.

All participants will be placed in traditional-style shared suites in Manhattan and must sign the summer housing license to be included in the group reservation.

Admitted Students and their respective parents/guardians must review the Student Handbook and complete the mandatory forms linked within the handbook, including the Consent to Disclosure and the Overnight Leave Form.

The Student Handbook includes information about NYU's Residential Rules and Policies for high school students.

Who Can Apply

How to Apply

Summer Art Intensive applicants must complete an online application and a portfolio of work (10-20 images). Work documented does not have to be finished. Images selected should be artworks students feel are their most successful and original. Experimentation with new materials and mediums is encouraged.

Financial Aid Applicant & International Student Deadline: February 15, 2024

Final Deadline: March 1, 2024

Notification: Applicants will receive notification of acceptance starting March 15.

Program Dates: July 7 - August 3, 2024

High school students ages 15 – 18 going into their Sophomore (10th), Junior (11th), or Senior (12th) year.

With only 54 slots, this program seeks to create a close-knit community of established and beginner creatives.

International Students are welcome and encouraged to apply. Proof of English language proficiency is required as well as an F-1 Visa (Ex. TOEFL 100 or higher score). Details on how to submit this information will be provided through the application process.

Scholarships Are Available!

More information is sent to those who have submitted an online application. We encourage applicants who want to be considered for scholarships to apply by the February 15 Financial Aid Applicant deadline.

Student sanding.
Student with paint

2024 Program Costs

Tuition: $4,800
Housing: $426 per week = $1,704
Meal Plan (minimum requirement of 10 meals + $30 Dining Dollars per week): $192 per week = $768

TOTAL: $7,272

Deposits and Refunds: A $500 non-refundable deposit is due when you confirm your enrollment into the program. If the program is canceled before the start of the program, there will be full tuition and deposit refunds. Refunds will not be given if the program has begun and the applicant has been fully enrolled. 

For more information, please contact art-dept-summer-art-intensive@nyu.edu.

Accepted applicants will receive further information and access in the form of emails. Please be patient during the processing of applications.

We encourage prospective students to look at this site to get a sense of life on campus, program details, and events offered through NYU.


*Please note some information may be updated closer to the program's start date. 

Learn more about NYU's programs for high school students by attending an info session and joining the mailing list!

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NYU has in place ongoing public health measures and requirements to ensure the safety of all University community members. As enrolled students in a summer program, all High School Summer Art Intensive students coming to campus in person or participating in any in-person University-sponsored activities (whether on or off campus) must adhere to University guidelines and policies.  

Below are highlights of these policies as of February 2023.  More information, including updates as the pandemic evolves, can be found on the NYU COVID-19 Information website.  Students will also receive COVID-19-related information via NYU email and at their program orientation.
 

Vaccination Requirement

All students are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted with an FDA-authorized or WHO-listed vaccine and must upload vaccination records to the NYU Student Health Center portal before the start of their program.  Students who are not compliant with the vaccination requirement will not have access to campus buildings, facilities, or NYU-sponsored activities (both on and off campus), and may be de-enrolled from their program or face other serious consequences.

Students participating in an online program who will not be on campus in person or participate in any in-person University-sponsored activities (such as internships, practicums, field placements, immersion experiences, field trips, and events) at any time during the summer do not need to submit proof of vaccination.

Students may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Review of exemption requests takes approximately ten business days, so please submit your request with adequate time for review before the start of a program.
 

Other COVID-19 Protocols

As of February 2023, there are a few protocols in place for the health and safety of the community.  These include the Violet Go Pass to enter any campus building or University-sponsored activity, optional masking, and reporting positive cases and isolating at home if ill or testing positive for COVID-19.  Up-to-date information on University campus health protocols can be found on the NYU COVID-19 Information website.

Some proceeds from the NYU Summer Art Intensive will be used for scholarships for the Department of Art and Art Professions.