Whether it's painting, sculpting, photography, filmmaking, creative writing, or music and voice, the arts offer more than just a means of self-expression—they provide a powerful framework for interpreting, questioning, and shaping the world around us. Artistic expression can foster empathy, challenge societal norms, ignite movements, and communicate across language and cultural barriers where logic, numbers, and data often fall short.
For high school students with a deep interest in the arts, summer is a transformative time. It’s a rare window to fully immerse oneself in creativity without the usual academic year pressures. Whether you're hoping to refine your portfolio, explore a new medium, prepare for college applications, or gain professional-level insights into the creative industries, summer arts programs provide the space and resources to grow.
These programs do more than teach technical skills—they expose students to the real-world practices of artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, and writers. They encourage students to think critically about the role of the arts in society, develop an interdisciplinary mindset, and cultivate the confidence to share their voice in bold new ways. Participants often leave with stronger artistic portfolios, clearer college and career goals, and a renewed sense of identity as creators.
From traditional studio-based intensives to cutting-edge digital media workshops and curated writing residencies, the ten programs below are among the most respected summer opportunities available to high schoolers. They are designed to offer hands-on learning, individualized mentorship, and immersive experiences in environments that value creativity and collaboration.
For students looking for more flexibility or the ability to pursue a highly personalized arts research project, virtual mentorship-based programs are also an excellent option. Whether you're interested in composing a soundtrack, analyzing art history, crafting a collection of short stories, or exploring the intersection of art and social justice, this kind of one-on-one guidance empowers students to pursue topics that matter most to them.
To help you navigate the options, we’ve compiled this curated list of the top 10 arts summer research opportunities for high school students—organized by application deadline. Each program provides a unique way to explore your creative passions while developing skills that will serve you both inside and outside the classroom.
1) High School Summer Art Intensive
Hosting Institution: New York University
Cost: paid internship: $7,660
Format: In person (New York, NY)
Over the course of four weeks, students work with practicing expert art professionals in what is arguably one of the most creative cities: New York City. Participants 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.
2) Sotheby’s Summer Institute
Hosting Institution: Sotheby’s
Cost: paid internship: $6,470
Format: In person (New York, NY)
This two-week program brings together high schoolers who are curious and passionate about the arts for immersion in one of the most vibrant art capitals in the world: New York City. Students are invited to learn the intricacies of running galleries and museums as well as to explore painting and drawing techniques throughout history. Each course draws on the caché of Sotheby's Institute of Art, taking students behind the scenes of world class museums, galleries, auction houses, artists’ studios, and more.
3) College Audition Preparation Workshop - CAP
Hosting Institution: Indiana University
Cost: paid internship: $1,360
Format: In person (Bloomington, IL)
Designed for music students, this one-week intensive offers a glimpse of how best to prepare for college auditions. Recommended for vocalists, brass and woodwind players, and composers entering grades 11 and 12 who are planning to apply for entrance to college music programs.
4) Parsons Summer Intensive Studies
Hosting Institution: Parsons New School
Cost: paid internship: $4,675
Format: In person (New York, NY or Paris France)
Offered twice this summer, this three-week program is designed for arts-minded high school students. Participants enjoy skill-building project-based learning, art and design field trips, guest speakers, and portfolio reviews, and can earn 3 college credits.
5) Art as Experience: Drawing and New Media Program
Hosting Institution: Cornell University
Cost: paid internship: $5,040
Format: Online
This introductory course expands a student’s understanding of the ideas and practices of art today. Studio projects include a range of media from drawing and collage to digital photography and video installation. Participants attend online seminars, synchronous & asynchronous lectures, labs, and discussions, supplemented by readings and critiques. Students may earn 3 college credits.
6) Digital Filmmaking Summer Institute
Hosting Institution: UCLS
Cost: paid internship: $4,225
Format: In person (Los Angeles, CA)
High school students from around the world study filmmaking over the course of two-weeks. An intensive production workshop designed for rising high school juniors, and seniors, participants are immersed in the creativity and technique of cinematic storytelling and challenged to create entertaining narrative projects.
7) 3D Art Studio
Hosting Institution: Syracuse University
Cost: paid internship: $1,985-9,615
Format: In person (Syracuse, NY) or online
This two-week program is designed for sculpture artists seeking to complete their arts program application portfolio. With a blend of morning classes on techniques and practices and afternoons in the studio working on individual projects, students receive reviews and critiques from peers, teachers, and professional artists. The program culminates in a collaborative curation of a group exhibition in the Sarah A. Coyne Gallery of Art.
8) SCAD Rising Star
Hosting Institution: Savannah College of Art and Design
Cost: paid internship: $6,165
Format: In person (Atlanta, GA or Savannah, GA)
This intensive five-week program invites students to enroll in two college-level classes while simultaneously building their personal portfolios. The program includes courses in a variety of disciplines, and students have the option of participating online, or in Savannah, Atlanta, or even Hong Kong. Course options include: Survey of Animation: Professional Pathways, Drawing I: Form and Space, Introduction to Fashion Design, Illustrative Anatomy and Perspective, Camera Exploration and Technique, among many others.
9) AIM: Creative Writing
Hosting Institution: Boston University
Cost: paid internship: $5,131 + room/board
Format: In person (Charles River, MA)
Intensive three-week writing program teaches formal techniques and approaches to writing poetry, fiction, and screenplays. The three-week course concludes with a “writers showcase,” where students share original pieces with peers and other members of the BU community.
10) Creative Writing Academy
Hosting Institution: Georgetown University
Cost: paid internship: $2,500-3,225
Format: In person (Washington, DC)
Whether a local commuter or residential student, the invitation here is to transform dreams, ideas, and stories into organized, compelling, creative written works. Participants enjoy a combination of workshops and tutorials that help generate and polish more original creative works. Students are also exposed to the publishing and professionalization aspects of the industry.
Creating Your Own Research Project in the Arts
Not every student can attend an in-person program during the summer—and not every artist thrives in a group setting. If you're looking for a more flexible, personalized alternative, a virtual research mentorship in the arts can be just as enriching, if not more so.
With the guidance of a one-on-one mentor, you can explore artistic or interdisciplinary topics that resonate with your individual interests. Whether you're intrigued by the evolution of film theory, eager to write and illustrate a graphic novel, interested in composing original music, or curious about how dance intersects with cultural identity and anthropology, a custom project allows you to pursue your passion on your own terms.
Structured mentorship programs like Nova Research are particularly valuable for students who want to transform creative interests into polished, impactful projects with real academic or pre-professional weight. Nova Research pairs middle and high school students with mentors from Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT—leaders in their fields who bring both expertise and insight into the creative process.
These mentorships typically span 2.5 to 5 months, offering sustained support through every phase of the creative research process: from brainstorming and background research to execution and public presentation. Many students go on to present their projects at youth conferences, apply for publication in high school journals, or use their work as part of a compelling college application portfolio.
Independent creative research empowers students to think like both scholars and artists. It encourages interdisciplinary exploration, elevates student voice, and results in tangible achievements that reflect personal passion and academic excellence. Whether you’re exploring surrealist painting techniques or analyzing the role of protest music in political movements, virtual mentorship can help you turn a vision into a finished, high-impact project.
Final Thoughts: Exploring Arts Education Beyond the Classroom
Summer arts programs are more than just skill-building experiences—they are incubators of creativity, confidence, and self-discovery. For high school students, participating in a dedicated summer arts opportunity is a chance to step outside of the traditional classroom, take creative risks, and connect with a community of peers who share a similar passion for expression and innovation.
Whether your interests lie in fine arts, music, filmmaking, photography, or creative writing, the right summer program can help you refine your voice, expand your portfolio, and see your work through a more professional and thoughtful lens. These experiences often mark a turning point, helping students transition from curious hobbyists to committed creators with clear goals and direction.
Moreover, the work you produce over the summer often has real-world impact. From showcasing pieces in final exhibitions to submitting research or writing for publication, students gain concrete achievements that reflect their creative dedication. For those considering college programs in the arts or humanities, this kind of work can significantly strengthen applications by demonstrating initiative, originality, and maturity.
Even if you can’t attend an in-person program, virtual mentorships like those offered through Nova Research provide a pathway to pursue meaningful, customized projects under the guidance of expert mentors from top-tier institutions. These programs ensure that no matter where you are located, your artistic voice can be nurtured and amplified.
Ultimately, the value of summer arts education goes far beyond technique—it lies in transformation. It’s about unlocking your potential, deepening your understanding of the creative world, and discovering how your art can contribute to larger conversations and cultural narratives. Choose the opportunity that excites you most, and let this summer be the beginning of your journey as an artist, thinker, and changemaker.
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