9 Summer Art Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you're a high school student in Massachusetts considering studying art in college, it’s worth exploring an art program during the summer! These programs will allow you to deepen your creative skills, explore potential career paths, and build connections with like-minded peers and professionals.
Engaging in these opportunities fosters personal growth, discipline, and critical thinking, all while allowing you to experiment with different mediums and techniques. Early exposure to structured artistic environments will also help you develop a portfolio and gain valuable experiences that demonstrate initiative and passion for the arts, enhancing your college applications.
Here are 8 summer art programs for high school students in Massachusetts that you can consider!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)—Art Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can create an interest form here to find out the exact cost of this program.
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort.
Program Dates:
Summer seminar: June 24, 2024 — September 2, 2024
Fall seminar: October 23, 2024 — February 19, 2025
Lab dates are flexible, but applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks have formal prerequisites, with further details available here.
Horizon provides research programs that last a trimester for high school students across a variety of subjects, such as data science, psychology, political theory, biology, chemistry, machine learning, and neuroscience. It is one of the few programs that allows students to choose between quantitative and qualitative research. After selecting a subject area and research type, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a leading university who will mentor you through the research process.
By the end of the program, you’ll produce a 20-page research paper, suitable for submission to academic journals. In addition to the research experience, you will receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your project, providing valuable insights for future work. For those interested in art, Ancient Greco-Roman History could be a good course option where you will explore ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. This study focuses on the experiences of laborers, artisans, soldiers, and slaves who formed most of these societies. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available, and you should indicate your need when submitting your application.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary based on the cohort. The primary summer deadlines are March 17, April 14, and May 12. The final deadline for the summer cohort is in June. You can apply here!
Program Dates: The summer cohort usually runs from June to August, the fall cohort from September to December, the winter cohort from December to February, and the spring cohort from March to June. Program durations vary, ranging from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4, can apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program selects around 500 students from a pool of 4,000 applicants to participate in a guided research experience. During the program, you will work closely with a Ph.D. or post-doctoral researcher from a top university on an independent project, culminating in a college-level academic paper.
In addition to mentorship, you will receive two sessions with a writing coach and ongoing support from a program manager. The program offers an art track, which can be tailored to focus on areas like art history, sociology, or psychology, with the option to customize a research topic if needed. You can find out more details about the application process here.
Location: Snow Farm, Williamsburg, MA
Cost: $4,350; a limited number of scholarships are available.
Tuition, Room, Meals, Guest Artists & Field Trip: $3975 - $100 (early applicant discount) = $3875
Materials Fee: $350
Application Fee: $125 (non-refundable)
Application Deadline:
Early application deadline: December 31, 2024
Standard application deadline: February 28, 2025
Program Dates:
Session 1: June 29–July 11, 2025
Session 2: July 13–July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Teens aged 14–18 can apply.
The Snow Farm Summer Craft Program provides students with the opportunity to participate in focused art instruction and work in modern studios. Throughout the program, you will take studio classes in a variety of disciplines, including flameworking, ceramics, painting and drawing, metalsmithing, jewelry, sculpture, and flat glass. Each session includes enrollment in two studios: one class meets from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and the second from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. After six hours of instruction, you will return to the studios for four additional hours of supervised open studio time, where you can practice your skills, work on projects, and explore new techniques. The first week emphasizes fundamentals and skill-building, while the second week allows you to focus on an area of interest and create a final project.
Snow Farm maintains small classes, with eight students and two instructors in each studio, ensuring personalized instruction and critique in a supportive environment. During the session, each studio class takes a field trip to enhance their learning, which may include visits to an artist's studio, a museum exhibit, or a gallery. Instructors live on campus and participate in daily activities, providing students with ongoing mentorship. Each session accepts up to 40 students. Additional optional activities are available based on student interest, including visits to a swimming hole or ice cream stand, pick-up games of Frisbee or soccer, playing music, or simply relaxing with friends.
Location: In-person at Tufts University, Greater Boston Area, MA, or virtual.
Cost: Variable depending on the course selected:
SMFA Studio Art: $5,000 (Commuter) | $6,750 (Residential) + $200 (materials fee)
SMFA Graphic Design Bootcamp: $2,000 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
Program Dates: Between July and August. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 or a spring high school graduate may apply.
Tufts Pre-College and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts offer two summer programs for high school students in Studio Art and Graphic Design, designed to foster creativity and artistic development.
In the Studio Art program, you will join a community of artists to explore both familiar and new mediums. Through an interdisciplinary approach, you’ll work with materials like drawing, painting, sculpture, and animation, while developing conceptually sophisticated artwork. The program includes foundation classes that blur the lines between disciplines, allowing you to build a diverse portfolio. You’ll also participate in group critiques, visit the SMFA art library, and take field trips to museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
The Graphic Design program provides a week-long introduction to the field, focusing on Adobe Creative Cloud tools and the creative process. You will learn from Tufts faculty and professional designers, covering areas like marketing, communications, and photo editing. The program concludes with a final exhibition of your work, giving you practical skills to design posters, social media posts, and more. By the end of the program, you’ll have hands-on experience in digital design and a solid foundation to continue your exploration.
Location: Danforth Art Museum and Art School, Framingham, MA
Cost: $510; scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled.
Program Dates: August 5–August 9, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 9–12 can apply.
Danforth Art School provides art classes specifically designed for high school students. These three-hour sessions for teens are taught by professional artists and college instructors. The schedule is flexible, offering half-day classes where you will get to refine your skills and express ideas through your artwork. Available classes include Drawing & Painting, Portrait & Figure Studies, Museum Intensive, Advanced Comics, and Fashion Design Intensive.
In the full-day "Fashion Design Intensive" class, you will learn the techniques and tools needed to create and present a cohesive fashion collection. You will engage in brainstorming activities to develop a creative direction using mood boards, explore color theory and textiles, and incorporate fabric swatches and various media. This includes drawing and illustrating fashion figures with gestures, detailing clothing, and fabric draping. By the end of the course, you will have created an original, well-presented fashion collection, while also learning basic sewing and patternmaking to develop a garment pattern for one of their designs. The class covers fashion history and key industry concepts, such as trend forecasting. You will also take an exclusive tour of the Framingham State University Fashion Design studios, providing insight into potential careers.
Location: Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA
Cost: Residential: $4,200 | Commuter: $3,200 + a $40 non-refundable application fee. Scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until space remains available.
Program Dates: July 13 – August 2, 2025
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and older can apply.
Montserrat College of Art’s three-week summer residential Pre-College Program offers high school students an intensive introduction to life at an art college. Limited to 75 students nationwide, the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis. During the program, you will receive focused instruction in visual arts, with a strong emphasis on foundation drawing skills, while also exploring new subjects and mediums through elective courses.
Each morning, you will take a Foundation course, choosing between Foundation Drawing or Foundation Digital & Interactive Media. In the afternoons, you will select two elective courses. Upon completing all three courses, you’ll earn three college credits and receive written evaluations from each instructor. Modeled after the college’s BFA program, the Pre-College Program provides small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty. You will work in a creative environment, engage in critical thinking, and develop pieces for your portfolios through a structured yet exploratory approach to art-making.
Location: In-person at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA, or online.
Cost: $960 for half-day classes | $1,920 for full-day classes | $870 per online class.
Application Deadline: On an availability basis from February 16 – June 15, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: July 8– July 19, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12 can apply.
MassArt’s Summer Intensives offer high school students an opportunity to expand their artistic skills through two-week studio courses. The program provides a range of on-campus and virtual classes, allowing students to explore various art forms such as animation, architecture, drawing, photography, jewelry, painting, and printmaking. Each course focuses on hands-on learning and introduces students to technical skills while fostering creative expression. For example, the Animation Toolkit explores stop-motion and digital tools, while Drawing Fundamentals covers perspective, proportion, and unconventional techniques.
You can also develop your portfolios through courses like Film Photography, which includes hands-on experience with 35mm cameras and darkroom techniques, and Illustration, which offers virtual instruction in visual communication. The program emphasizes skill-building and experimentation, with access to professional tools and collaborative learning environments. By the end of the program, you will have gained valuable experience across a variety of mediums, preparing you for further exploration in the arts.
Location: In-person at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, or online.
Cost: Unspecified. Check here for updates.
Application Deadline: Registration for summer classes ends at noon on the Friday before the class is scheduled to start. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Students aged 12–17 can register.
The Museum of Fine Arts offers studio art classes for teens ages 12–17, led by professional artists who are also experienced educators. These classes encourage students to explore, experiment, and develop problem-solving skills as they engage with art-making. During the summer, you will meet weekly either in-person or online, and focus on subjects such as drawing, painting, mixed media, and more.
With access to the museum’s extensive collections, you will have the opportunity to study the techniques and approaches of artists from various cultures and periods. You will get to question, explore, experiment, and solve problems as you create and interact with art. To ensure individualized attention and a meaningful learning experience, class sizes are limited to 12 students, accommodating all skill levels.
Location: Boston University College of Fine Arts, Charles River Campus, Boston, MA
Cost: Residential: $6,030–$6,234 | Commuter: $3,950 + a $75 application fee; Scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: June 30–July 26, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 can apply.
The Boston University School of Visual Arts Summer Institute (VASI) offers a focused visual arts program for high school students, aimed at building portfolios and enhancing technical skills. During the program, you will be introduced to materials and methods used in professional artistic practice and gain experience in a collegiate art school setting.
Along with studio work and classes, you will visit local museums, engage in special workshops, and experience campus life at Boston University. Upon completion, you will earn three college credits and leave with work suitable for inclusion in your portfolios. The program is taught by faculty members and alumni of the School of Visual Arts, who bring a combination of artistic practice and teaching experience to the program.
Bonus — Ladder Internships!
Looking for an immersive internship experience in art and culture?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
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.