Hello. D is a high school freshman interested in attending a short art-school animation experience this summer. Most programs that we have seen are 3-6 weeks and we don’t have time for that this year (and many of those seem to be for rising juniors and seniors, anyway), but we are committed to sending her to Ringling summer of next year and probably another one the summer after that. For this summer, we are looking at just one week at SCAD, but I am wondering about intensity. A few previous “teen courses” at the local art academy have been disappointingly “basic” (her word, not mine) for someone who has self-taught Photoshop; has a self-directed, in-depth working knowledge of the minutia of the history, progression, and artists of the industry; has spent hours a day for at least a decade dedicated to drawing; and is already fretting about developing a portfolio for college admissions. In no way do I mean to imply that she does not have MUCH to learn–she absolutely does. But I am hesitant to spend the money to fly her to Savannah for a week at SCAD if it’s really more of a beginner/intro-type program. She wants a serious program.
Any thoughts from someone who has experience with the Summer Seminars (not Rising Stars, which is strictly for rising seniors, I believe) would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
She’ll probably be fine at SCAD. I would also look into SAIC as well - have heard great things about their pre-college programs and they have programs of shorter duration (like a week or two, rather than longer).
You should also call each and ask what the day is like - or check the website for a sample schedule. If they are a couple hours in studio, it’s going to be “light”. If six or seven hours - different story. Most vis. arts. pre-college programs take in kids of all levels of ability but that shouldn’t compromise her as she’s expected to use the time to improve her skills, regardless of where she starts relative to everyone else. Art profs and instructors are typically excited to see talent in these programs - and these programs are where the talented kids go in order to build their portfolios.
Look into whether SAIC or SCAD offer scholarships (those might be competitive and based on portfolio). If she’s really talented and intense - and there’s money available - she can probably snag one. That’ll hopefully help make it less risky a venture from the financial side.
She sounds like a great candidate for RISD precollege next summer. That app. opens up in Dec. of this year (IIRC - check their website), is first come-first served and fills up quick so best to stay on top of that. It’s expensive but it also meets for a lot longer than other programs (my D was there for six weeks in 2014).