<p>What summer programs are best for really experiencing life at an art school? I would prefer something in a major city, but i'm okay with anything. I live in MI if there's anything good near here, but anything in the US is okay. I've been considering Otis, UArts, and possibly Parsons.</p>
<p>Thank you. :)</p>
<p>Uarts is in a great location in Philadelphia. My d had a wonderful experience there last summer. Check out my previous threads.</p>
<p>Thanks, I heard it was a great program. I'm just curious about costs though, for things like food, supplies, room and bathroom accessories, etc. How much did that end up costing you guys, or did you commute?</p>
<p>Right now i'm also looking at Parsons (which may be filled up) and Otis (30 minutes from where my uncle lives, though I wouldn't be staying with him). The program I originally wanted to go to was RISD, and that's closed already. I can apparently call back sometime in May to check and see if there's open spots, has anyone ever done this?</p>
<p>Sorry, i'm a little lost. I would've researched more sooner but I just recently found out I could actually go to a summer program.</p>
<p>The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has an Early College program for high school students. The location is very hard to beat. The program is very good. My daughter attended two summers, taking drawing one summer and sculpture the next. I don't know if it's too late to sign up. They have a variety of schedules and lengths of the program. </p>
<p>Early</a> College Program for high school students : The School of the Art Institute of Chicago</p>
<p>christi - if you can't get into any of the other programs you are considering I would highly recommend UArts. My daughter went the summer before her senior year and really had a good experience. It's right in Center City Philadelphia so you can walk anywhere for shopping, eating, art stores, etc. It gives you a good perspective of what long studio art classes are like and you get to choose the four classes you take. Some may already be filled but my D signed up late and still got good classes. She came out with several good pieces to use in her portfolio. I felt it was very well organized and they had many events planned for the weekends for the students who may not have had the option of going home. </p>
<p>As far as expenses, you will need to buy art supplies and the typical items required for living in an apartment. You will have 1-3 roommates so you can share these expenses. They offer somewhat of a limited meal plan which can be put on a credit card but my daughter chose to buy her own groceries and cook her meals since they had a full kitchen. The girls also went out to eat which can get expensive.</p>
<p>You are probably getting close to the deadline for registering but should check with the school.</p>
<p>Thanks to you both. I just looked at Chicago and it sounded good, and it's close to my house. My dad is somewhat reluctant to send me to Uarts because it's an unfamiliar town and doesn't offer college credit. He really wants RISD now (of course, after the deadline is passed) but he also likes Otis because my uncle is nearby in the event I needed him.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any imput on Parsons, Otis, SMFA, SVA, PAFA, or have another program they'd like to recommend? I'm open to anything.</p>
<p>I actually attended Parsons's summer program for Drawing and Painting, had an amazing teacher and an amazing time, and produced my entire college portfolio there. I've written some stuff about it on this forum, and also posted a review for Parsons in general based on the summer program in the CC reviews section.</p>
<p>oh and I think it's definitely a good pre-college experience, because you have to be pretty independent to live in the city, and since I was serious about art (unlike some people who went there) I worked up to 10+ hours a day including studio and hw time, which is pretty much what art college is like.</p>
<p>Cool, thanks. I called Parsons today and they said they still have some space left, so i'm still thinking about it. I was really impressed with the people at SMFA though. I had a problem with possibly applying and they called back in about 15 minutes, they were very accomodating, helpful, and nice. I'm really considering going there now.</p>
<p>My son had a great experience for 2 summers at the SVA pre college program. He loved his instructors and the courses he took. He also received college credits.</p>
<p>The dorm room was very small, but he had a motel size refrigerator. There are many very reasonably price places to eat around the school, so he did not purchase the meal plan. He also kept milk in his refrig. and had cereal every day for breakfast.</p>
<p>That sounds good too. One problem i'm having is with my dad. He doesn't seem to think it's a good idea anymore, and thinks it's unsafe. I'm completely capable of taking care of myself (as I mostly do now) and i'm not sure how to convince him that I would be okay in a larger city like Boston, New York, LA, Chicago, etc. I've been to other travel camps before but he seems really reluctant. Does anyone (especially parents) have any idea how to convince him that this is a good idea? I'm a very independant person as it is, and I know that I would be able to take care of myself, stay safe, and set guidelines for myself.</p>
<p>Ringling College is in Sarasota, FL - a small, relatively sleepy town. They are also very strict when it comes to going off campus. My daughter is going to their precollege this summer - maybe it would be a compromise?</p>
<p>Christi,
I think the safety issue is really "overrated." When my daughter stayed in the dorm provided by SAIC (she was 16 and 17 the two years), the supervisors were very careful about check-ins, check-outs, sign-ins, and so forth. To stay overnight with a friend who lived in the suburbs one night she needed our express permission. Chicago is easy to get around in on the EL, or, since the Art Institute is right on Michigan Avenue, you are right there in Millenium Park and within a 10 minute walk to the "Magnificent Mile." We live in MI, too, so it was fairly easy access for us by car.</p>
<p>I should also add that I think participation in a precollege program can be very rewarding, allowing you not only to learn new techniques and possibly prepare pieces that will become part of your college application portfolio, but also to gauge how good you are, get good critiques of your work, and meet interesting people (other students!). It was very valuable for my daughter when she applied to art schools. Any of the programs that have been named on this thread could help you in this way.</p>
<p>mackinaw</p>
<p>How long did she do SAIC? 3, 2, 5 weeks? what major? Who are the instructors? Did she cook much? did laundry? did she know Chicago well before went? How much art work to be taken home in the end, like, canvas? clay?
Help!</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, MattsMomFL, but I was really interested in more of an open program in a larger city. I know I can be safe and honestly don't expect to leave much because of the workload. He just doesn't agree and says he doesn't trust the directors of the programs and only wants programs where I will be heavily watched. Him and my entire family expect me to go to college next fall and I think this would be great preparation.</p>
<p>bears and dogs,</p>
<p>My daughter did SAIC for 3 weeks each time, IIRC. She didn't want to commit to a longer session. The first summer, after her soph year, she took drawing. The second summer she took sculpture. I'm not sure who the instructors were; probably adjuncts; but they were good, especially the first one, from whom she learned a lot.</p>
<p>I would say that the take-home stuff from first summer was relative minor, but the experience contributed a lot to her skills and self-confidence; her ability to draw well was a foundation for everything else she did. In second summer she created a couple of clay sculptures that became part of the portfolio that she ultimately submitted to colleges.</p>
<p>She had been to Chicago a number of times, because her brother was attending UChicago and we had visited a few times per year. She did get "off campus" a bit for shopping and so on during her summers there. In any case because she was expecting to go to college away from home, she thought of the summer art experience as useful also for a "live in a dorm" experience in a city. (She ended up attending RISD, where she majored in industrial design. Now she lives in NYC.)</p>
<p>mackinaw
Since you are in the area you were out to be able to drive to and from with her. My child will be flying out by himself and physical bulk of the finished work worries me. Their letter said take it or will be destoryed. Shipping also seems pain in the neck.</p>
<p>I am sorry but this is very important for us.
Can she/ did she cook or eat out with friends?
My child won't fanction unless well fed. This might be the biggest SAIC concern.
And yes, clean shirts and socks for two weeks worth.</p>
<p>Is your daughter a green industrial design girl? How she doing job wise in NYC?</p>
<p>b & d, my daughter didn't cook for herself but used the cafeteriia there or went out with friends she met at the school. The dorm she stayed in at the time was just across the street from the Art Institute (on Michigan Avenue), but apparently they now have one a few blocks away. I think you might try to talk to someone connected with the summer program, or perhaps current students, and ask about the food situation.</p>
<p>My daughter is definitely a green design person (won a "Rachel Carson" award from the ID faculty in her senior year). This wasn't something that was emphasized at RISD at the time, but they're catching on to the "movement." In NY in addition to working in graphic and product design, she's also become involved in an association of green designers (o2NYC</a> News) and taken some leadership in their projects such as this one: http:///<a href="http://www.hautegreen.com%5B/url%5D">www.hautegreen.com</a>. These involve promoting the green design industry.</p>
<p>I can't open the link but sounds great. I live in the NYC and am subway ad fetish - I have a post about SVA ad somewhere that made one of the CC guru mad- - Now there are series of green posters. I wonder if its something to do with her work?
It seems going to RISD was a good decision she made. I doubt coming out from more concept-y arty schools would have helped to get good real paying job this young.
Thank you for food /dorm info. We'll see what happens.</p>
<p>christi - I agree with mackinaw. Our D will be attending the 3-week session followed by the 2-week session at SAIC this summer. My wife and I went to Chicago (from TX) in March and checked out the location of the school and the surrounding area. It appeared to be a good part of town. Also, the students are not to use any city public transportation until they have had their orientation. This may be not only for safety reasons, but also a tutorial on how not to get lost. There are lots of places to dine around the school, as well as a number of places to purchase art supplies, food to take back to the rooms, department stores, etc. We feel that she will be safe.</p>