Art Opportunities for High School Students in Michigan
This guide tells you where to find the best art opportunities for high school students in Michigan—from summer intensives to year-round classes, competitions, and college-ready training.
For creative teens, the desire to make art isn’t a phase—it’s a serious part of how they express themselves, build confidence, and imagine their future. But natural talent only grows when it’s nurtured. Across Michigan, there are hundreds of meaningful art opportunities for high school students, ranging from world-class summer intensives to local workshops, arts boarding schools, and national competitions. For families trying to support a young artist, the challenge isn’t finding opportunities—it’s choosing the right ones.
This guide explores Michigan’s full landscape of summer art programs for high school students, year-round art classes for high school students, and additional opportunities for high school art students who are seeking chances to exhibit, compete, and grow. Whether your teen is an aspiring musician, visual artist, filmmaker, actor, dancer, writer, or interdisciplinary creator, Michigan offers a remarkable range of pathways.
Why Art Opportunities for High School Students Matter
For many teenagers, the arts are where they feel the most like themselves. But beyond the emotional connection, participating in serious arts programming provides tangible advantages that shape long-term success.
Here’s why finding the right experiences matters.
1. College Portfolio Preparation
Competition for top colleges—and especially selective arts programs—has never been higher. Admissions committees look for technically strong, thoughtfully curated portfolios that demonstrate effort, growth, and originality. Programs that push students to create high-quality work, revise it, and understand what makes a portfolio compelling give young artists a significant advantage.
These programs help teens:
- Build a cohesive body of work
- Experiment with new media or formats
- Understand what colleges are actually looking for
A summer intensive or year-round class can become the key difference between a “good” application and an outstanding one.
2. Creative Risk-Taking
Art grows in environments where experimentation is encouraged. Many teens feel boxed in at school—limited class time, limited supplies, and limited options. In dedicated arts programs, they’re allowed (and encouraged) to take risks, try unfamiliar techniques, and make mistakes.
Whether it’s trying oil paint for the first time, tackling film editing, or learning the foundations of sculpture, these moments of exploration deepen both skill and confidence.
3. Mentorship From Working Artists
The right mentor can change the trajectory of a young artist’s life. When teens study under working professionals—artists with studios, published writers, choreographers, set designers, filmmakers, and performers—they absorb real-world knowledge that can take years to learn independently.
Mentors can help students:
- Understand the career paths available to them
- Strengthen discipline and professionalism
- Identify their artistic strengths
- Learn new tools and techniques
- Build confidence in sharing their work
4. Connection With Like-Minded Peers
Being a young artist can feel isolating, and many high school students don’t have peers who share their creative interests. When teens connect with others who love what they love, something powerful happens:
- Their motivation increases
- They learn from each other’s work
- They form friendships built on creative curiosity
- They gain confidence presenting their ideas
- They begin to see themselves as real artists
This sense of belonging often becomes one of the most meaningful parts of their artistic journey.
Types of Art Opportunities for High School Students in Michigan
Below is an in-depth look at the major categories of opportunities available across the state. This section includes detailed descriptions to help families make informed decisions and understand what each type of program offers.
Summer Art Programs for High School Students
Summer is prime time for creativity. With school out of session, students have the mental space and flexible schedule to dive into the arts more seriously. Michigan offers several excellent summer art programs for high school students, from introductory workshops to elite residential intensives.
Interlochen Arts Camp (Interlochen)
Interlochen Arts Camp is one of the world’s most respected art summer programs for high school students. Students come from across the United States—and from over 40 countries—to study under talented faculty, collaborate with dedicated peers, and experience artistic immersion in a scenic northern Michigan setting.
Camp programs are offered in:
- Visual Arts
- Film & New Media
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Theatre
- Music
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Students spend full days immersed in their discipline, whether that means editing short films, composing music, rehearsing scenes, or writing fiction. Evenings feature concerts, exhibitions, readings, film screenings, and the kind of spontaneous creative energy that only emerges when thousands of artistic young people gather in one place.
Interlochen’s atmosphere is designed to spark breakthroughs. Students not only improve their artistic skills but also discover their personal voice, build independence, and form friendships with peers who share their ambitions.
Additional Michigan Summer Programs
While Interlochen is the most comprehensive and internationally recognized option, Michigan families have other strong programs to consider.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (Twin Lake)
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp offers summer programs in music, art, theatre, and dance within a classic outdoor camp setting. High school students participate in daily classes and ensemble work while connecting with peers in a supportive, arts-focused community.
Cranbrook Summer Art Studio (Bloomfield Hills)
Cranbrook’s Summer Art Studio offers structured, hands-on instruction in drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media. Students rotate through different subjects each day and work with instructors to complete weekly projects on Cranbrook’s historic campus.
University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design – Pre-College Programs (Ann Arbor)
The Stamps School offers hands-on summer intensives that let high school artists work in university studios and labs. Teens explore drawing, 3D design, illustration, digital art, product design, and more.
Art Classes for High School Students (Year-Round, Local, & Online)
Summer isn’t the only time teens can grow as artists. Michigan offers rich year-round programming that helps students build consistency and momentum. These art classes for high school students range from beginner-friendly workshops to advanced studio-style instruction.
Art Museums
Museums offer something most schools can't: the chance to learn surrounded by world-class art. The physical environment itself inspires higher-level thinking and creativity.
Flint Institute of Arts – Art School Programs
The Flint Institute of Arts provides access to outstanding equipment and highly trained faculty. High school students can explore everything from landscape painting to pottery at one of the largest museum art schools in the nation.
Online Art Classes
Online programs open the door to year-round artistic growth—especially for students who live far from major arts centers or have busy schedules.
Interlochen Online
For families looking for year-round art classes for high school students that don’t require travel or schedule juggling, Interlochen Online offers one of Michigan’s most substantial virtual learning options. These courses bring structured, instructor-led arts training directly to a student’s home.
Unlike many online art platforms that rely on pre-recorded videos or one-way instruction, Interlochen Online emphasizes live sessions, clear project timelines, instructor feedback, and small-group interaction. Students complete weekly assignments, participate in critiques, and develop finished pieces they can use in their portfolios.
Art Schools for High School Students
Some teens want more than extracurricular classes—they want advanced, structured curriculum integrated into their daily life. Michigan offers exceptional art schools for high school students, but few match the depth and breadth of Interlochen Arts Academy.
Interlochen Arts Academy (Interlochen)
Interlochen Arts Academy is the nation’s leading fine arts boarding high school. Students come for serious artistic training paired with strong academics and a creative community unlike any ordinary school.
Majors include:
- Visual Arts
- Film & New Media
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Theatre
- Music
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Students pursue daily studio work, critiques, masterclasses, collaborative projects, portfolio development, and performances or exhibitions. The Academy routinely hosts visiting artists, authors, directors, composers, and industry leaders who work directly with students.
For students who want an immersive, holistic arts education woven into every day of their high school experience, Interlochen Arts Academy offers a level of opportunity unmatched anywhere else in Michigan.
Additional Michigan Art Schools
Detroit School of Arts (Detroit)
The Detroit School of Arts (DSA) is a public magnet high school in Midtown Detroit focused on fine and performing arts. Students audition for admission and select a major when they enroll. Its location gives students access to Detroit’s cultural institutions, creating opportunities for partnerships, internships, and performances with nearby theaters, orchestras, and arts organizations.
Arts Academy in the Woods (Fraser)
Arts Academy in the Woods (AAW) is a free, statewide charter magnet school in Fraser serving middle and high school students. The curriculum weaves the arts into academic subjects—for example, learning math through music or science through visual arts. While smaller than Interlochen or DSA, AAW offers a strong arts-centered public school environment without requiring a boarding commitment.
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Cranbrook Schools is a private, college-preparatory K–12 institution located on the historic Cranbrook Educational Community campus in Bloomfield Hills. Students study traditional academics alongside extensive fine arts and design offerings, supported by access to the Cranbrook Academy of Art and the Cranbrook Art Museum. The campus includes professional-level studios, galleries, and performance spaces for painting, sculpture, music, theatre, and more.
Competitions & Scholarships: Key Opportunities for High School Art Students
Competitions play an incredibly important role in a young artist’s development. They provide motivation, structure, external validation, and—often—scholarship opportunities. They also give teens real deadlines, which help them learn how to finish projects and refine their voice.
Below are several competitions available to high school students. Some are state-specific, while others offer awards at the state or regional level before advancement to national competitions.
ArtReach ArtistsBattle (Mount Pleasant)
The ArtReach ArtistsBattle is a live art competition where high school students create original work within a timed session and compete for a cash prize. The event emphasizes creativity under pressure and offers teens a chance to showcase their skills in front of a public audience.
Congressional Art Competition (Michigan’s 3rd District)
The Congressional Art Competition invites high school students from Michigan’s 3rd District to submit original two-dimensional artwork for a chance to have their piece displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The competition is open to a variety of artistic styles and mediums.
Scholastic Art Awards (Michigan Regions)
The Scholastic Art Awards invites high school students to submit work across categories such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, and more. Students compete for recognition and scholarships, with top regional winners advancing to national adjudication. The program is one of the most respected youth arts competitions in the country.
State of the State Art Contest (Michigan)
A statewide contest with a February submission deadline. Categories often include drawing, painting, photography, and mixed media. Winning images are featured on the annual State of the State address program cover.
How to Choose the Right Art Opportunities for High School Students
With so many options available, choosing the right program can feel overwhelming. But there’s a straightforward way to narrow the choices so your teen finds experiences that truly support their growth—not just in skill, but in confidence and artistic identity.
Here are the most important considerations:
1. Clarify Your Student’s Goals
Is the goal to:
- Build a college-ready portfolio?
- Try new mediums or expand skills?
- Work with professional artists?
- Prepare for auditions or competitions?
- Spend time with like-minded creative peers?
Different programs serve different purposes. A student exploring their interests might lean toward community classes or online programs, while a student who’s ready to deepen an existing skill set or move towards a career in the arts might be ready for an arts boarding school.
2. Consider Cost, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Costs vary widely—from free museum workshops to world-class residential programs. Many families are surprised to learn how much financial aid is available for serious young artists. Interlochen, for example, offers significant need-based and merit aid for both Camp and Arts Academy.
3. Look at Format & Location
Ask these questions:
- Does your student work best in a residential environment?
- Do they prefer a weekly class they can build into their schedule?
- Are they comfortable studying online?
Location can also affect access to materials, mentors, and equipment. Urban museums like Flint Institute of Arts can offer exposure to professional gallery settings, while residential programs offer deep immersion.
FAQs About Art Opportunities for High School Students
What are the best summer art programs for high school students?
Interlochen Arts Camp is one of the most renowned summer art programs for high school students, offering professional training across visual arts, creative writing, film & new media, theatre, dance, music, and interdisciplinary arts.
Are there online art classes for high school students?
Yes—Interlochen Online provides high-quality virtual courses in music, creative writing, theatre, visual arts, film & new media, dance, and college advising. Other platforms exist, but Interlochen offers the strongest instructor-led structure in Michigan.
What courses are considered fine arts in high school?
Fine arts courses can include:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Printmaking
- Digital art
- Ceramics
- Photography
- Film and media arts
- Creative writing
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance
How can high school art students prepare for art school?
They should:
- Build a portfolio with 12–20 strong pieces
- Take art courses for high school students that challenge their technique
- Attend summer intensives for training and feedback
- Enter competitions for validation and experience
- Seek honest, constructive critique
- Document all their work
Conclusion
Michigan is a remarkable place for young creatives to grow—not just because of the number of programs available, but because of the quality of those opportunities. From summer art programs for high school students to year-round classes, academic pathways, and prestigious competitions, students can explore their craft at every level.
Wherever your student begins, the takeaway is clear: support their curiosity, give them access to great instruction, and surround them with people who believe in their talent. With the right opportunities, young artists can pursue a vibrant future in the arts.
Start Your Journey with Interlochen
- Learn from outstanding faculty and guest artists
- Ignite your creativity
- Make lifelong friendships
- Join a community of high-profile alumni
- Collaborate with like-minded peers
