Visual Arts Summer Program for High School Students
Why Take Visual Arts
Build your foundational skills as you develop your own artistic vision on our inspiring campus—nestled deep in the woods of northern Michigan. You'll join a community of fellow artists and devote a summer to creativity, exploration, and your craft.
What You'll Learn
In this summer art camp for high school students, you'll join young artists from all over the world to study under the mentorship of our talented faculty.
Each day, you'll work in our state-of-the-art studios developing your technique and honing your artistic voice. You'll split your time between Drawing and Painting and one other studio of your choice:
- Digital Media
- Black and White Film Photography
- Printmaking Techniques
- Metals
- Ceramics
Students submit their studio preference in the Education Community after enrollment and are encouraged to do so early as space is first come, first served. To experience a wider variety of courses and further expand your skills, we encourage you to attend both sessions.
Program Highlights
Exhibition Opportunities
At the end of your session, you'll share your work in an exhibition. The exciting opening reception features music and snacks—the perfect way to celebrate the end of a successful summer at Interlochen.
Dow Center for Visual Arts
During your session, you will learn and create in the Dow Center for Visual Arts, one of the finest facilities dedicated to the study of the visual arts at the high school level. The 36,000 square-foot complex includes separate studios for drawing, painting, metalworking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, printmaking, digital arts, and fibers, as well as a gallery for student, staff, and faculty exhibitions.
Additional Opportunities
If you're interested in applying to visual arts programs at the college/university level, you may also be interested in our one-week Drawing and Painting Intensive and Preparing a Portfolio for College Intensive. We are also home to the Arts Academy boarding high school, which offers a visual arts major for students in grades 9-12, as well as a post-graduate year.
Designing the future of cars
Learn how Interlochen Arts Camp turned Interlochen Arts Academy student Bill Zheng into one of the automotive industry's "designers worth watching," according to the New York Times.
Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Camp with a free digital viewbook
In our free informational booklet, you'll learn more about:
- Each of our seven arts areas
- Various programs
- Renowned faculty
- A day in the life of a student
- How to apply and financial aid information
- And more