Exploring Artistic Horizons: UCLA Summer Art Institute Programs

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a variety of summer art programs designed for talented and highly motivated high school students. These programs, hosted by the esteemed Department of Art and the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA), provide a unique opportunity for young artists to immerse themselves in intensive study and creative exploration. Each program carries UCLA college credit.

DMA Summer Institute: Design and Media Arts Immersion

The Department of Design Media Arts (DMA) at UCLA, a leading design department in the nation, offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary education in media creation, nurturing individual exploration and innovative thinking. The DMA Summer Institute is a three-week program specifically tailored for high school students.

Curriculum and Focus

The DMA Summer Institute's curriculum mirrors materials covered in the department’s undergraduate program. Participants delve into a range of media, examining diverse practices and design methods applied to:

2D Image: Exploring the fundamentals of visual communication and image creation.
Net: Investigating design for the internet and interactive media.
3D Worldbuilding: Creating and designing immersive virtual environments.
Motion Design: Learning the principles of animation and motion graphics.

Instruction and Outcomes

The program is led by professionally trained and experienced instructors who utilize the latest software and technology. The DMA Summer Institute culminates in a final exhibition, showcasing the students' work. Participants also create a portfolio-ready body of work, which can be a valuable asset in their college applications for related fields.

Summer Art Institute: Studio Art Exploration

The Summer Art Institute, hosted by the Department of Art, is a three-week program structured around daily, focused studio work, artist lectures, group critiques, and one-on-one meetings with faculty. Students choose one area of focus from:

Read also: Explore UCLA Summer Institute

Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Photography

Faculty and Artistic Development

Headed by a faculty of internationally recognized artists, the Department of Art is committed to artistic development and study within the context of a major research university. The faculty consists of working artists who represent many approaches to making and interpreting artworks.

Daily Studio Work and Special Programming

Daily studio work is enhanced by special programming to broaden the students' artistic horizons.

Sci|Art Studio + Lab: Bridging Science and Art

The Sci|Art Studio + Lab is an intensive two-week program designed to immerse students in both science and art practices. This program focuses on simultaneously developing and sharpening analytical and creative skills.

Connecting Science, Art, and Culture

Students make connections between cutting-edge scientific research, popular culture, and contemporary arts. The program includes lab visits, workshops facilitating hands-on experiments, and lectures with world-renowned artists and scientists.

Collaborative Project and "Imagine the Impossible" Challenge

To foster academic development, students develop an original concept for a collaborative final project under the challenge of ‘Imagine the Impossible’.

Housing

For participants in the Sci Art Lab + Studio Summer Institute, living in on-campus housing is optional. Students who wish to live in UCLA residence halls alongside other program participants may sign up for housing at the time of registration.

Application and Eligibility

Admission to the Sci|Art Studio + Lab program has application requirements.

Application Requirements

Details on the application requirements can be found in the program information. An optional letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor may be included.

Online Registration

Prospective students can access the Summer Institute Online Registration Form. After submitting the form, applicants will be directed to the Retrieve Registration page.

Review Process and Payment

The program instructor(s) review applications, and the review process may take up to two weeks. A space in the program is not reserved until valid payment of the non-refundable registration fee is completed. If a program is full, applicants will not be prompted to make payment.

Summer Scholars Support

Qualified students attending grades 8th - 11th in Spring 2022 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office.

Important Considerations

The UCLA General Catalog is published annually in PDF and HTML formats. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the UCLA General Catalog. However, all courses, course descriptions, instructor designations, curricular degree requirements, and fees described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Consult this Catalog for the most current, officially approved courses and curricula. Other information about UCLA may be found in materials produced by the schools of Arts and Architecture; Dentistry; Education and Information Studies; Engineering and Applied Science; Law; Management; Medicine; Music; Nursing; Public Affairs; Public Health; and Theater, Film, and Television.

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