PROGRAMS
HIGH SCHOOL & TEEN
Residency Program
Studio in a School’s Residency Program helps students develop art making knowledge and skills so they can express themselves through the language of art and is available to all New York City public schools and community-based organizations. Our approach is rooted in the artistic process, focusing on exploration, discovery, and skill building in a variety of art media. Students learn that thinking like an artist means experimenting, looking closely, and finding creative solutions.
The program’s flexible nature helps schools meet their students’ needs through customized programs and curricula for all grades. We also offer specialized training in teaching practices and supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. This program is offered during the school day and after-school for grades 2K through 12. Schools choose two different media such as drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, or sculpture in a 14-week residency, which includes a professional development workshop. Each residency culminates in a final exhibition to celebrate and reflect on the students’ work and creative growth.
EXPLORE
The Residency Program offers students the chance to explore materials and ideas. They learn to try out different artistic points of view with a variety of media during each program. Studio artist instructors use high-quality art materials, offering students a rich tactile experience.
DISCOVER
Students discover that they can express themselves in new ways. They are encouraged to experiment and take chances to find multiple solutions for artistic and intellectual challenges. As they learn to work independently and collaboratively in a new medium, they often discover important insights about themselves.
CREATE
Students use memory, observation, and imagination to create art works that highlight their individuality. They are encouraged to develop work that reflects their unique experience, point of view, and interests.
LEARN
Students learn how to create art – and so much more. They learn to use artists’ tools, hone their technical and expressive skills. They develop and use vocabulary to describe their intentions and explain their choices. They persevere and solve problems through a multi-step process. They learn to envision an idea and develop it. Making art together gives students the inspiration, agency, and confidence to further pursue their ideas.
For more information, contact (212) 459-1455 or residencyprogram@studioinaschool.org.
Studio Intensives
Enhance the technical skills you will need for admission to art schools and build your art portfolio
Studio Intensives provide free art training to New York City public high school students in grades 10–12 who are considering applying to Bachelor of Fine Arts programs.
The goal of the program is to help students develop their technical skills and build their art portfolios in preparation for applying to art schools. Offered on Saturdays or during school breaks within the academic year, Intensives are led by professional artists with the assistance of a trained Studio assistant.
DETAILS
Instruction, art supplies, and MetroCards are provided at no charge. Studio Intensives provide an opportunity to meet other teens from across the city, create and discuss art, and share artworks.
Our Fall Portfolio Development classes focus on enhancing the drawing skills you will need for admission to art schools. You will capture still lifes and live models using graphite pencil, charcoal, and oil pastels as you add essential pieces to your art portfolio. The Fall Painting Intensive covers the foundations of acrylic painting, including a review of the basics of composition, color theory, and paint application.
In the Winter, we offer a Figure in Motion class focused on how to capture the human figure. Spring program offerings vary. All Intensives classes provide individual guidance and support students’ college goals and interests.
ELIGIBILITY
New York City public high school students in grades 10–12 who are interested in applying to Bachelor of Fine Arts programs are encouraged to participate in our Studio Intensives. Successfully completing multiple Studio in a School programs makes you eligible to apply for our college scholarships!
APPLICATIONS FOR STUDIO INTENSIVES ARE NOW CLOSED
Please check back in August 2026 for the next free Studio Intensives classes for NYC public high school students.
For more information, contact (212) 459-1455 or residencyprogram@studioinaschool.org.
College Scholarship Program
For New York City students interested in pursuing arts careers
Since 2014, Studio in a School has offered scholarships to help make art studies more affordable for undergraduate college students.
DETAILS
Studio in a School offers a limited number of single and four-year undergraduate scholarships to students who are accepted in BFA programs for the academic year. Awards are based on merit and financial need and intended to make college more affordable.
Congratulations to our 2024 College Scholarship Awardees!
(L to R:) Michael F., Anel N., Sophia P., Yuke L., Melanie M., and Stacy R.
ELIGIBILITY
New York City public high school seniors who have participated in two or more of Studio in a School’s out-of-school programs are eligible to apply.
For more information, contact (212) 459-1455 or residencyprogram@studioinaschool.org.
Art History Research Fellowship Scholarships
For New York City students interested in pursuing arts careers
Since 2014, Studio in a School has offered scholarships to help make art studies more affordable for undergraduate college students.
DETAILS
The Art History Research Fellowship is a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors that encourages students to write an original art history research paper. Sponsored by Studio in a School’s Arts Intern program, this advanced-level work connects students’ perspectives and interest in the arts and reflects the diversity of the cultures, attitudes, and ideas of New York City high school students.
ELIGIBILITY
High school seniors who attend participating New York City public high schools are encouraged to talk to their art teacher about their eligibility for the program.
For more information, contact (212) 459-1455 or residencyprogram@studioinaschool.org.
Teen Apprenticeship Program
Participate in a spring apprenticeship program that can lead to a paid job teaching art this summer!
Since 2009, the Teen Apprenticeship Program (TAP) has offered high school students from New York City Public Schools an opportunity to obtain a paid internship teaching art to children in NYC summer camps.
TAP is an innovative way to explore careers in the arts and education, while learning how to lead younger children in art-making classes and enhancing your own creativity and art-making skills.
DETAILS
The Teen Apprenticeship Program has two parts. During the spring, you will train as an apprentice with a Studio in a School artist instructor during weekly meetings held on Saturdays. You’ll learn the fundamentals of art making and prepare to lead classes for young learners. Instruction focuses on building your art-making skills, writing lesson plans, facilitating group conversations, and practicing teaching.
In addition, you will learn to develop good work habits and understand expectations of the workplace. Upon successful completion of the spring apprenticeship, you would qualify for a paid internship teaching visual art to elementary school children in New York City summer camps.
summer 2025 Partners
Brooklyn: CAMBA, Center for Family Life (Sunset Park), Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Police Athletic League—and participating NYC high schools
Manhattan: Police Athletic League, Grand Street Settlement (Seward Park)—and participating NYC high schools
Queens: The Boys’ Club of New York, Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Sunnyside Community Services, Police Athletic League—and participating NYC high schools
FUTURE PARTNERS: contact us at TAP@studioinaschool.org if…
- You are a New York City public high school interested in learning more about this opportunity for your eligible students.
- You are interested in having our high school interns work at your summer camp.
eligibility
TAP is open to high school students from New York City Public Schools who are at least 16 years old. You should have an interest in teaching art to young children, ages 5–10.
Teens selected for this program must:
- Be 16 years old or older by July 1, 2026
- Have an interest in art
- Have an interest in working with children
- Commit to both the spring apprenticeship and the paid summer job.
KEY DATES AND INFORMATION
- No prior experience is necessary to participate.
- The 2026 spring apprenticeship will begin in February and end in early June. Exact dates TBD.
- Weekly sessions are typically held on Saturdays. Students who are selected can choose a morning slot (10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) or an afternoon slot(2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Sessions include Tuesdays in May.
- Teens earn $17.00 per hour working up to 25 hours per week in the summer. Summer internships will begin in early July and end in mid-August 2026.
(Note: Dates are subject to change.)
Application Deadline: January 11, 2026, 11:59PM EST
Have questions? Reach out to TAP@studioinaschool.org
Bloomberg Arts Internship
Get paid to explore careers in the arts, learn new skills, improve your college readiness, and experience the arts and culture of NYC!
Since 2012, with the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) program has placed New York City teens from participating public high schools in paid internships.
BAI provides a paid opportunity to try out careers in arts and cultural organizations in New York City; hone your workplace, communication, and public speaking skills; and sharpen your writing, through a program led by Columbia University’s Teachers College that includes guidance for completing your college essay.
DETAILS
This paid, full-time internship at NYC arts and cultural organizations includes:
- Work experience three days per week at one of over 45 non-profit partners of Studio in a School. These organizations contribute greatly to the vibrancy of New York City’s arts and cultural communities.
- Weekly classroom workshops focused on improving workplace and college readiness skills and starting the college application process
- Weekly visits with cultural institutions and partner organizations, which include special tours and career panels with working arts professionals.
Summer 2025 partners
Bronx: B.A.A.D! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, New York Botanical Garden, Wave Hill
Brooklyn: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM Hamm Archives), Brooklyn Arts Council, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Brooklyn Rail, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Cool Culture, GALLIM, Museum of Food and Drink, The Poetry Society of New York, STREB, Inc., Theatre for a New Audience, UrbanGlass, viBe Theater Experience
Manhattan: Art 21, Art at Americas Society, Asian American Arts Alliance, Ballet Hispánico, Building Studio Architects, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Classic Stage Company, Cultural Counsel, Gibney Dance, Hispanic Society Museum & Library, The Juilliard School & Store, Kaufman Music Center, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, MCC Theater, Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Museum of Chinese in America, Museum of the City of New York, National Black Theatre, National Dance Institute, New 42 (Victory Theater), The New Group, New York Live Arts, New York Studio School, Open House New York, Park Avenue Armory, Public Art Fund, Red Bull Theater, Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop (EFA), Rosie’s Theater Kids, Roundabout Theatre Company, Running Subway Productions, Studio Institute, Swiss Institute Contemporary Art, Young People’s Chorus of New York City
Queens: Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, King Manor Museum, Materials for the Arts, MoMA PS1, Museum of the Moving Image, New York Hall of Science, Queens Botanical Garden
Staten Island: Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Staten Island Museum, Sundog Theatre
FUTURE PARTNERS: If you are a New York City arts and cultural organization interested in joining our Studio In A School partner community and hosting interns for a summer internship, we’d love to connect with you! Contact us at bai@studioinaschool.org
Have questions? Reach out to bai@studioinaschool.org
We have partnered with museums, artist foundations, theaters, and many other organizations to host summer and school year internships for high school and college students. We are always looking for new organizations to partner with us in providing career experience for young people in the arts and cultural sector.
If you are interested in hosting an intern, contact us here:
info@studioinaschool.org
To find out more about hosting an intern, please visit here:
