Summer Activities for Art and Creative Writing Majors

Is your student interested in majoring in art or creative writing? Do they have their summer plans in place yet? Summer is a crucial time for students, who can use this time outside of school hours to get insight into their field of interest and build proof of demonstrated interest for their major. Pursuing passions, gaining experience, developing skills – while it’s important for students to take a breather over break, they can rest while also having a productive summer!

Here are some activities your art- or creative writing-interested student can add to their itinerary:

1. GENERATE CONTENT FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO

   For aspiring art and creative writing majors, creating as much content as possible over the summer to prepare for application portfolios is a must! Even applications that don't necessarily require a portfolio have sections for students to submit their work, and when the time comes to build the portfolio that best represents their potential and skills, students will want to have a wide selection of their work to choose from. (One way to push yourself to keep creating pieces is to hold yourself to a goal, daily or weekly.)

2. SUBMIT YOUR WORK AND COMPETE

   Contests, awards, competitions, journals, stages – there is a multitude of opportunities, from the local to global level, for students to submit their work! This challenges artistic students, helps them hone their craft, and encourages them to push their work out into the world. (Not to mention that this way, students can put themselves in the running to be awarded for their skill and talent, too.)

3. SUMMER PROGRAMS

   Getting some hands-on experience in an actual laboratory or on the field is an incredible summer opportunity for any STEM student. Even if your student isn’t participating in a research mentorship program or internship this summer, there are still research opportunities available (the Smithsonian Digital Volunteer program and Zooniverse, to name just a few).

   While many summer programs have closed their applications months before, there still remain programs with rolling or May deadlines. Here are a few your student may be interested in, before they start their own search:

   • California College of the Arts Pre-College Program

     • Application Deadline: Rolling

• UCLA Art Summer Institute

  • Application Deadline: June 1, 2023

• NYU High School Academy - Creative Writing

  • Application Deadline: June 15, 2023 (Commuter U.S. Students); July 15, 2023 (Online Courses)

4. SUMMER PROGRAMS

   Students interested in majoring in the arts or creative writing can search for jobs or volunteer opportunities that incorporate their artistic talent. Some examples include: teaching art classes at your local library or school district, doing graphic design for a startup or non-profit, performing at a charity event or local festival, doing copywriting or editing work for a journal, or working at a museum or gallery. Jobs and volunteering give students valuable experience in their field, allow them to use their artistic skills to contribute to their community, and bolster their extracurricular resumes when application season comes around!

5. SUMMER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

   Summer classes help students gain technical skills, hone their craft, and even take some intro-level courses for credit. Learning from experts in your field, and alongside other artistic peers at that, goes a long way in improving your work and increasing your passion for your art! Local art or dance studios may also offer workshops featuring art techniques or dance styles, which can be valuable to attend. There are many free or low-cost options available over the summer, and can be taken online, at community colleges, or even at your local university!

If you want to learn more about high school coaching and how we at ILUMIN can tailor a specific plan for your student (for both the summer and the school year), feel free to set up a free consultation with us!