Summer Teen Art Institute

Hosted at the HD Shanghai School in Shanghai, China

RISD’s Summer Teen Art Institute in Shanghai connects high school students with its renowned approach to art and design education. This residential program (taught in English) is an exciting opportunity for students to develop their skills, goals, and artistic voice while defining strategies for portfolio development and next steps in their visual arts education.

2026 program dates:

3-Week Foundations Experience: July 5–25
2 Week Major Intensive: July 26–August 8
Full 5-Week Experience: July 5–August 8
Application opens: January 21 at 9 am ET

A teenage boy draws a portrait while sitting in front of an easel.

Application opens January 21, 2026

Eligibility

Age: You must be at least 14 years old at the time of the program.
Grade: You must be a rising 9–12 grade student or a recent grade 12 student at the time of the program.
English proficiency: If English is not your primary language you are required to show a proficiency level above 79 on the TOEFL, 100 on Duolingo, or 6.5 on the IELTS.

Enrollment options

New students can enroll in the full five-week program or choose to participate in either the three-week Foundations Experience or the two-week Major Intensive. Returning students can continue their experience by enrolling in the two-week Major Intensive.

3-Week Foundations Experience: The Institute starts with a three-week foundational program that incorporates the fundamentals of drawing explorations, design essentials, process, materials, rigorous inquiry, and conceptual thinking. Students in this program participate in two courses: Design Essentials and Drawing Explorations. This three-week experience runs from July 5–25, 2026.

2-Week Major Intensive: The Institute offers a two-week in-depth exploration of a specific discipline. Students have the opportunity to build on their foundational work by selecting a major to focus on a particular field in design or fine art. Students explore the methods and approaches of specific industries and the application of art and design education throughout society. This two-week experience runs from July 26–August 8, 2026. We recommended that students complete the Foundations Experience before participating in the Major Intensive, but it is not required. Students who have not participated in the Foundations Experience may apply for the Major Intensive. When applying, they will be asked to provide additional evidence of their skills and commitment to the program.

5-Week Intensive: Students who are admitted to both programs can bundle these experiences for a discounted rate. Both portions of the program inform and build upon one another to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The full five-week program runs from July 5–August 8, 2026.

Curriculum

In the studio, coursework is project-based and experiential, providing students the opportunity to be challenged in new ways of thinking, explore meaning in their work, and give voice to their personal visual expression—qualities sought by art college portfolio reviewers. Emphasis in studio work is on exploration and inquiry through demonstrations and assignments, research, and material investigations. Students participate in critiques and receive verbal and written feedback on their work. Critique is crucial to the creative process and student advancement, and it provides students with a visual language that can reinforce, challenge, and change ideas. Throughout the program, students develop a series of visual studies—investigation through sketching and prototyping—that inform their portfolio development.

Learning experience

Both programs include live Zoom meeting times with RISD instructors (18 hours per course), daily studio work facilitated by on-site RISD alumni tutors, enrichment and developmental opportunities, open work time for assignments, and small group collaborations or personalized support from on-site tutors. Additional coursework and engagement occur through Canvas, our learning management system. The program will conclude with a final exhibition and a certificate of completion.

Courses are taught by RISD instructors who are professional artists adept at pushing students. They focus on process and experimental-based artmaking to help achieve unexpected results. Instructors provide final assessments and feedback to support each student’s continued artistic and portfolio development, as well as insight into potential education and career opportunities.

Beyond the studio

In addition to a vibrant studio culture and interaction with expert instructors, students benefit from enrichment opportunities that are included as part of this residential experience. Opportunities include:

Admissions information session: A session led by RISD Admissions (open to students and guardians) that guides attendees through the ins and outs of the RISD Admissions process.
Summer portfolio reviews: An invitation (after the program) to participate in a live 10-minute portfolio review session facilitated by RISD Admissions.
Social events: Relax, unwind, and have fun with your peers.
Cultural activities: Occasional weekend and off-hour opportunities to hear from guest speakers, learn from RISD alumni tutors, and attend excursions such as visits to local museums.

Program cost

Summer 2026 tuition information will be available soon

Contact information

For inquiries about the residential and logistical aspects of the program, contact risdsummerprogram@hdschools.org

For more information, email risdce@risd.edu

Application information

Application opens: January 21, 2026 at 9 am ET
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. If space permits, final applications are due by May 7, 2026 at 12 pm ET.

Student Spotlight: Truva Akarra

Summer Teen Art Institute Helps Teen Practice Art and Improve His Mandarin

Student and parent/guardian feedback

Student survey

In a survey of students previously enrolled in the program:

100%

Agree that the courses were challenging and inspiring

84%

Said the courses exceeded their expectations

Parent/guardian survey

In a survey of parents/guardians of students previously enrolled in the program:

100%

Helped them and their student decide next steps and goals for their education

100%

Saw improvement or moderate improvement in their student’s overall development

100%

Saw improvement or moderate improvement in their student’s artwork

Hear from past students

“This program was really helpful and gave me the experience of making art all day, every day. And I do feel like going to an art college would be a good idea after attending! I really like to work with people who are also interested in art, it was so nice!”

“I’ve learned and experimented so much [by] completing the assignments. I also enjoyed critiques as I received a lot of practical feedback and learned from my peers. I gradually got used to the process of developing whole projects from sketches to the final pieces. And that’s the most important thing I’ll take away with me because it’ll guide me to create independently as an artist/art student.”

“I liked the high amount of work we had to do and how it really gave me an idea of the workload I would get if I entered art. I also loved the environment and level of my peers, as it pushed and inspired me.”

Hear from parents/guardians

“My child is very interested in visual art and wants to study visual art in college. This program provides a perfect opportunity for her to enrich her learning experience and a platform to communicate with peers who also love art.”

“This program is beyond our expectation. We were concerned about the tight schedule and the high workload for our daughter at the beginning. But with the support and encouragement from teachers, she managed to follow the pace of the program and to make tremendous efforts to pursue excellence. She has made great improvement on working independently, and gained more confidence in expressing herself. We appreciate all the efforts made by teachers, organizers and assistants of this program. Thank you very much!”