Top Summer Programs LibraryTop Summer Programs
Top Arts Summer Programs and AwardsYoungArts, CSSSA
Arts programs select by portfolio or audition, so the work itself decides admission. The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) takes only California students and is the nearby option for Irvine families. YoungArts is a national arts award whose winners are invited to National YoungArts Week. Many well-known arts camps audition only some disciplines and fill the rest first come, first served; those are not listed here.
- Programs listed
- 4
- Open to international students
- 3
- Free or with a stipend
- 1
- Next deadline
- Dec 15, 2026Juilliard SDI
Arts: 4 Programs Compared
The five columns show the program, citizenship requirement, cost, the most recent application deadline, and officially published size or selectivity. Select a program for its full page.
| Program | Eligibility | Cost | Deadline | Size and selectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National YoungArts Foundation Competition (YoungArts)Not in summer | Citizens or green-card holders | Free | Oct 6, 2026 | 734 winners |
| California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) | Open to international students | Tuition · aid available | Feb 28, 2027 | About 500 California students |
| Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive | Open to international students | Tuition · aid available | Dec 15, 2026 | About 44 admitted |
| Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) | Open to international students | Tuition · aid available | Jan 19, 2027 | Not published |
Program by Program
- National YoungArts Foundation Competition (YoungArts)734 winnersYoungArts is a national arts competition run by the National YoungArts Foundation across 10 disciplines, including music, dance, visual arts and writing. The 2026 cycle drew about 13,000 applications and named 734 winners, and YoungArts nominates candidates for the White House's Presidential Scholars in the Arts.Full details →
- California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)About 500 California studentsCSSSA is the state summer arts school created by the California Legislature, selecting California students in grades 8 to 12 by portfolio for a month of residential training. The 2026 fee for California residents is $5,174, nearly half of California students receive need-based aid, and graduates can earn CSU credit.Full details →
- Juilliard Summer Dance IntensiveAbout 44 admittedJuilliard's Summer Dance Intensive is a three-week program run by the school's Dance Division at its Lincoln Center campus for high school dancers with strong ballet training. Admission is by video audition only, about 44 dancers are admitted each year, and the program helps them understand college dance programs and their options.Full details →
- Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)BUTI is Boston University's residential classical music program in Lenox, Massachusetts, for instrumental, vocal and composition students aged 14 to 20, who attend Boston Symphony Orchestra summer concerts. Admission is by audition, and BUTI says qualified applicants typically outnumber available places.Full details →
Other categories
University and Institute Research19 programs
Government Lab Internships6 programs
Mathematics Programs11 programs
STEM and Engineering12 programs
National Olympiad Training Camps6 programs
Humanities, Writing and Journalism8 programs
Public Affairs, Leadership and Languages8 programs
Business and Economics4 programs
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