Explore Art and Design at Pratt
Spend two weeks this summer exploring your artistic interests in the heart of Brooklyn.
Pratt PreCollege: Explore offers high school students a hands-on introduction to art, design, and architecture in the classroom and across the city.
Students live and learn on Pratt’s 25-acre campus, meet students who share their creative drive, and build foundational portfolio pieces through project-based assignments.
Dates, Deadlines, and Cost
| Dates and Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Program Dates | Saturday, June 20 – Friday, July 3, 2026 |
| International Student Deadline | April 1, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | May 1, 2026 |
| Payment Deadline | May 31, 2026 |
| Program Costs | |
|---|---|
| Application Fee* | $65.00 |
| Residential Student Includes tuition, housing, meal plan, and administrative fees | $3,400.00 |
| Commuter Student Includes tuition and administrative fees | $2,200.00 |
*Non-refundable
Program Tracks
Students select one track for the duration of the two-week program. Each track emphasizes studio practice, experimentation, and exposure to the professional world.
- Architecture:
Develop your skills in technical drawing and model making through the lens of sustainable design. In this track, students explore architectural concepts, materials, and processes while learning to think critically about the built environment. Coursework includes hand drafting, digital design, and scale model construction. Students will also meet with practicing architects and visit notable architectural sites across New York City to see how design ideas take shape in the real world. - Fine Art:
Explore a range of 2D and 3D media – including painting, drawing, and sculpture – as you expand your creative practice. Students will build their creative technique through demonstrations, critiques, and studio-based projects focused on composition, form, and expression. Visits to museums, galleries, and artist studios will connect classroom work to contemporary and historical art-making in New York City. - Design:
Discover how design shapes the world around you while building skills in digital and traditional media. Students will use Adobe Creative Suite to explore typography, illustration, and logo design, developing projects that communicate ideas visually and effectively. Coursework includes hands-on design exercises and introductions to design history and process. Site visits with working designers and creative studios across New York City will provide insight into careers in the field.
Program Highlights
- Hands-on Studio Learning : Daily instruction through studio, lecture, and critique.
- NYC Site Visits: See the Met, MoMA, and local galleries and studios for behind-the-scenes insights.
- Creative Community: Live and collaborate with fellow artists and designers on Pratt’s Brooklyn campus.
- Evening + Weekend Activities: Join group outings like Scott’s Pizza Tour, a Coney Island trip, or a sunset walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Portfolio Development: Create finished pieces and gain feedback from instructors to strengthen your college application portfolio.
Questions?
Email the PreCollege team at precollege@pratt.edu