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Spring Pre-College Programs

Portfolio-building spring programs for high school students interested in art and design.

Spring Pre-College Programs include virtual and in-person studio classes offered in May and early June. Classes are open to current high school students (grades 9 – 12) interested in building new skills for their creative pursuits. Students will receive personalized training and advice from Stamps faculty and staff on building a competitive portfolio.

Applications for Spring 2025 Pre-College Programs are now open: Sign up to receive information about our upcoming programs, register for a pre-college info session, or start your application today.

    Spring Studios

    • 2D Illustration (Virtual)
      Virtual Studio for grades 9-12

      2D Illustration is an online class introducing students to fundamental visualization skills used by artists and designers when working creatively in two dimensions. Students will gain familiarity and hands-on experience with a variety of two-dimensional practices and media.

      This online class is designed to introduce content synchronously and asynchronously. This format will give students opportunities to get direct feedback from their instructor and time to build their skills and to apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      2D Illustration meets online Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6:25 pm ET for a total of ten sessions.

      • Modality: Virtual
      • Dates: May 5 - June 4, 2025
      • Day/Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-6:25 pm ET
      • Location: Online
      • Cost: $250.00

        This program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Drawing for Artists & Designers (Virtual)
      Virtual Studio for grades 9-12

      The ability to draw is essential for all practicing artists and designers. In Drawing for Artists & Designers, students will learn drawing concepts fundamental to contemporary art and design practice. Students will gain knowledge and experience in a variety of approaches, ranging from observational to experimental drawing.

      This online class is designed to introduce content synchronously and asynchronously. This format will give students opportunities to get direct feedback from their instructor and time to build their skills and to apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      Drawing for Artists & Designers is offered in 2 virtual sections for a total of ten sessions.

      Section 1 - Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30-7:55 pm ET from May 5 - June 4, 2025

      Section 2 - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-6:25 pm ET from May 6 - June 5, 2025

      • Modality: Virtual
      • Location: Online
      • Cost: $250.00


        This program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application (section 1) View Application (section 2)
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • 4D Animation (Virtual)
      Virtual Studio for grades 9-12

      4D Animation is an online class introducing students to techniques used by artists and designers when working creatively with the fourth dimension, time. Students will learn the fundamentals of working with time by exploring basic audio, video and animation techniques that can easily be used at home to make creative work.

      This online class is designed to introduce content synchronously and asynchronously. This format will give students opportunities to get direct feedback from their instructor and time to build their skills and to apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      4D Animation
      meets online Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:55 pm ET for a total of ten sessions.

      • Modality: Virtual
      • Dates: May 6 - June 5, 2025
      • Day/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-7:55 pm ET
      • Location: Online
      • Cost: $250.00


        This program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Discover Digital Photography (Virtual)
      Virtual Studio for grades 9-12

      Discover Digital Photography is an online class introducing students to technical and aesthetic components of digital photography. Through assignments and critiques, students gain a basic understanding of the history and evolution of photography. Students will become familiar with both contemporary and traditional methods of photographic expression and will engage creatively with photography as a method for problem solving.

      Students will explore using personal devices like smartphones or tablets as tools to create photographs worthy of a portfolio. A specialized digital camera is not required for this program.

      This online class is designed to introduce content synchronously and asynchronously. This format will give students opportunities to get direct feedback from their instructor and time to build their skills and to apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      Discover Digital Photography meets online Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:55 pm ET for a total of ten sessions.

      • Modality: Virtual
      • Dates: May 6 - June 5, 2025
      • Day/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-7:55 pm ET
      • Location: Online
      • Cost: $250.00

        This program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Graphic Design Essentials (Virtual)
      Virtual Studio for grades 9-12

      Graphic Design Essentials is an online class introducing students to the fundamental aspects of graphic design. Through hands-on projects and critiques, students will gain a foundational understanding of the elements and principles of design. This program introduces students to topics such as typography, visual identities, print publication layouts and the use of signs and symbols in visual communication.

      Students will explore both contemporary and traditional approaches to graphic design, engaging creatively with the medium as a method for problem solving and communication. By the end of the program, participants will have developed a basic portfolio of graphic design work and understanding of graphic design methods..

      Students will explore using freeware like Canva as a tool to create designs worthy of a portfolio. Specialized software is not required for this program.

      This online class is designed to introduce content synchronously and asynchronously. This format will give students opportunities to receive direct feedback from their instructor while allowing ample time to build their skills and apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations, and visuals will enhance the material covered.

      Graphic Design Essentials
      meets online Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-7:55 pm ET for a total of nine sessions.

      • Modality: Virtual
      • Dates: May 5 - June 4, 2025
      • Day/Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30-7:55 pm ET
      • Location: Online
      • Cost: $250.00

        This program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Drawing for Artists & Designers (In-Person)
      In-Person Studio for grades 9-12

      The ability to draw is essential for all practicing artists and designers. In Drawing for Artists & Designers, students will learn drawing concepts fundamental to contemporary art and design practice. Students will gain knowledge and experience in a variety of approaches, ranging from observational to experimental drawing. Each class session is structured as studio time, giving students ample opportunity to build their drawing skills and apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      Drawing for Artists & Designers meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6:30 pm ET for a total of nine sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design.

      • Modality: In-Person
      • Dates: May 5 - June 4, 2025
      • Day/Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-6:30 pm ET
      • Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
      • Cost: $325.00


        This program fee includes instructional materials.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Weekend Workshop: Drawing Fundamentals (In-Person)
      In-Person Studio for grades 9-12

      The ability to draw is essential for all practicing artists and designers. In Weekend Workshop: Drawing Fundamentals, students will learn drawing concepts fundamental to contemporary art and design practice. Students will gain knowledge and experience in a variety of approaches, ranging from observational to experimental drawing. Each class session is structured as studio time, giving students ample opportunity to build their drawing skills and apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      Weekend Workshop: Drawing Fundamentals meets on Saturdays from 9:30 am-12:00 pm for a total of four sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design.

      • Modality: In-Person
      • Dates: May 10 - June 7, 2025
      • Day/Time: Saturdays, 9:30 am-12:00 pm ET
      • Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
      • Cost: $175.00

        This program fee includes instructional materials.


        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Weekend Workshop: Watercolor Painting (In-Person)
      In-Person Studio for grades 9-12

      In Weekend Workshop: Watercolor Painting, students will learn concepts and techniques fundamental to watercolor painting. Students will gain experience using this material to explore composition, color and working from direct observation. Each class session is structured as studio time, giving students ample opportunity to build their watercolor painting skills. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      Weekend Workshop: Watercolor Painting
      meets on Saturdays from 9:30 am-12:00 pm for a total of four sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design.

      • Modality: In-Person
      • Dates: May 10 - June 7, 2025
      • Day/Time: Saturdays, 9:30 am-12:00 pm ET
      • Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
      • Cost: $175.00


        This program fee includes instructional materials.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Weekend Workshop: 3D Exploration (In-Person)
      In-Person Studio for grades 9-12

      Did you know that all Stamps undergraduate students are required to take Studio: 3D as a part of their first year experience? Adding three-dimensional work to your portfolio is a great way to prepare for our undergraduate curriculum!

      3D Exploration is an in-person class that surveys the elements of 3D design and introduces students to the rigor of a college-level course in 3D Design and/or Sculpture. Students will learn the fundamentals of working with form and space by exploring materials and processes used to create three-dimensional works of art and design. Each class session is structured as studio time, giving students ample opportunity to build skills and apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      3D Exploration
      meets Saturdays from 1-3:30 pm for a total of four sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design.

      • Modality: In-Person
      • Dates: May 10 - June 7, 2025
      • Day/ Time: Saturdays, 1-3:30 pm ET
      • Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
      • Cost: $175.00


        This program fee includes instructional materials.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    • Weekend Workshop: Experiments in Print (In-Person)
      In-Person Studio for grades 9-12

      Take your portfolio to the next level with Experiments in Print, an in-person class that introduces an expansive view on printmaking, encouraging experimentation and innovation within traditional and emerging media.

      Class demonstrations introduce making and printing images in color from a variety of surfaces and cover a range of single and multi-plate methods. Through hands-on projects, students engage print concepts such as multiplicity, serialization, and sequence. Each class session is structured as studio time, giving students ample opportunity to build skills and apply new concepts. Lectures, demonstrations and slides will enhance covered material.

      Experiments in Print
      meets Saturdays from 1-3:30 pm ET for a total of four sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design.

      • Modality: In-Person
      • Dates: May 10 - June 7, 2025
      • Day/Time: Saturdays, 1-3:30 pm ET
      • Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
      • Cost: $175.00


        This program fee includes instructional materials.

        Upon acceptance to the program, a $50 nonrefundable deposit will be required to confirm your attendance and reserve your space in the program. This deposit is included in the overall program fee. If you withdraw from the program after classes begin, no portion of your tuition will be refunded.

      Application

      View Application
      • Application Available: December 15, 2024
      • Early Action Deadline: February 1, 2025
      • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

      Financial Assistance

      Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the ​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials.

      Questions

      Contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.

    Application Instructions

    Step 1: Apply

    • Students must apply to each Stamps Pre-College Studio, Event, and Workshop they’d like to attend separately. Visit the individual links for each program above, or view all opportunities and start applying here.

    • Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the​Financial Assistance application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials

    • Our Spring/​Summer Early Action Deadline is February 1, 2025: If you submit applications by this date, you’ll receive your decision by March 1 to help lock in Spring or Summer plans. 

    • All applications must be completed by 11:59 pm EST on our Final Application Deadline: March 1, 2025.

    Step 2: Review

    • A Pre-College Program staff will review each individual program application and render an admissions decision.

    • Pre-College Program staff will review each individual application for need-based financial assistance.

    • Pre-College Program staff will contact the applicant and the parent, legal guardian, or caretaker they listed in their application with additional information and next steps.

    Step 3: Register

    • After receiving the acceptance email from Pre-College Program staff, a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker must complete a youth participant’s registration by the date stated in the acceptance email to secure their place in the Stamps Pre-College programs.

    • Parents, legal guardians, or caretakers will follow the link on the participant’s acceptance email and create an account using their own email address (not the participant’s email address).

    • Parents/​legal guardians will select a term: Registration 2025. Participants will refer to their acceptance email for instruction.

    Step 4: Pay Deposit

    • After registration, a deposit is required to secure a youth participant’s place in each program.

    • A deposit invoice will be sent via email from BITeam@​umich.​edu. All invoices will be billed to the default parent, legal guardian, or caretaker.

    • Parents, legal guardians/​caretakers will submit payment following the instructions and due date outlined on the invoice for the deposit.

    • Deposits are non-refundable.

    Step 5: Pay Balance

    • An invoice with the remaining balance will be sent 30 days before the start of the program. Participants will refer to their acceptance email for instruction.

    • An invoice for the remaining balance will be sent via email by BITeam@​umich.​edu. All invoices will be billed to the default parent, legal guardian or caretaker.

    • Parents, legal guardians/​caretakers will submit payment following the instructions and due date outlined on the invoice for the remaining balance.

    Scholarships

    Scholarships are available to select students who have registered for the program. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit. Students seeking financial assistance for Stamps Pre-College Studios and Events must complete the​ Financial Assistance Application with the help of a parent/​guardian and provide all required materials. 

    Questions

    Please contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.