Stamps Pre-College Programs include Spring Studio classes and Summer Studio sessions. Our virtual and in-person programs are offered 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.
Registration for Spring/Summer 2023 Programs is now closed. Please sign up for more info on our upcoming programs.
Spring Studios
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2D Visualization (Virtual)
Virtual Studio for grades 9-12
2D Visualization 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 Visualization meets online Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30 pm for a total of eleven sessions.
- Modality: Virtual
- Dates: May 1 - June 7, 2023
- Day/Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 pm ET
- Location: Online
- Cost: $245.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
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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 5:30-7:00 pm ET for a total of twelve sessions.
- Modality: Virtual
- Dates: May 2 - June 8, 2023
- Day/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 pm ET
- Location: Online
- Cost: $245.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
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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 meets online Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm ET for a total of twelve sessions.
- Modality: Virtual
- Dates: May 2 - June 8, 2023
- Day/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-5:30 pm ET
- Location: Online
- Cost: $245.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
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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 4:00-6:30 pm ET for a total of eleven sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design.
- Modality: In-Person
- Dates: May 1 - June 7, 2023
- Day/Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00pm-6:30pm ET
- Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
- Cost: $295.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
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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. For this reason, Stamps requires applicants to include two design or observational drawings in their undergraduate portfolio.
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 meets on Saturdays from 10:00-12:30 pm ET for a total of five sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design in Ann Arbor, MI.
- Modality: In-Person
- Dates: May 6 - June 10, 2023
- Day/Time: Saturdays, 10:00am-12:30pm ET
- Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
- Cost: $295.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
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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 10:00am-12:30pm for a total of five sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design in Ann Arbor, MI.
- Modality: In-Person
- Dates: May 6 - June 10, 2023
- Day/Time: Saturdays, 10:00am-12:30pm ET
- Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
- Cost: $295.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
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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 1:00pm-3:30 pm for a total of five sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design in Ann Arbor, MI.
- Modality: In-Person
- Dates: May 6 - June 10, 2023
- Day/ Time: Saturdays, 1:00pm-3:30pm ET
- Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
- Cost: $295.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
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Weekend Workshop: Relief Printmaking (In-Person)
In-Person Studio for grades 9-12
Take your portfolio to the next level in Relief Printmaking!
Relief Printmaking is an in-person class that introduces media and methods associated with relief printmaking. Class demonstrations introduce making and printing images in color from a variety of relief 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.
Relief Printmaking meets Saturdays from 1:00pm-3:30 pm for a total of five sessions. This class will meet in-person at the Stamps School of Art & Design.
- Modality: In-Person
- Dates: May 6 - June 10, 2023
- Day/Time: Saturdays, 1:00pm-3:30pm ET
- Location: Stamps School of Art & Design
- Cost: $295.00 (this program fee includes instructional materials. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee).
Summer Studios
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Portfolio Prep (Virtual or In-Person)
Summer Sessions for grades 9-11
This summer, Stamps will host three sessions of our Portfolio Prep program. Virtual and residential sessions of Portfolio Prep will be offered. Each session is a studio experience for current high school students (grades 9-11).
Portfolio Prep is an intensive program focused on developing and curating a competitive portfolio for a college application. This program offers coursework that reflects the structure and rigor of the first year undergraduate experience at Stamps. Under the guidance of Stamps faculty and staff, participants will immerse themselves in studio work and explore a variety of media and methods for producing creative work. Through the expert mentorship of the Stamps Admission team, participants will gain firsthand knowledge about the admission process and learn about the advantages of earning an art and design degree at a world-class university.
Curriculum
Portfolio Prep participants experience four studio classes; Drawing Studio, 2D Studio, 3D Studio and 4D Studio.
Drawing Studio: a studio course that introduces students to the fundamentals of drawing and visual thinking through the act of drawing. This class focuses on the practice of drawing as a core component of visual expression as well as a platform for artistic inquiry and communication.
2D Studio: a studio course that focuses on building basic two-dimensional visual skills. Coursework introduces students to the processes of visual perception and the potential of visual communication. Students learn to work with color, texture and pattern through a series of projects emphasizing the generation, organization, and analysis of pictorial space.
3D Studio: a studio course that focuses on basic three-dimensional composition. Students gain technical skills and knowledge through a series of projects emphasizing the manipulation, organization and analysis of form and structure in space.
4D Studio: a studio course that focuses on developing the basic concepts, tools, vocabulary, and principles used by artists and designers in time-based creative practices. Students have an opportunity to develop technical and aesthetic skills as well as a critical understanding of work that utilizes time as an essential element, including studies in audio, video, and animation, as well as live installation or performance.
Our curriculum is further enhanced through:
Lessons on portfolio preparation and the college admissions process
Portfolio reviews with the Stamps Admissions Team
Peer mentorship from current Stamps undergraduate students
Tours of the Stamps School of Art & Design and UM’s Central Campus (residential only)
Field trips to local museums and cultural institutions (residential only)
Dates
ONLINE
Virtual Portfolio Prep (Virtual): June 19 - June 30, 2023
RESIDENTIAL
Portfolio Prep Session 1 (in-person): July 9 - July 22, 2023
Portfolio Prep Session 2 (in-person): July 23 - August 5, 2023Cost
ONLINE
Virtual Portfolio Prep - $750
This program fee includes instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in this program fee.RESIDENTIAL
Portfolio Prep Session 1 or 2 - $4,750
These program fees include tuition, room, board (3 meals a day), field trips, instructional materials and shipping costs. Please note that we will not ship instructional materials internationally. A non-refundable $50 drop fee is also included in these program fees. Students are encouraged to bring extra spending money for snacks, laundry, entertainment, and souvenirs.Housing & Dining
Portfolio Prep - Session 1 & 2 participants live just a short distance away from Stamps in Bursley Hall. Located on North Campus, Bursley Hall is a mixed-gender residence hall featuring laundry facilities, floor lounges, a computer lab complete with printers and scanners, and music practice rooms.
Bursley Hall is also the primary dining facility for Portfolio Prep - Session 1 & 2. Learn more about the delicious and nutritious offerings at Bursley here.
Questions
Please contact us with any questions about our Pre-College programs.