Take art school for a test drive by engaging with SMFA at Tufts’ interdisciplinary approach to art making and create conceptually sophisticated artwork. As you learn to work with new materials and deepen your understanding of familiar mediums, you will make connections to bigger ideas.

Non-credit

Residential

Commuter

Accepts International Students

Financial Aid

Final project

Join our community of artists and makers, and spend your summer exploring known and new mediums and developing as an artist.
Over the course of the program, you will participate in foundation classes that will blur the lines between disciplines. Led by a team of qualified artists and educators, students will get instruction on advancing technical skills such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and animation; allowing you to build a portfolio of materially complex, intentional works of art.
Group critiques led by instructors, field trips to local museums and galleries, and a critical studies class will facilitate analysis and contextualization of art within the real world, encouraging you to think deeply about what it means to make art!

The SMFA Studio Art Intensive combines the following program elements to fully immerse students in the SMFA's interdisciplinary approach to art:
1 - Foundational Study in Drawing and Painting, Sculpture/3D, and Digital Media/Animation: Over the three weeks, all students will participate in foundational study sections that provide instruction and technique advancement in drawing/painting, sculpture/3D, and digital media. Students will work with a range of materials from acrylic paints and charcoal to wire, found objects, and digital animation. Each area of study will build towards a final project that allows students to use their learning to explore ideas, make connections across mediums and materials that interest them. Students are encouraged to connect their projects across mediums, creating a cohesive body of work.
2 - Critical Studies Class: This piece of the intensive will center visiting artist talks, field trips, and other explorations of making art in the context of the real world. The Critical Studies class will introduce students to analysis and critique while supporting them in writing and thinking critically about art.
3 - Portfolio Development and College Application Advisement: Students will have the chance to work one-on-one with faculty mentors to help develop their artwork and portfolios. Information sessions and individual meetings with members of the SMFA at Tufts admissions team will provide students unparalleled access to guidance building a portfolio and preparing college applications to top tier BFA programs.

Closing Event: Final Exhibit
On the last day of the program, students will participate in a final exhibition attended by family, friends, faculty and other members of the SMFA at Tufts’ community. Students will have the chance to experience what it’s like to work in exhibitions by collaboratively curating and installing the show. The Exhibit will occur on the last day of the program, and will conclude by 2pm.

Tufts SMFA Studio Art

Jul 09 - Jul 28

3 weeks

Residential

6750 USD

Tufts SMFA Studio Art

Jul 09 - Jul 28

3 weeks

Commuter

5000 USD

Program Fees - Summer 2023

Commuter Program Fee: $5,000 + $200 Materials Fee
Includes: all program activities, materials and supplies, 1 meal per weekday (lunch), opening/closing events, use of select campus facilities, included program excursions and daily activities.
Excludes: residential accommodations, breakfast/dinner/weekend meals, airfare/transportation to and from home city or residence, courses and activities shown to have an extra fee, laundry, spending money, souvenirs, meals eaten away from program, trip cancellation insurance, medical insurance, required vaccinations, medical and dental expenses, any non-program-related transportation needs, and anything not explicitly stated above.

Residential Program Fee: $6,750 + $200 Materials Fee
Includes: all program activities, materials and supplies, bed in a double-room in a Tufts dormitory, 3 meals per day (brunch / dinner on Sundays), use of select campus facilities, included program and residential excursions and daily activities, bed linens, pillow and towels, 24-hour residential care and support, staff-accompanied airport transfer during specified windows.
Excludes: airfare/transportation to and from home city, courses and activities shown to have an extra fee, laundry, spending money, souvenirs, meals eaten away from program, airport transfers outside of specified windows, trip cancellation insurance, medical insurance, required vaccinations, medical and dental expenses, any non-program-related transportation needs, and anything not explicitly stated above.

Non-Refundable Program Deposit: $550, applied to the Program Fee.
A pre-payment on program fees is required to reserve space in the program.
This deposit will be applied toward program fees and is not an additional fee.
The balance of payment for program fees is due upon notification of charges, and no later than May 15.
This deposit is non-refundable in the event of withdrawal from the program.

Financial Aid

Tufts Pre-College Programs are committed to aiding students from all backgrounds. Although we have only limited need-based financial aid available, we do our best to distribute the funds to students for whom it can make the greatest difference in their ability to attend.
Financial Aid awards are made on a rolling basis to students with demonstrated need. We aim to provide enough aid to eligible students that they are able to successfully enroll and participate in the program.
If financial assistance is essential to your ability to attend the program, we recommend that you wait to pay the $550 non-refundable deposit until you have received your financial aid decision. Award decisions will be issued twice per month.

Please note:
International students are not eligible for financial aid at this time. Families should expect to contribute to the remaining portion of the program cost as well as other expenses like travel, books, etc.
We currently do not offer aid for students participating in our Leadership for Social Change Intensive