Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

ages 7-14

The same program you love, one hour shorter!

Our esteemed program offers a comprehensive and engaging classical drawing and painting curriculum for children ages 7 to 14. We combine technical training with hands-on projects, ensuring your child acquires a strong foundation in traditional techniques and gains the skills necessary to become a successful creative.

The course is a carefully structured blend of rigorous instruction and compositional projects. By working to master these skills at a young age, students will effectively improve their graphomotor skills and retain this knowledge into adulthood.

Our program is designed to do more than produce finished artworks; we cultivate your child's creativity and self-expression while exposing them to the rich and varied history of art. 

Complementing the technical training in drawing and painting, we introduce your child to diverse facets of art history likely unfamiliar to them. Our in-depth art lectures broaden their understanding of the global scale of historical art.

GENERAL REGISTRATION OPENS 6/3/24 @ 1:00pm

The Princeton Academy of Art Pre-College Program is designed for students who wish to develop a strong foundation in the visual arts before entering a collegiate environment. Whether the student plans to pursue an art degree or whether art is their passion and will remain a part of their lives, students in this program get the chance to experience what visual arts in college will be like and will get to make work that reflects a deeper understanding of fine art in a global context.

Modeled after first-year programs at leading art institutions, this course emphasizes critical technical skills, conceptual development, and portfolio refinement. Through studio work, in-class and out of class lectures, and in-class workshops covering various course materials, students are equipped to meet the demands of higher education in the arts.

Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

ages 7-14

Our esteemed program offers a comprehensive and engaging classical drawing and painting curriculum for children ages 7 to 14. We combine technical training with hands-on projects, ensuring your child acquires a strong foundation in traditional techniques and gains the skills necessary to become a successful creative.

The course is a carefully structured blend of rigorous instruction and compositional projects. By working to master these skills at a young age, students will effectively improve their graphomotor skills and retain this knowledge into adulthood.

Our program is designed to do more than produce finished artworks; we cultivate your child's creativity and self-expression while exposing them to the rich and varied history of art. 

Complementing the technical training in drawing and painting, we introduce your child to diverse facets of art history likely unfamiliar to them. Our in-depth art lectures broaden their understanding of the global scale of historical art.

Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

ages 7-14

Our esteemed program offers a comprehensive and engaging curriculum in classical drawing and painting for children ages 7 to 14. We combine technical training with hands-on projects, ensuring your child acquires a strong foundation in traditional techniques and gains the skills necessary to become a successful creative.

The course is a carefully structured blend of rigorous instruction and compositional projects. By working to master these skills at a young age, students will effectively improve their graphomotor skills and retain this knowledge into adulthood.

Our program is designed to do more than produce finished artworks; we cultivate your child's creativity and self-expression while exposing them to the rich and varied history of art. 

Complementing the technical training in drawing and painting, we introduce your child to diverse facets of art history likely unfamiliar to them. Our in-depth art lectures broaden their understanding of the global scale of historical art.

SUPPLIES INCLUDED

Drawing is more than observation—it is the foundation for understanding form, structure, and spatial relationships. This three-day intensive is designed for teen artists looking to develop their technical drawing skills through the principles of constructive drawing, an approach used by master artists and architects for centuries.

Students will learn to break down complex subjects into geometric forms, refining their ability to analyze proportions, establish perspective, and create depth. Through guided exercises, instructor demonstrations, and direct application, students will develop a structured, methodical approach to drawing—one that will strengthen their confidence and accuracy in both academic and creative work.

This workshop introduces the same techniques taught in our adult programs, providing young artists with a strong technical foundation that will serve them in future studies, whether in fine art, design, or architecture.

Dates: July 7, 8, & 9

Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Tuition: $350

SUPPLIES INCLUDED - students take home their set of paint at the end

For centuries, cabinets of curiosities have served as collections of rare and extraordinary objects, bridging the worlds of art, science, and history. This summer, students will paint directly from Princeton Academy of Art’s collection of natural specimens and historical artifacts, refining their ability to observe, analyze, and render complex forms with precision.

Working from arranged still lifes, students will develop their skills in composition, color mixing, and layering techniques while studying objects such as skulls, insects, and other preserved specimens. Through guided instruction, they will explore the material properties of gouache, a historical painting medium known for its rich opacity and velvety matte finish.

Used by artists for centuries, gouache was a favored medium in scientific illustration, manuscript illumination, and 19th-century fine art. Its ability to combine delicate transparency with strong, opaque layers makes it an ideal introduction to painting for young artists.

This course is designed to provide students with the same level of rigorous instruction offered in our adult programs, emphasizing the observational skills and technical proficiency required to create compelling, historically grounded works of art.

Dates: July 14 - 18, 2025

Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tuition: $550

SUPPLIES INCLUDED

This three-day workshop introduces students to gouache painting through classical references, focusing on historical techniques, structured application, and color theory. Gouache, a medium used for centuries in fine art and illustration, provides a unique balance of opacity and control, making it an essential tool for artists working in both traditional and contemporary contexts.

Students will work from historical master studies, developing an understanding of form, composition, and value relationships. Instruction will cover layering techniques, controlled blending, and the properties of gouache as a painting medium. Through structured exercises, participants will gain the technical skills necessary to interpret and replicate classical works, reinforcing core principles of representational art.

This course provides the same rigorous training found in our adult programs, offering students a strong foundation in historical painting methods.

Dates: July 14, 15 & 16

Time: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Tuition: $395

A Pre-College Intensive in Classical Training and Portfolio Development

The PAA Summer Residency is an intensive, pre-college program designed for high school students preparing for college-level fine art programs. This rigorous, full-day residency mirrors the expectations of top art schools by combining technical training in classical drawing and painting with conceptual portfolio development.

Program Structure

Students divide their time between two key areas of study:

Morning Sessions - Classical Training in Advanced-Level Workshops: Students train alongside adult artists in PAA’s advanced studio courses, building technical fluency in still life painting, figure drawing, landscape painting, and portrait painting. Through direct engagement with observational study, material handling, and historical methods, students develop a strong technical foundation that will support their future artistic pursuits.

Afternoon Sessions - Creative Development: In structured creative development sessions, students expand upon their morning coursework, applying the principles of classical training to their independent, concept-driven projects. Advanced prompts challenge students to integrate historical methods with contemporary creative thinking, ensuring their portfolios demonstrate both technical ability and originality. These qualities are essential for competitive college applications.

Program Outcomes

By the end of the residency, students will:

Master core disciplines of drawing and painting through intensive classical training.Develop a well-rounded, competitive portfolio that reflects both technical skill and creative direction.Gain confidence in their artistic practice through mentorship, critiques, and structured projects.Be fully prepared for college applications with a portfolio that demonstrates depth, craftsmanship, and individuality.

Program Details

Dates: July 21 - August 15

10:00AM - 4:00PM

Morning: Classical Training in PAA Adult-Level Courses

Afternoon: Portfolio Development based on Advanced Prompts