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.

100 Hours of Work Time!

Equivalent to 80% of the work time available during the academic year (approx 123 work hours during the acadmeic year)

Program Details

Dates: July 21 - August 15

10:30AM - 4:00PM

Morning: Classical Training in PAA Adult-Level Courses

Afternoon: Portfolio Development based on Advanced Prompts

AGES 15-18ALL MATERIALS INCLUDEDThis pre-college summer intensive introduces students to the fundamentals of architectural design through a combination of studio practice, lectures, and model-making. Guided by recent Princeton University graduate Domenica K., participants will learn to think critically about space, structure, and materiality while developing their own design language.

Students will begin with architectural sketching and drafting exercises to build spatial literacy and an understanding of orthographic projection, axonometric drawing, and basic principles of scale and proportion. Emphasis will be placed on concept development, site analysis, and iterative design processes through both analog and physical media.

Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on fabrication of architectural models using materials such as chipboard, basswood, foam core, and museum board. Techniques in scoring, folding, lamination, and volumetric construction will be introduced, culminating in a final presentation of a conceptual building or small-scale spatial intervention. Discussions will also cover tectonics, circulation, program, and precedent analysis drawn from historical and contemporary architectural works.

This studio offers a rigorous introduction to architectural thinking and making, suitable for students considering future studies in architecture, design, or related fields. All materials will be provided.Tuition: $750

A Two-Week Intensive

Designed for high school students preparing for college-level fine art programs, this two-week residency focuses exclusively on creative development and portfolio refinement. Through structured projects, advanced prompts, and mentorship, students will explore concept-driven work while integrating classical principles into their artistic practice.

This full-day immersive residency challenges students to expand their visual language and develop a portfolio that reflects both technical proficiency and personal vision.

Morning Sessions - Advanced Portfolio Development: Students engage in structured prompts designed to challenge their creativity while strengthening their composition, storytelling, and conceptual thinking. Projects reference historical techniques, material exploration, and contemporary artistic approaches, ensuring students build a portfolio that is both technically strong and creatively compelling.

Afternoon Sessions - Application of Classical Methods: Students take inspiration from still life painting, figure drawing, portrait painting, and landscape painting, applying these classical principles to self-directed creative work. Through guided exercises and personal experimentation, they learn to synthesize traditional techniques with their unique artistic voice, preparing them for the demands of competitive college programs.

By the end of the residency, students will:

• Develop a conceptually driven, portfolio-ready body of work for college applications.
• Learn to integrate classical methods into personal creative projects, strengthening both technique and originality.
• Receive structured guidance and critiques to refine their artistic direction.
• Gain confidence in their ability to generate and execute advanced creative ideas.

This residency is designed for serious high school students planning to apply to BFA or BA programs in fine art, illustration, or design or those who wish to showcase their committment to art as their passion, in addition to their non-art intended major. It is ideal for those seeking a focused, intensive environment to refine their work, expand their portfolio, and gain a deeper understanding of their artistic identity.

50 Hours of Work Time!

Equivalent to almost 50% of the work time available during the academic year.

Program Details:

Dates: July 21 - August 1, 2025

Full Day Program - 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

AGES 18+

This four-week intensive introduces students to the foundational principles of constructive figure drawing. The first two sessions are dedicated to working from diagrams and academic plates, focusing on planar construction, gesture, proportion, and key anatomical landmarks. These sessions build a framework for understanding the figure as a structured form in space.

In the final two weeks, students will apply these principles in direct observation from a live model. These sessions emphasize clarity of form, directional movement, and spatial relationships, reinforcing the transition from theoretical study to perceptual accuracy.

This course is well suited for students with prior drawing experience who wish to deepen their understanding of the human figure through a structured, academic approach. But, is open to all skills levels.

Join Princeton Academy of Art for a week of painting & drawing the iconic sites of Princeton!

Dates: August 4 - 8, 2025

Times: 9:00AM - 12:00PM (3 hours)

Day 1 – Indoors at 10 Nassau St Studio

Day 2 – Prospect Garden

Day 3 – Nassau Hall

Day 4 – Freedom Fountain

Day 5 – Morven Museum & Garden 

All supplies included! We do however ask that students are prepared to spend a couple of hours outdoors. 

*Locations subject to change.

**If there is inclement weather, students will move indoors at our 10 Nassau St. location.

Join us for an engaging and educational 3-day session where your child will work from a live model to create a beautiful, structured portrait!

This experience offers children the opportunity to explore the world of portraiture under the guidance and instruction of an academy-trained artist.

Your child will learn the proportions of the face through step-by-step diagrams and afterward will draw the portrait from life.

Our instructor will teach essential techniques and skills for capturing the likeness and unique features of their subjects. Children will develop observational skills, learn about proportion, and begin to apply concrete shading techniques.

This hands-on practice will enhance their artistic abilities, foster confidence in future fine art projects that apply the same methods, and facilitate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art of portraiture. All materials will be provided!

AUGUST 11, 12, 13

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

TUITION: $400

LOCATION: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23

Plaster casting has played a significant role throughout history, dating back to antiquity. It has been an essential medium for artistic education, architectural adornment, scientific examination, and the preservation of historical artifacts. 

During this workshop, students will explore historic and contemporary methods and materials and create their own personal masterpieces! After exploring the casting process, students will also have the opportunity to paint their sculptures. 

All materials will be provided!

SESSION 1: AUGUST 14 & 15

SESSION 2: AUGUST 21 & 22

9:00AM - 12:00PM

TUITION: $395

LOCATION: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23

Join us this summer for a three day portrait painting workshop with live models!

Students will learn to accurately portray the sitter with a balanced composition. They will learn to see value, color, and composition through concrete methods and techniques.

Materials: We ask that each student brings one set of Marie's Gouache paint (18 colors). This can be purchased on Amazon or at Jerry's Artarama, located on US Rt 1. All other materials will be provided.

AUGUST 18, 19, 20

9:00AM - 12:00PM

TUITION: $395

LOCATION: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23