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.

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.

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:

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. 55 Hours of Work Time!

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

Program Details:

Dates: July 27 - August 7, 2026

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

Session 1: July 27, 28, 29

Session 2: August 5, 6, 7

1:00pm - 4:00pm

*This program is located at our 10 Nassau St location*

This three-day workshop introduces students to the core ideas of painting through a focused study of still life, landscape, and portrait. Each day centers on a different subject, allowing students to build a clear understanding of how painters organize form, light, and color across varied contexts.

Students will begin with still life, learning how to observe relationships between objects and establish structure and value. The landscape session will introduce atmospheric perspective and the simplification of natural forms. In the portrait session, students will be guided through proportion and basic color relationships of the head.

Throughout the workshop, instruction emphasizes careful observation, color mixing, and the organization of a painting from start to finish. Students will complete a series of studies while developing a stronger sense of control and clarity in their work.

Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

Ages 7–14

September 17, 2026 - June 10, 2027

The same PRECAD you love, one hour shorter!

The Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD) offers students aged 7 to 14 a structured introduction to classical drawing and painting. Rooted in traditional academic methods, the curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency through carefully sequenced instruction and hands-on practice.

Students engage in projects that build essential skills in proportion, structure, value, and composition—forming the foundation for lifelong visual literacy. This early training also supports the development of graphomotor coordination and observational acuity.

Beyond technical skill-building, the program fosters creative exploration and encourages individual expression within a framework of historical context. Students are introduced to a wide range of artistic traditions through illustrated lectures and guided discussions, expanding their awareness of global art history.

The PRECAD curriculum is designed not only to produce confident young artists, but to instill an enduring appreciation for the discipline, creativity, and cultural depth of the visual arts.

Materials: Please have the Marie's 18 color gouache paint set, which can be purchased online or in person at Jerry's Artarama or on Amazon.

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.

Students in this program explore the following interests:

• fine art
• architecture
• interior design
• computer animation
• fashion design
• animation
• concept art 

Please see the materials list here.

Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

Ages 7–14

September 20, 2026 - June 13, 2027

The Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD) offers students aged 7 to 14 a structured introduction to classical drawing and painting. Rooted in traditional academic methods, the curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency through carefully sequenced instruction and hands-on practice.

Students engage in projects that build essential skills in proportion, structure, value, and composition—forming the foundation for lifelong visual literacy. This early training also supports the development of graphomotor coordination and observational acuity.

Beyond technical skill-building, the program fosters creative exploration and encourages individual expression within a framework of historical context. Students are introduced to a wide range of artistic traditions through illustrated lectures and guided discussions, expanding their awareness of global art history.

The PRECAD curriculum is designed not only to produce confident young artists, but to instill an enduring appreciation for the discipline, creativity, and cultural depth of the visual arts.

This year’s program will be richer than ever before, featuring new special-topic lectures and expanded opportunities for off-site visits to museums and cultural institutions, further enriching students’ understanding, and life long appreciation of the arts.

Materials: Please have the Marie's 18 color gouache paint set, which can be purchased online or in person at Jerry's Artarama or on Amazon.

Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD)

Ages 7–14

September 20, 2026 - June 13, 2027

The Pre-Academy Program (PRECAD) offers students aged 7 to 14 a structured introduction to classical drawing and painting. Rooted in traditional academic methods, the curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency through carefully sequenced instruction and hands-on practice.

Students engage in projects that build essential skills in proportion, structure, value, and composition—forming the foundation for lifelong visual literacy. This early training also supports the development of graphomotor coordination and observational acuity.

Beyond technical skill-building, the program fosters creative exploration and encourages individual expression within a framework of historical context. Students are introduced to a wide range of artistic traditions through illustrated lectures and guided discussions, expanding their awareness of global art history.

The PRECAD curriculum is designed not only to produce confident young artists, but to instill an enduring appreciation for the discipline, creativity, and cultural depth of the visual arts. 

Materials: Please have the Marie's 18 color gouache paint set, which can be purchased online or in person at Jerry's Artarama or on Amazon.