Summer Programs

Summer arts immersion programs

Enroll your aspiring creator in one or more of the summer art camps offered by Herron's Community Learning Programs. These weeklong sessions are open to students in grades 5 through 12 and recent high school graduates, with an art-making emphasis on themes such as narrative, identity, and social issues.

Through high-quality art instruction in our spacious and inspiring facilities, participants will find inspiration, pique their curiosity, and explore the visual arts. They will improve their technical art and design skills by experimenting with different artistic processes and creating artwork for a portfolio.

Summer 2022 will feature the following eight weeklong sessions, with two sessions per week:

  • June 13-17: Junior High Drawing & Illustration + High School Drawing & illustration
  • June 20-24: Junior High Painting + High School Painting
  • July 11-15: Junior High 3-D Studio Art + High School 3-D Studio Art
  • July 18-22: Art School Sampler + Herron Pre-College

All sessions will be held in Eskenazi Hall, located at 735 W. New York St. on the IUPUI campus, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The cost of all sessions is $200 per person, and each session has a maximum of 15 participants.

To be enrolled, you must register by the following deadlines:

  • June sessions: June 1
  • July sessions: July 1

While completing the online registration form secures a student's spot in a summer session, enrollment is not guaranteed until full payment is received.

Scholarships: Scholarships are available for students in grades 5 through 12. To apply, complete our online scholarship application form.

Discounted rates: Summer sessions are discounted for IU affiliates and Indiana educators. Please email sschool@iupui.edu for the discount code.

Students in grades 4 or 8 who wish to "test out" of their current grade level and into a higher group should submit a portfolio of work to sschool@iupui.edu for consideration. 

With COVID-19 cases declining rapidly at IU and throughout the state, masks will be optional on all campuses beginning March 4, 2022. The action coincides with the anticipated expiration of state and county public health orders on that date.

Classrooms, residence halls, dining spaces, building common areas and IU Athletics venues are all examples of indoor spaces where mask use will be optional.

View campus visitor guidance

Each Friday from 3:30 to 5 p.m., a culminating exhibition of student work will be held in Eskenazi Hall, room HR 259.

Eskenazi Hall is located on the IUPUI campus at 735 W. New York St. Check-in for Herron's Community Learning Programs takes place immediately after entering the building's main doors on the west side.

Get Google Maps directions

Parking is free for participants and their guests.

Herron's Community Learning Programs will provide validation for parking in the Sports Complex Garage (875 W. New York St.), adjacent to Eskenazi Hall, or on levels 5 and 6 of the Riverwalk Garage (245 University Blvd.), southwest of the building.

Junior High Drawing & Illustration: Exploring Narrative

During this week of Herron's Junior High Art Camp, students in grades 5 through 8 will experiment with and develop skills in drawing and illustration with graphite, charcoal, ink, and pastels. Participants will be encouraged to experiment and take risks to pursue ideas, forms, and meanings that emerge during the studio process while exploring narrative themes. Projects will focus on graphic story-telling, incorporating illustrative and sequential art strategies such as original character creation, storyboards, and stop-motion animation.

Dates: June 13-17, 2022
Grades: 5 through 8
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

This summer session's enrollment cap has been reached.

High School Drawing & Illustration: Exploring Narrative

Students in grades 9 through 12 will focus on observational drawing and creative illustration during this week-long intensive. Participants will study anatomy and character development by analyzing comics and graphic novels and creating visual narratives. Traditional drawing tools such as graphite and ink will be combined with popular digital design apps.

Dates: June 13-17, 2022
Grades: 9 through 12
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

This summer session's enrollment cap has been reached.

Junior High Painting: Exploring Identity

Students in grades 5 through 8 will explore the theme of identity while learning to paint with acrylic, gouache, and watercolor. Participants will study an array of contemporary artists whose work focuses on identity, then experiment with media to push beyond traditional uses and create a body of work that exemplifies their learning throughout the week.

Dates: June 20-24, 2022
Grades: 5 through 8
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

This summer session's enrollment cap has been reached.

High School Painting: Exploring Identity

Students in grades 9 through 12 will focus on the theme of identity while learning to paint with acrylic, gouache, and watercolor. Color theory, as well as contemporary artists and practices, will be used to guide participants through each medium. They will walk away with self-portraits, object studies, and contemporary explorations in abstraction and mixed media to add to their portfolio.

Dates: June 20-24, 2022
Grades: 9 through 12
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

Enroll now

Junior High 3-D Studio Art: Exploring Social Issues

Students in grades 5 through 8 will concentrate on three-dimensional art techniques and processes. Participants will experiment with additive and subtractive sculpture techniques, as well as traditional media such as polymer clay, 3-D printing, and found objects. Process-based learning and product development through design thinking will be prioritized.

Dates: July 11-15, 2022
Grades: 5 through 8
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

This summer session's enrollment cap has been reached.

High School 3-D Studio Art: Exploring Social Issues

During this week-long intensive, students in grades 9 through 12 will focus on three-dimensional techniques and processes. Participants will try additive and subtractive sculpture techniques, as well as traditional media such as polymer clay, 3-D printing, and found objects. Individuals and classmates will be encouraged to connect social issues to their creations, with an emphasis on process-based learning and product development through design thinking.

Dates: July 11-15, 2022
Grades: 9 through 12
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

Enroll now

Art School Sampler

Art School Sampler is a comprehensive camp in which students in grades 5 through 10 will get a taste of what art schools have to offer. Art School Sampler, like Herron’s Pre-College program, allows participants to explore a variety of two- and three-dimensional media, and contemporary art topics, as well as position themselves as future art students, professional artists, and other college and career ready positions. The outcomes will include completed works of drawing and illustration, painting, printmaking, and building, as well as documentation for their college admissions portfolio.

There is no need to submit a portfolio for Art School Sampler.

Dates: July 18-22, 2022
Grades: 5 through 10
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

This summer session's enrollment cap has been reached.

Herron Pre-College

Herron Pre-College is a week-long advanced intensive designed to prepare students in grades 11 and 12, as well as recent high school graduates, for the challenges of a college-level studio art curriculum. Participants are immersed in sustained investigations as they explore cultural and social concepts alongside contemporary art practices. Throughout the week, participants will share their love of art with their peers, receive individualized feedback on their existing work, and get instruction in a variety of digital and traditional media, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, animation, and 3-D construction.

There will also be visits to the Eiteljorg Museum to examine artwork and curatorial practices, as well as opportunities to observe and create work inspired by the natural environments of White River State Park, the Canal Walk, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

There is no portfolio requirement for Herron Pre-College, but participants should bring an easy-to-share digital or physical collection of previous artwork to class.

Dates: July 18-22, 2022
Grades: 11 through 12 + recent high school graduates
Location: Eskenazi Hall
Times: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $200 per semester

Enroll now

Financial aid and tuition discounts

Herron provides needs-based scholarships to eligible students and families. Funds are limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, complete our online scholarship application form.

Apply for a scholarship

Siblings and students of IUPUI employees receive a 10% discount. Contact sschool@iupui.edu for the discount code or questions about scholarships.