Art Portfolio Institute Session I - Color
Registration is now open!
This is an intensive summer institute for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors preparing portfolios for art school admissions and for those thinking about entering an art program.

Dates of Institute
Sunday, July 9 - Friday, July 14th, 2023
The Program
This is an intensive summer institute for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors preparing portfolios for art school admissions and for those thinking about entering an art program. Throughout the institute, we will identify students' concepts and skills to work on to strengthen their portfolios.
This institute session will focus on color. Students will use a wide variety of materials to learn through experience how color interacts with material and form to create experiences for viewers. Students will create a minimum of 2 finished works for their portfolios, as well as be introduced to artwork planning and development. Both 2D and 3D formats will be explored. Work documentation for portfolio presentation will be covered.
Tuition, Room and Board:
The program fee is $1080. This includes a non-refundable deposit of $100. This covers tuition, supervision, class materials, recreational activities, room and board from dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day.
The deposit must be submitted with the application.
Each participant is responsible for transportation, incidentals and extra nights or meals. If, for any reason, a participant must be sent home early, all expenses will be paid by the student/parents.
Who Can Attend?
This program is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who wish to continue their education at the art school of their choice.
Tentative Schedule
Participants arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 PM on Sunday for registration and leave after lunch on Friday. Sunday registration is followed by orientation, dinner and welcome activities. Classes begin Monday morning. Throughout the course of the week each participant will be given a one-on-one portfolio review and college counseling session.
Sunday
2-4 PM Registration, Meet the Staff, and Get Settled in the Residence Halls
4:30 PM Welcome/Orientation, followed by dinner, a campus tour, a welcome reception at the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum and evening activities
Monday-Thursday
Each day will have a morning and afternoon session. They will include introduction to several different art media with continuation of work throughout the week. There will also be daily and some evening studio time along with individual portfolio review and college counseling sessions.
Friday
Morning Session: Art Show and wrap-up
Institute ends after lunch. Participants vacate residence halls by 2:00 PM.
Alfred University Admissions interviews are available by appointment on Friday afternoon. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Office of Admissions at 607-871-2115.
Director:Mary Johnson joined Alfred University’s faculty in 2022. She received her MFA in Studio Art and Visual Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her BA in Fine Art from Gordon College. She has exhibited in numerous cities including Houston, TX, Beijing, and Shanghai.
Questions about the class content can be directed to Professor Johnson.
Tuition, Room and Board:
$1080 (deposit: $100)
Materials fee: $100
This covers tuition, supervision, materials, take-home projects, room and board from dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day, and recreational activities.
How to Apply:
Participants who wish to apply must submit the online registration form along with the following:
- Provide a one-page essay telling us why you would like to attend this program (in your own words; sign the essay)
Camp Registration Portal (CampDoc)
CampDoc Registration Instructions
Cancellation Policy:
Refunds, less the $100 non-refundable deposit, will be made for cancellations received by June 15th. 50% refunds will be made for cancellations received from June 16th through 24th. Sorry, no refunds can be issued after June 24th.
After the application deadline, the Institute Director will review all completed applications and determine which participants are accepted. Acceptance/non-acceptance notification will be provided via email. If you require an earlier decision, please indicate this by including a note with your application form. All applications will be considered as space allows.
Once participants are accepted they will be reminded by email from CampDocs to complete the required documents (parental permissions to attend as well as health records) for the institute. Updated immunization information (including dates) is also required at that time. (If you do not have updated immunization information on hand, you may want to acquire this from your physician now to avoid processing delays.)
Supervision:
When Participants are not in class, they are supervised by our wonderful team of Counselors who serve as mentors, positive role models and friends. In order to ensure everyone has a safe, healthy and enjoyable time on campus, participants are expected to abide by the University's summer programs rules & regulations.
Activities:
When not in classes, participants have fun participating in recreational activities. Living, dining and learning together, Participants have ample opportunity to get to know each other and develop lasting friendships. Sample activities include:
- Ice-breaker games on the first night to help everyone get acquainted
- Movies in Nevins Theater
- Outdoor games such as "Capture the Flag" and "Ultimate Frisbee"
- Indoor games such as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," ping pong, board games, basketball, etc.
- Social gatherings with refreshments and music in the Knight Club
- Relaxing and socializing at a local coffee house
- Farewell party on the last night
Housing:
Participants stay in secure University residence halls dedicated to summer institutes (2 per room) and must bring their own pillows and blankets. Bed/bath linens will be provided, but they can also bring their own (bed linens must fit the extra-long twin residence hall beds). Laundry facilities are available in each hall at no charge. Males and females are housed on separate floors. Our Counselors will be on-site in the residence halls at all times.
Meals:
Delicious, all-you-can-eat, cafeteria-style meals are served in the campus dining hall. Our Dining Services chefs do an excellent job in accommodating participants with food allergies and other special requirements.
Participants living locally who wish to attend as commuters may do so. The commuter rate, which includes tuition, program materials and lunch is $790 (deposit: $100). Participants who wish to commute must check in at registration on Sunday and arrive on campus by 8:45 AM for classes Monday-Friday. They must be picked up no later than 5:00 PM Monday-Thursday unless they will be participating in evening activities (please make arrangements with the Summer Programs Coordinator for pick-up times). The last day of the institute (Friday) pick-up time is 1:00 PM. Please be sure to check the "Commuter" box on the application form.
Sorry, there are no scholarships or other forms of financial aid available.
Alfred University is located in the peaceful village of Alfred in Western New York State, where summer days are warm and nights are cool and comfortable. Surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful meadows and valleys, Alfred University is the perfect place to spend an enjoyable week learning more about your favorite subject and meeting other students who share your passion for astronomy!
The campus, a 6-hour drive from New York City, 2 hours from Buffalo and 1 1/4 hours from Rochester, is easily accessible by car or bus from all directions and is located just five miles south of Interstate 86. The nearest major airport is the Rochester International Airport (about 65 miles north). Transportation to and from that airport can be provided for an additional charge if we receive your request by the date indicated in your acceptance notification. After that date students must make their own arrangements with an airport limo service.
The University may cancel any course or activity at any time because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for other costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.
Whether considering candidates for admission or financial aid, applicants for employment or the management of its policies and school-administered programs, Alfred University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, or disability. Alfred University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.