Art & Design Intensive + Portfolio Development

Photo by Winnie Westergard from Summer@Cornish 2025; arts students drawing on easel.
Summer@Cornish

Art & Design 4-Week Program

Summer@Cornish is a four-week intensive running July 12–August 6, giving high school arts students a mini-college experience at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. Students create and showcase original work, explore electives beyond their primary art form, and build skills for further study and careers in the arts.

The Art & Design Experience

Students will explore art and design through drawing, painting, and building with physical materials. Morning studio work will encourage them to experiment with color, composition, texture, and form as they turn ideas into original images and three-dimensional objects. Working with their hands, they’ll strengthen their observation, develop technical skills, and discover how materials and design choices can shape a finished piece.

Afternoon electives will offer opportunities to deepen their studio practice or explore digital art, design, and other creative interests across disciplines.

Fridays will focus on portfolio development. Students will work with faculty and professional artists to select and refine their work, explain their creative process, and prepare for college applications. Along the way, they’ll gain insight into college-level study and life as a working artist or designer.

Full-Time and Part-Time Options

Students can attend the full-time program or choose a part-time option through the Morning Intensive or afternoon electives.

A residential option is available to full-time students. Visit the Summer@Cornish FAQ for additional details.

Tuition and Scholarships

Afternoon electives start at $730, and the Morning Intensive is $3,160. Register before March 1 to receive a 10% discount.

Apply for a need-based scholarship.

Get in Touch

Have questions? Email cornishplus@seattleu.edu or schedule a one-on-one conversation with Michael.

“The instructors were amazing! It taught me most of what I know about the college application process as well as the life of a college student."