Programs & summer programs
National programs that promote the liberal arts, music, art, dance and the humanities — the counterweight to twenty years of STEM camps.
Always check the official site. Dates, prices, eligibility and deadlines change every year, and many selective programs close applications in winter for the following summer. Descriptions here were checked in November 2026.
Humanities & writing (high school)
Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Free five-week residential seminar for high school sophomores and juniors in the humanities and social sciences. Tuition, books, room and board are covered; travel aid available.
Visit site →Iowa Young Writers' Studio
Two-week creative writing program at the University of Iowa (in person or online), taught largely by Iowa Writers' Workshop graduates; also six-week online courses.
Visit site →Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School — Humanities
Month-long residential program for selected Virginia 10th and 11th graders. Apply through your school division in the fall.
Visit site →Junior State of America Summer Programs
Summer school and institutes in government, debate and leadership for high schoolers.
Visit site →Kenyon Review Young Writers
Summer creative writing workshops for high school students from the literary magazine at Kenyon College.
Visit site →Johns Hopkins CTY
Summer and online courses for advanced students, including humanities and writing options.
Visit site →Music
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
Selective summer training for high school-age musicians in Lenox, Mass., connected to the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Tanglewood.
Visit site →Interlochen Arts Camp — Music
One of the best-known summer music camps in the U.S., in northern Michigan, for grades 3–12.
Visit site →Brevard Music Center
Summer institute and festival in the North Carolina mountains for young classical musicians.
Visit site →Virginia Governor's School — Instrumental & Vocal Music
Part of Virginia's Visual & Performing Arts Governor's School; admission by statewide audition.
Visit site →Visual arts, theatre & dance
Interlochen Arts Camp
Seven arts areas: creative writing, dance, film & new media, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre and visual arts.
Visit site →Idyllwild Arts Summer Program
Summer arts workshops in the California mountains for children, teens and adults.
Visit site →The Ailey School Summer Intensives
Four-week Junior Division (ages 12–15) and five-week Professional Division (ages 16–25) in New York City, by audition.
Visit site →AileyCamp
Summer dance and personal-development camps for ages 11–14 in several U.S. cities.
Visit site →American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensives
Ballet summer intensives for young dancers, by audition.
Visit site →Virginia Governor's School — Visual & Performing Arts
Dance, theatre, visual arts and music for Virginia 10th and 11th graders, by audition or portfolio review.
Visit site →Languages & culture
Concordia Language Villages
Immersion camps in many languages, with day, one-, two- and four-week options for young people, plus family and adult programs.
Visit site →Year-round competitions (great resume builders)
National History Day
History research projects for grades 6–12, from school level up to a national contest each June.
Visit site →Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Art and writing awards for grades 7–12, running since 1923; regional deadlines fall in winter.
Visit site →National YoungArts Foundation
National recognition program for young artists ages 15–18 (or grades 10–12).
Visit site →Online, any time of year
Outschool
Live small-group classes for ages 3–18, including summer camps online in music, art, writing and history.
Visit site →Iowa Young Writers' Studio online courses
Six-week online creative writing courses for high schoolers.
Visit site →Close to home: Richmond, Virginia
Because this site is written from Richmond, a few local places to start:
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Exhibitions and education programs on Virginia history.
Visit site →Looking for STEM camps instead? They're over at RVAstem.com — and yes, we still recommend them.
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Questions people ask
Are there free summer humanities programs for high schoolers?
Yes. The Telluride Association Summer Seminar covers tuition, books, room and board for every student and offers travel aid. Virginia's Summer Residential Governor's Schools are largely state-funded; check your school division for current costs.
When should students apply for selective summer arts programs?
Usually in the fall or winter before the summer. For example, TASS applications for summer 2026 opened October 15, 2025 and closed December 3, 2025. Check each program for its current cycle.
Who can attend Virginia's Summer Residential Governor's Schools?
Selected Virginia high school students in 10th and 11th grade. Students apply through their local school division; arts programs require an audition or portfolio review.