15 Prestigious Arts, Media, and Civic Engagement Summer Programs for High School Students
While STEM summer programs often receive the most attention, there are equally rigorous and prestigious opportunities in fields such as media, journalism, civic engagement, and the arts. These programs allow high school students to build advanced skills through immersive, hands-on experiences.
Many are highly selective and offer mentorship from industry professionals, exposure to college-level work, and meaningful real-world projects. Participants may develop original performances, curate portfolios, publish journalism, or collaborate on civic and leadership initiatives.
Below are 15 prestigious summer programs (many of which are free, low-cost, or stipend-supported) in arts, media, civic engagement, leadership, and entrepreneurship, all with spring or early-summer application deadlines.
Application Deadline: January 15
Location: The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab, NYC
Program Dates: July 19 - 25
Who: High school students (particularly from underrepresented backgrounds)
Cost: Free
Springboard to Design is a week-long theatrical design mentorship and education program presented by Design Action and led by Tony Award-winning designers. The program introduces students to the collaborative process of theatre design and creative production, covering areas such as set, costume, lighting, projection, hair/makeup, and sound design. Through hands-on workshops, seminars, and behind-the-scenes access to Broadway and off-Broadway work, participants learn from industry professionals and build practical skills in creative problem-solving and design storytelling. Springboard to Design prioritizes students who have limited or no access to theatre education and welcomes applicants nationwide and internationally.
2. The Wooster Group Summer Institute
Application Deadline: April 22
Location: The Performing Garage, NYC
Program Dates: July 6 - 25 with final public performances on July 24 & 25
Who: NYC public school students ages 12+ (up to high school graduation)
Cost: Free | Lunch provided
The Wooster Group Summer Institute is a free, three‑week intensive performance workshop that invites New York City public school students (age 12 through high school) to explore theater through acting, movement, voice, writing, and technical design with professional teaching artists. Participants work collaboratively to develop ensemble pieces and conclude the program with public performances. Selection emphasizes diversity and supports students with limited access to arts programming; successful participants may return each year until they graduate, and older students can later come back as paid interns.
3. Sadie Nash Summer Institute
Application Deadline: March 13
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Newark
Program Dates: 6 weeks (typically mid‑June through July/August)
Who: 9-12th graders who live in NYC or Newark and identify as young women or gender‑expansive youth
Cost: Free | Participants can receive a stipend (~$450) based on participation
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute is an award‑winning six‑week leadership and social justice program for young women and gender‑expansive youth who want to deepen their leadership skills and broaden their understanding of identity and community. Each week, students will participate in workshops, connect with accomplished women and gender-expansive leaders, and attend field trips.
4. Summer Writing Online (SWO)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (applications open December 15, 2025)
Location: Online
Program Dates: July 6 - 24
Who: 9th-11th graders
Cost: $295 | Financial aid available
Summer Writing Online (SWO) is a three‑week immersive virtual writing residency offered by the University of Iowa’s Belin‑Blank Center, where students participate in daily synchronous classes with world‑class faculty and peers. Participants explore genres like fiction, poetry, and screenwriting through workshops, discussions, and critiques, build community with other young writers, and engage in author talks and special events. Financial aid is available for families who qualify.
5. University of Iowa Summer Residential Program
Application Deadline: Feb 1
Location: University of Iowa
Program Dates: June 14-27, 2026 (Session 1); July 12-25, 2026 (Session 2)
Who: 10th - 12th graders
Cost: $2,500 | Financial aid available
The 2‑Week Summer Residential Program at the University of Iowa is a prestigious, in-person creative writing experience for high school students. Participants choose a single core course, such as fiction, poetry, TV writing, playwriting, or a combination of genres, taught by graduates of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and other MFA programs. Over the two weeks, students take part in workshops, collaborative projects, and social events like open mics and talent shows. They share their writing with peers and instructors, receive feedback, and build a creative community with other young writers. Tuition covers room, board, instruction, and activities, and financial aid is available for eligible students.
6. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Application Deadline: January 26
Location: Princeton University (Hybrid)
Program Dates: Late June through early August
Who: Rising seniors from limited-income backgrounds
Cost: Free
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is a free, intensive journalism and college-prep program for academically strong juniors from low-income families. Students participate in a multi-week hybrid experience, starting with virtual workshops and lectures from professional journalists and Princeton faculty, then moving to a 10-day on-campus residency. During the program, students will have the opportunity to tour major news organizations, cover different events, and report, write, edit, and publish their own newspaper, The Princeton Summer Journal. The program also provides mentorship and guidance for college applications.
Application Deadline: TBD (Application Opens in January)
Location: Columbia University, New York City
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25 (summer seminar) followed by an academic year (September–May) civic leadership and mentoring component
Who: New York City rising seniors; priority given to low‑income and first‑generation college‑bound students
Cost: Free
Freedom & Citizenship is a free, year-long civic leadership program for NYC high school juniors. Students participate in a four-week summer residential seminar in political philosophy taught by Columbia faculty, then continue through the academic year on civic leadership projects while receiving mentoring and college application support. Applicants should demonstrate readiness for rigorous reading and writing, enthusiasm for an intensive summer experience, and commitment to the year-long program. Participants also earn letters of recommendation from faculty and stay connected with undergraduate mentors for college guidance. Applicants who are from low-income families and will be the first generation to graduate from a college in the United States are prioritized.
8. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program
Application Deadline: TBD (Opens Jan 26, 2026)
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, NYC
Program Dates: June 29 – July 31
Who: 10th-12th graders who reside in Manhattan
Cost: Paid internship (minimum wage)
The Manhattan DA High School Internship Program is a rigorous five‑week paid summer internship that gives students an insider’s look at the criminal justice system. Interns work in person at the DA’s office and participate in workshops, discussions, mock trial programs, and professional development activities, gaining exposure to legal careers while building research, communication, and office skills. Eligible applicants must reside in Manhattan.
9. Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement
Application Deadline: TBD (Application Opens in March)
Location: University of Southern California
Program Dates: June (3 weeks)
Who: High school students near USC
Cost: Free
The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a prestigious summer program that introduces high school students to journalism, media studies, and civic leadership. Over three weeks, a small cohort of talented high school students takes courses comparable to first-year college work in media, journalism, communication, and civic engagement while building key skills like writing, critical thinking, and public speaking. Alumni of the Academy have credited the program with boosting confidence, strengthening portfolios, and shaping academic and career trajectories in media, communications, and related fields.
Application Deadline: February 28
Location: The City College of New York, NYC
Program Dates: June 29 - July 30
Who: 9th–12th grade girls and nonbinary students from the NY tri-state area
Cost: Free
Bossgirls is a free summer entrepreneurship program from the Zahn Innovation Center at The City College of New York. Participants work in collaborative teams to develop business ideas, research problems, develop solutions, and create prototypes. Over the course of the program, students gain real-world skills in market research, business model development, marketing, financials, and pitching.
The experience culminates in team presentations where participants pitch their ventures “Shark Tank”-style to peers, mentors, and community leaders. No prior business experience is required, and a supportive mentor network helps guide students throughout the summer.
11. Apollo Theater Technical Internship
Application Deadline: TBD (early April)
Location: Apollo Theater, New York City
Program Dates: July to August (6 weeks)
Who: Rising 12th graders in NYC
Cost: Paid internship ($16.50/hr)
The Apollo Theater Technical Internship is a six-week summer program for rising seniors in NYC high schools interested in pursuing careers in technical theater production. Student interns gain experience in areas such as lighting design, audio engineering, videography, and production design, while working alongside The Apollo’s professional production crew. Interns also have opportunities to develop transferable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and project management.
12. The Bell Summer Youth Podcast Academy
Application Deadline: TBD (May)
Location: The Bell Office, NYC
Program Dates: August
Who: NYC public and charter high school students
Cost: Free | $500 stipend and daily lunch allowance
The Bell’s Summer Youth Podcast Academy is a three‑week immersive workshop where participants learn audio journalism and podcasting skills, from interviewing and scriptwriting to recording and editing. Students will work with professional storytellers and producers to create their own podcast episodes. The program helps students interested in storytelling gain experience in the journalism and media industry.
13. Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
Application Deadline: March 15
Location: Washington, D.C.
Program Dates: June 21-26
Who: Rising seniors
Cost: Free | $1,000 scholarship
The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is a prestigious, all‑expenses‑paid five-day summer program that introduces high school juniors to the world of journalism and media. Participants attend panels with top journalists, visit influential newsrooms, explore civic landmarks in Washington, D.C., and engage in hands-on activities to develop reporting, storytelling, and media skills. The program accepts 51 high school juniors (one from each state and the District of Columbia).
14. The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) Journey to Leadership
Application Deadline: TBD (June)
Location: Hunter College, NYC
Program Dates: 6 weeks total, 3 separate cohorts
Who: Students ages 13 - 21 from NYC
Cost: Free participation; $500 stipend offered to attendees
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute’s Journey to Leadership Program is designed to empower youth from underrepresented groups, such as female-identifying and LGBTQI, with the skills needed to become active participants in civic, political, and community life. Over six weeks, 60 trainees per cohort engage in workshops, debate labs, and networking events to develop leadership and communication skills. The program emphasizes preparing the next generation of leaders.
Application Deadline: March 22, 2026
Location: Carmel, Indiana
Program Dates: July 11–18
Who: 9th-12th graders
Cost: ~$1,000 | Financial aid available
The Songbook Academy is an eight‑day summer music intensive for high school singers held in Carmel, Indiana each July. Selected from a national applicant pool, about 40 talented students in grades 9 - 12 immerse themselves in vocal training focused on the Great American Songbook and music performance. Participants receive personalized mentorship from industry professionals and experienced coaches, work on vocal technique, interpretation, stage presence, and performance skills, and perform solo and ensemble pieces on a world‑class concert stage open to the public.
As these programs have limited spots and many applicants, they are highly competitive and often require application essays or samples. Beyond the prestige, they offer students experiences they can’t get elsewhere: stepping onto a stage as a designer, producing a podcast that reaches a real audience, or debating civic policy. To help students navigate these rigorous applications, we provide personalized guidance with essays and writing samples, giving them the tools to stand out and maximize their chances of being accepted.
