Arts in the Summer

Every summer, Columbia University welcomes hundreds of students to the New York City campus to study the arts. The School of the Arts offers courses in Film, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Writing, taught by renowned professors who are experts in their field.

Arts in the Summer courses are open to all. These courses are perfect for students looking to explore the arts or build their portfolio. It’s also a great fit for prospective graduate students.

Applying is fast and simple. Neither a transcript nor a B.A. is required. Select “Visiting Student Programs” on the online application and "Arts in the Summer" as your program of study. Please consult with a Summer Session Advisor to learn more.

Subject Areas

Choose courses from subject areas offered by the School of the Arts.

Theatre

Includes the New York Theatre Event, a course that takes students to theatre productions around the city.

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Film

Includes courses in TV Writing, Screenwriting, Producing, Film History, and more.

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Writing

Includes writing workshops in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry, as well as craft courses in Humor, YA Literature, Travel Writing, and more.

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Visual Arts

Includes studio courses in Photography, Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking.

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Additional faculty and course details can be found by visiting the School of the Arts summer programs webpage.

FAQ

Arts in the Summer courses are open to all who wish to enroll (with the exception of the intensive courses offered). These courses are a great option for individuals who would like to explore the arts, students looking to build a portfolio, or those looking to attend graduate school down the line. The application process is clear, fast, and simple. Please consult with a Summer Session Advisor to learn more.

Students admitted to the Arts in the Summer program can enroll in Film, Theatre, Writing, and Visual Arts classes. If a student is also interested in taking a course outside of these four subjects, they should apply to the Visiting Student program, pending eligibility.

Students interested in the Focus Area in Arts and Culture in NYC in the Visiting Student program must enroll in two courses and can select from a wider range of subject areas.

New York State law requires that all students, regardless of credit options or course modality selection, document their immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. To do so, you must submit the Columbia University Measles, Mumps, and Rubella form to the Columbia Health Immunization Compliance Office and confirm your Meningococcal Meningitis decision online.

Read more about immunization requirements.

We encourage students to take action on these requirements as soon as possible, as it can take up to 10 business days for processing.

Summer 2025 applications will open in mid-November.

Academics

Arts in the Summer