Frequently Asked Questions
We hope these FAQs will help you learn more about the ST.ART Pre-College offerings. If you are interested in learning more or have additional questions– email our team or schedule a chat.
QUICK LINKS
Application & Registration
Who is eligible?
ST.ART Intensive (four–weeks)
Any high school student who completes the tenth or eleventh grade in Spring 2022 and is interested in pursuing Art + Design in college. All applicants must be on track to advance to the eleventh or twelfth grade in Fall 2022.
Current Seniors who will graduate in Spring 2022 and do not intend to enroll in college in Fall 2022, are eligible to apply if they intend to enroll in college in Fall 2023. Students will be prompted to briefly explain why they’ve chosen to delay college admission in the application.
Zip ST.ART (one-week)
Any middle or high school student who completes the eighth, ninth, tenth or eleventh grade in Spring 2022. All participants must be on track to advance to the ninth, tenth or eleventh grade in Fall 2022.
Studio Camp (two-weeks)
Any elementary or middle school student who completes the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade in Spring 2022. All participants must be on track to advance to the sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth grade in Fall 2022.
Educator Retreat (one-week)
Any K-12 educator who is interested in the arts and art + design education.
What is needed to apply to ST.ART Intensive?
The application asks for:
- Applicant Information
- 100 Word Introduction
This short introduction should be written and typed by the applicant and no more than 100 words. Use the introduction to tell us about yourself, why you want to attend Summer ST.ART 2022 and how you think the program can impact your future as an artist. - 3 Images of Original Artwork
Show us what you make! All artworks should be completed by the student and may include class projects or independent artworks. - High School Transcript (optional)
- Concentration Selection
- $35 Application Fee
What are we looking for in a ST.ART Intensive applicant?
Any high school artist interested in developing new artworks and pursuing (or exploring!) a college career in art + design. Use the application to tell us about yourself and the work you make! We welcome applications from students based in Texas and beyond.
What is needed to register for Zip ST.ART?
The registration asks for:
- Student Information
- Studio Session Selections
- $150 Non-refundable Program Deposit
What is needed to register for Studio Camp?
The registration asks for:
- Student Information
- $150 Non-refundable Program Deposit
What is needed to register for the Educator Retreat?
The registration asks for:
- Teacher Information
- Media-Specific Concentration Selection
- $150 Non-refundable Program Deposit
Who should submit a teacher recommendation?
Teacher recommendations are only required by students applying for need based scholarships to attend the ST.ART Intensive or Zip ST.ART.
Who should complete my teacher recommendation form?
Students should ask an instructor, preferably a studio art or academic instructor, or other professional who can evaluate your initiative, maturity, and potential to thrive at Summer ST.ART.
Students should ask an instructor who is willing and qualified to complete the recommendation form on your behalf. Teachers will be sent an electronic recommendation form after a student submits their need-based scholarship materials. Be sure to let your teacher know you’ll be requesting a recommendation from them! Teacher recommendations are only required by students applying for need based scholarships to attend the ST.ART Intensive or Zip ST.ART.
Should I submit more than one teacher recommendation form?
No. Students should only ask one teacher to submit a recommendation form. If multiple recommendation forms are submitted, the review committee will use the first recommendation received.
How do I submit my teacher recommendation form?
Teachers will be sent an electronic recommendation form after a student submits their need-based scholarship materials. We request that all recommendations be submitted by April 8 or within one week. If you are unable to submit a recommendation by this deadline, please contact the ST.ART team.
Do I have to complete the application or registration in one sitting?
Nope. Students will be able to save their information and return to complete the registration or application at a later date.
I’ve applied/registered! Now what?
After submitting a ST.ART Pre-College 2022 application or registration, students or teachers will receive a confirmation email. This email will be sent to the email address used to create the application or registration.
ST.ART Intensive (four–week)
Applicants who submit an application by the April 1 priority deadline will be notified of decisions on April 15. Applications received from April 2 – June 1 will be reviewed on a rolling-basis and applicants will be notified of decisions within two-weeks.
Zip ST.ART (one–week), Studio Camp (two-weeks), and Educator Retreat (one-week)
Once you’ve registered for these programs, you’re all set! Additional program details will be shared in May. All program registrations will remain open until June 1 or until all spaces are taken.
Does participation in a ST.ART Pre-College program impact University of Texas undergraduate or graduate admissions?
No. Acceptance or participation into a ST.ART Pre-College program does not guarantee and/or impact admission as an undergraduate or graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin. Summer ST.ART is intended to provide opportunities for students to develop and enhance portfolios for future college admissions.
Program Fees
How much is ST.ART Intensive tuition? What does tuition include?
Our four–week program is $4,000 and includes over 80 hours of instruction (with highly-skilled artists and educators), extra workshops, some supplies and a ST.ART t-shirt. ST.ART Intensive students participate in a final exhibition at the end of the summer.
How much is Zip ST.ART tuition? What does tuition include?
Our one-week residential program is $1,500 and includes over 30 hours of instruction, most supplies, housing and meals from June 12 at 2pm – June 18 at 10am, Austin excursions, and a ST.ART t-shirt.
Are program fees refundable?
No. The initial application fee and/or program deposit are nonrefundable. All fees (less the deposit and/or application fee) will be returned if a registration is cancelled before June 1. After June 1, the program will retain all fees received – if a participant withdraws or is removed, no fees will be returned.
Financial Aid
What if I am unable to pay the ST.ART Intensive application fee?
That’s ok! Application fee waivers are available. Email the ST.ART team to request a waiver at summerstart@austin.utexas.edu.
Does ST.ART Pre-College offer scholarships?
Yes! ST.ART Pre-College is proud to offer financial aid for teens and teachers to attend our summer programs. Scholarships are not guaranteed and only individuals who submit all required materials by the posted deadlines will be considered. No exceptions.
Learn more about need-based and merit scholarships for teens.
Learn more about professional development grants for educators.
How do I apply for need-based scholarship consideration?
All interested applicants must submit a ST.ART Financial Aid application to be considered for scholarships. The priority deadline is April 1 at 11:15pm. After April 1, we will continue reviewing for need-based scholarships on a rolling-basis until June 1. The scholarship application asks for:
ST.ART Intensive and Zip ST.ART
- Student and Family Information
- One Teacher Recommendation
- Parent/Guardian Letter
This letter should be written by one parent or guardian of the applicant and should express financial need and the potential impact of attending Summer ST.ART at UT Austin for your child. Parent/Guardian letters should be no longer than one-page. - Tax Info
Parents and/or guardians must submit their W-2 or applicable tax documents for students to be considered for scholarship. Documents should be scanned and included with the completed application. Individuals may choose to mark out personal information (SSN, etc.) before scanning.
Contact the ST.ART team with any questions or concerns about submitting tax documentation–we are happy to help each family navigate the scholarship application.
Studio Camp
- Student and Family Information
What if my parent/guardian is unable (or unwilling) to help with scholarship materials?
Let us know! Contact the ST.ART Pre-College team (summerstart@austin.utexas.edu) if you or your parent/guardian have any issues completing and submitting the required scholarship information. Teachers are also encouraged to contact our team on behalf of a student.
What is the ST.ART Challenge?
A scholarship contest for exceptional artists in grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 (rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors). Submissions are blindly judged by Department of Art & Art History faculty, staff, and students. The ST.ART Challenge offers financial support to students who are eligible for and interested in attending Zip ST.ART or the ST.ART Intensive.
How do I submit to the ST.ART Challenge?
Eligible students must create an original artwork responding to the prompt “summer.”
Eligibility: Current eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh graders.
Submission Requirements:
- Photograph of artwork, title, size, materials used and one sentence describing your submission
- Original artworks should be no smaller than 8 x 10”
- Artworks can include any medium(s) of your choice
Can I apply for scholarship consideration and also submit to the ST.ART Challenge?
Yes! Students may choose to submit materials for scholarship consideration as well as a ST.ART Challenge submission by April 1.
If selected for a ST.ART Challenge Award, students will no longer be eligible for additional scholarship consideration. If a student submits an original artwork for ST.ART Challenge and does not receive an award, the student will still be considered for need-based scholarships.
What if a student applies for scholarship but does not receive funds?
ST.ART will notify all scholarship applicants of financial aid decisions on April 15 (for priority deadline applications) or within two weeks of receiving a student’s required materials. Students who do not receive scholarship but are accepted to the program must choose to accept or reject acceptance to Summer ST.ART by May 1 or in the date specified with your award notification.
Will ST.ART honor the Studio Camp Early Bird discount for priority scholarship applicants that did not receive funding?
Yes. ST.ART will honor the $100 Early Bird discount to Studio Camp scholarships applicants who apply by the April 1 priority deadline and who do not receive financial aid awards.
Is financial aid available for the Educator Retreat?
Yes. ST.ART Pre-College is proud to offer Professional Development Grants for K-12 educators to attend our Educator Retreat. Funding is limited and not guaranteed. Only educators indicating need and submitting required materials will be considered.
What is required to apply for an Educator PD Grant?
Interested and eligible educators should email summerstart@austin.utexas.edu by May 1st and include:
- your resume
- a brief bio introducing yourself
- a brief statement explaining need and how participation in the ST.ART Educator Retreat will support your goals as an educator
- the title of the grant you are applying for
Learn more about ST.ART Educator Grants and eligibility requirements.
Academics & Studio Sessions
Who are the instructors?
Exceptional artists and educators maintaining an art practice and working in the field of art + design.
Are materials & supplies provided?
ST.ART Intensive (four–week)
Accepted students will receive class supply lists in late-May or early-June. Materials for class demos and group projects will be provided. Students will be asked to supply materials for individual or self guided projects and are encouraged to utilize materials of their preference (specific papers, brushes, crayons, etc.).
Zip ST.ART (one–week), Studio Camp (two-weeks), and Educator Retreat (one-week)
All materials will be provided for one-week and two-week programs. Participants are encouraged but not required to bring drawing materials of their preference (specific watercolors, papers, pencils, etc.).
Will students build a portfolio?
Students in all ST.ART Pre-College programs will work to generate new works for their portfolio and skills for developing more intentional works after the program. ST.ART Intensive students will work to complete 2-5 artworks during the program, including a mini-series in their chosen media.
Will students receive feedback on projects?
Yes! Students will receive regular feedback from peers and ST.ART faculty throughout the program.
What happens to unclaimed artwork after the program?
All artwork and personal belongings (supplies, etc.) must be taken by final checkout at 10am on the last day of the program. Unclaimed artwork will only be kept for one week following the program, no exceptions.
Will students be assigned homework?
Yes. All ST.ART Pre-College programs ask that participants work on projects outside of class time. ST.ART Intensive students may also be assigned readings.
Student Life & Housing
What will I do outside of class time?
ST.ART Intensive and Zip ST.ART residential students have activities planned outside of the daily class schedule. Students will have a mix of free time, open studio time, social activities and Austin excursions. Both programs include trips to local museums and activities on UT Austin’s campus.
Where do residential students live?
All residential students will be housed in San Jacinto Residence Hall. Specific residential halls are subject to change without notice due to the needs of UT Austin. Learn more about UT Austin residence halls.
Where do students eat?
ST.ART Pre-College students eat most meals in UT Austin dining halls and at restaurants around Austin. Daily lunch is included for all ST.ART participants.
Does ST.ART offer private housing or rooms for students?
No. Residential students will be paired with a roommate for the duration of the program.
How are roommates assigned?
All residential students will complete a housing survey and roommates will be assigned using responses to lifestyle questions. Students may request specific roommates–only mutual requests will be considered.
Can I request a specific roommate?
Yes. All roommate requests must be mutual.
How are roommates assigned?
All residential students will complete a housing survey and roommates will be assigned using responses to lifestyle questions. Students may request specific roommates–only mutual requests will be considered.
Will ST.ART Intensive & Zip ST.ART students be housed together?
Yes. All ST.ART residential participants will be housed in San Jacinto Residence Hall or another UT Austin dorm. Hallways will be organized by program and gender.
Will residential students have access to laundry facilities?
Yes. Students will have access to dorm laundry facilities during scheduled times. Students must provide their own laundry detergent and supplies.
Are the dorms supervised?
Yes, all dorms and activities are supervised by ST.ART program staff.
For Teachers
Does ST.ART Pre-College offer class visits?
Yes, we’d love to join your class virtually or safely in-person! Contact our team to schedule a visit and discuss your classes needs. Let us lead a sketching session and/or come chat with your class about college and career opportunities in the field of Art + Design! How can we support you and your students?
Where can I find the teacher recommendation form?
Starting in 2021, all recommendations will be submitted electronically. Teachers will receive an email with instructions for completing the recommendation after a student has submitted their Financial Aid application. All recommendations are requested by April 8 or within one-week after the request was received. If you are unable to submit a recommendation by this deadline, please contact the ST.ART team.
Can you recommend any books, artists or projects for my class?
Yes, we’re proud to offer free resources for your classroom! Throughout the year ST.ART Pre-College shares sketching prompts, highlights emerging and established artists and designers, and offers arts-based lesson plans online. Contact the ST.ART team for additional information and resources.
Does ST.ART Pre-College offer professional development programs for teachers?
Yes! Throughout the academic year we offer monthly sketching socials and also collaborate with UT Austin’s Visual Art Center to host free professional development opportunities for all K-12 teachers online and on campus. During the summer months we offer the ST.ART Educator Retreat, a weeklong professional development program for K-12 teachers.
Where do residential teachers stay during the Educator Retreat?
All residential teachers will be housed in a UT Austin dorm and hallways designated for adults. On campus housing includes a private room with a private or shared bath in an adult-only residence hall or floor. Additional details will be shared in May.
