Herron Pre-College

An intensive studio experience for college-bound artists and designers

Launch your path to a dream career during an intensive, comprehensive exploration of visual art at IUPUI Herron School of Art and Design.

Herron Pre-College is a two-week program that immerses high school juniors and seniors, as well as recent graduates, in a studio environment reflecting Herron's first-year foundation studies experience.

Herron Pre-College 2020

Grades: 11 through 12 (and recent graduates)
Locations: Eskenazi Hall and Eskenazi Fine Arts Center
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Herron's Community Learning Programs cancelled for summer 2020

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Herron will not conduct summer camps in 2020. These decisions are being made to help mitigate and slow the spread of COVID-19 and to help protect IU and the communities it serves.

For the most updated information from IU related to the coronavirus, please visit coronavirus.iu.edu.

Be sure to check back next spring for a full list of 2021 summer camps. Thank you for your understanding.

Curriculum

Each day, students engage in two studio classes and an art history class. Herron faculty members will work closely with you on building your toolkit of strategies and techniques to improve your artistic practice.

You will study contemporary art and art-making through in-class demonstrations, lectures, work sessions, and critiques, as well as gallery and museum visits. Continue refining your art while working independently in an assigned studio space.

Class projects may include:

  • Investigating visual storytelling through alternative comics and graphic novels.
  • Designing 2-D and 3-D creations inspired by steam punk.
  • Exploring game theory and development techniques to create basic games. 
  • Studying art history first-hand in Herron's galleries and local museums.
  • Experimenting with nontraditional drawing and animation techniques and tools.
  • Developing objects with laser engravers, 3-D printers, plasma cutters, and more.
  • Learning paper-making and bookbinding techniques to create unique artists' books.
  • Exploring the concept of narrative identity to illustrate slice-of-life stories.
Sophia DeFelice, House on a Cliff, 2018. Mixed media on paper, 24 x 18 in. Sydney Craig

Exhibit culminating artworks

Learn curatorial practices from Herron faculty and staff while installing a culminating Herron Pre-College exhibition. Invite family and friends to see your portfolio-ready work at the closing reception.

On-campus housing and security

We now offer overnight housing for Herron Pre-College participants to experience life as a student while staying in North Hall, IUPUI's newest residential facility, which is monitored by the Indiana University Police Department and supervised by IUPUI Resident Assistants. Spaces are limited and based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Whether staying overnight or commuting from home, participants are assigned a designated supervisor from Herron's Community Learning Programs during their on-campus stay.

Students staying overnight can independently continue their studies, enjoy downtime on campus, and explore the city during the weekend.

Application requirements

Herron Pre-College applicants are required to complete an online application, pay a $25 application fee, and submit a digital portfolio. The application includes a few short-answer questions and an essay, which should describe why you're interested in the program and what you're hoping to achieve by attending.

Send a single PDF file including images of your 10 strongest works, as well as titles, mediums, and dimensions, to sschool@iupui.edu.

Click here for a tutorial video and tips on preparing a portfolio.

Tuition and fees

Tuition (supplies included): $850
Application fee: $25
Parking permit (optional): $17.50
Housing (optional): $400

Applicants to Herron Pre-College must submit a $25 fee upon submission of their application. The nonrefundable fee will be applied towards the student's tuition upon acceptance into the program.

A $400 enrollment deposit is required by June 1 to secure the accepted student's place. The balance is due on June 12.

Meals are not provided. Students can bring meals or dine at campus eateries.

Valid IUPUI parking permits are required for students driving to Herron Pre-College sessions. On the first day, student drivers may secure a two-week permit from IUPUI Parking and Transportation Services for a fee of $17.50. Vehicles without permits are required to pay daily rates for visitor parking.

Financial assistance is available for qualifying families.

Siblings and IUPUI employees receive a 10% tuition discount. Contact sschool@iupui.edu for the discount code.

Frequently asked questions

Applications for the Herron Pre-College program are accepted on a rolling basis from January 1 through June 1.

You will receive notice of an admission decision from Herron's Community Learning Programs within three weeks of submitting your application and portfolio.

The Herron Pre-College program comprises non-credit courses and serves to develop beginning and intermediate technical skill sets, creative thinking, and general readiness for undergraduate studies and a career in art and design.

Yes, on-campus housing is available in North Hall. Contact sschool@iupui.edu for more information.

Yes, scholarship funding is available and awarded based on financial need. A separate application is required for scholarship consideration.