California State Summer School for the Arts

The application period has closed. Admissions and financial aid decisions will be released at the end of April.

Equipping students with the tools to articulate their unique cinematic voice. Participants will delve into a carefully curated selection of auteur films and benefit from masterclasses led by renowned industry professionals. This intensive program is designed for ambitious, self-motivated students eager to push creative boundaries while honing their critical and artistic perspectives.

Dedicated to helping students meet the challenges of contemporary art making through assigned lessons that address critical thinking and problem-solving, the consideration of historical parallels, and the application of rigorous studio art practices.

Offers an exciting pre-professional, collegiate-level Dance Program designed for students interested in pursuing a college degree or a professional career in dance. All applicants should have a minimum of two years of technical training in ballet, contemporary, or modern dance.

Every summer the California State Summer School for the Arts welcomes 70 to 80 music students for exploration in the performing arts. These students come to CSSSA from all over California to develop their skills at the highest level.

Offers personalized and interactive workshops for approximately seventy talented and motivated young writers. A faculty of professional writers and educators guide and instruct students in the techniques of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and dramatic writing.

Provides students with a unique opportunity to experience a broad range of possibilities within the world of animation. From fine art to digital animation, this program encourages students to explore their potentials, and bring movement to their artwork through an intense and rigorous curriculum.

Introduces students to the relationship between the built environment, ecology, and human wellbeing. Through hands-on design projects, students explore how architecture can respond to climate, landscape, resource use, and community needs in thoughtful and responsible ways.

The CSSSA Writing Program offers personalized and interactive workshops for approximately seventy talented and motivated young writers. A faculty of professional writers and educators guide and instruct students in the techniques of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and dramatic writing.

The Visual Arts Program is dedicated to helping students meet the challenges of contemporary art making through assigned lessons that address critical thinking and problem-solving, the consideration of historical parallels, and the application of rigorous studio art practices. All students are assigned studio classes, based on the first and second choice interests they indicate on their application forms.

The Theatre program at the California State Summer School for the Arts offers intensive and challenging theater training for students who are serious about exploring the craft of acting and the possibilities of entertainment and storytelling in a rapidly changing artistic landscape. Students will be working with professionals from all corners of the industry.

Every summer the California State Summer School for the Arts welcomes 70 to 80 music students for exploration in the performing arts. These students come to CSSSA from all over California to develop their skills at the highest level.

The CSSSA Film Program embraces an auteur-driven philosophy, equipping students with the tools to articulate their unique cinematic voice. Participants will delve into a carefully curated selection of auteur films and benefit from masterclasses led by renowned industry professionals.

CSSSA offers an exciting pre-professional, collegiate-level Dance Program designed for students interested in pursuing a college degree or a professional career in dance. All applicants should have a minimum of two years of technical training in ballet, contemporary, or modern dance.

CSSSA is pleased to announce a new discipline in Architecture and Environmental Design (AED). The Architecture and Environmental Design discipline introduces students to the relationship between the built environment, ecology, and human wellbeing.

The Animation Program provides students with a unique opportunity to experience a broad range of possibilities within the world of animation. From fine art to digital animation, this program encourages students to explore their potentials, and bring movement to their artwork through an intense and rigorous curriculum.