235 high school students from across the world have moved into a residence hall at Ringling College of Art and Design to participate in a four-week immersive PreCollege program.
From June 19-July 16, the group of 16- to 18-year-olds, who hail from 37 states and 11 countries, will experience the award-winning education that Ringling College is known for. This year’s in-person event follows two years of an exclusively online experience due to COVID-19. Attendance is at an all-time high, up 12.5% over 2019 when it was last held in person.
Each morning students will learn the fundamentals of art and design through hands-on instruction in a series of core classes. Each afternoon, they’ll spend time in major-focused immersions specific to their interests, followed by dinner and open studio time. Studio time allows students to experiment and further develop their artistic practice and strengthen their portfolios for college admissions and scholarships.
“PreCollege is one of the most amazing experiences a young artist can have. After four weeks here, you’ll be a better artist, but more importantly, PreCollege will help you figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life,” said Ringling College President Dr. Larry R. Thompson.
Some immersion classes include trips to local attractions, including Sarasota Jungle Gardens and Mote Marine Laboratory, where students will look at how the majors they are studying come to life through curated experiences, animation, and virtual reality, for example.
All of the courses are taught by Ringling’s award-winning faculty and each first-time student who successfully completes the program will receive three college credits.
On evenings and weekends, students are encouraged to participate in a variety of on- and off-campus excursions led by the College’s Student Life team, including social groups, e-tournaments, fitness activities, and community service projects.
PreCollege will wrap up with closing exhibitions on July 15 from 3:30-5 pm, followed by a family picnic from 4:30-6 pm. The closing ceremony will take place on July 16. For more information about how to apply for the 2023 program, visit the website.