New York Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA)

# New York Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) The New York Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) is one of the most exceptional and underrecognized summer arts programs in the United States: a **fully tuition-free** residential arts training program funded by the New York State Education Department and open to high school students from across New York State. NYSSSA provides professional-level arts training across six schools, each hosted at a college campus in New York. ## Why NYSSSA Is Extraordinary NYSSSA is the only state-funded arts conservatory program in New York—modeled after Governor's Schools in other states, but focused exclusively on the arts. The program draws from New York's incredible artistic community, bringing Broadway directors, professional dancers, published poets, and working visual artists to teach high school students over a three-week residential intensive. Most importantly: **it's completely free for admitted students**. New York State covers tuition, room, and board. Families pay only for transportation to and from the program. ## The Six Schools NYSSSA operates six specialized programs, each at a different SUNY campus: **School of Choral Studies** — Fredonia, NY Intensive choral performance and sight-reading for vocalists with strong choral backgrounds. **School of Dance** — Purchase, NY (SUNY Purchase) Ballet, modern, and contemporary dance training; open to dancers with serious prior training. **School of Drama** — Fredonia, NY Acting, voice, movement, and classical and contemporary scene study. **School of Film** — Purchase, NY Screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing; students complete short films. **School of Media Arts** — Purchase, NY Digital animation, graphic design, photography, and media production. **School of Orchestral Studies** — Fredonia, NY Orchestral performance for instrumentalists, including full ensemble rehearsals and concerts. ## Program Intensity Each school runs for three weeks (typically late June to mid-July). Students are immersed in their art form from morning through evening—daily technique classes, rehearsals or studio sessions, and evening performances or critiques. Participants work directly alongside faculty who are active professionals in their fields. ## Eligibility NYSSSA is open to **current New York State high school students** (rising 10th–12th graders). Students from public, private, and charter schools all qualify. Admission is audition-based for performance schools and portfolio-based for visual arts and film programs. ## Application Process Applications open in **January** and close in **March**. Each school has its own audition or submission requirements: - Performing arts: live or video audition - Film/Media Arts: portfolio or written submission - All schools: brief artist statement and school recommendation Admission is selective—each school accepts a small cohort—but the state's goal is geographic diversity, so students from all regions of New York are actively recruited. ## College Application Impact NYSSSA is extremely well regarded among arts college admissions readers, particularly at schools like NYU Tisch, Juilliard, SUNY Purchase, and Emerson. Completing NYSSSA signals serious commitment, professional-level study, and state-recognized artistic excellence. For New York students pursuing arts majors, this is one of the highest-impact summer programs available—and the fact that it's free makes it uniquely accessible. If you're a New York State student serious about the arts, NYSSSA should be at the top of your summer program list.