Curriculum Supplements

Required Art History Seminar

How do artists define a city? This course will look at artistic movements in San Francisco,
from Beat poetry to the Mission School, to explore the role of artists and their relation to society throughout our city’s modern history. Through lectures, readings, group discussions, and field trips to world-renowned museums, students will gain an understanding of the connections between art history and their own studio practice.

Required Friday Workshops

Through faculty-led workshops, students will experiment with new mediums, materials, and interdisciplinary methods. These sessions provide structured opportunities for students to work with the broader faculty team and learn about ideas and practices that will enhance their core class work.

Workshops meet Fridays (June 29, July 6, and July 13) from 1:30–4:30 pm. Previous workshops include Cyanotypes, Pinhole Photography, Photoshop for Painters, Stop Motion Animation, Performing Gender in Art, Real Life Comics, and Plaster Casting.

Saturday Portfolio Workshop

This workshop facilitated by SFAI's Admissions Office will assist students in developing a cohesive portfolio. Learn how best to select, document, and represent your artwork, including how to put together a portfolio suitable for admission to college art programs. Following the workshop, students will have the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with an Admissions Counselor to receive individualized feedback.

Evening Studio

Every course in the program will require students to commit time and effort to their creative practice outside class. Students are required to work on their projects on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6–9 pm, during staff-supervised studio hours. Many studios and campus resources will also be accessible to students throughout the week.

Critique Seminar

Critical feedback from peers and faculty plays an integral role in the study of visual arts. This workshop will provide students with tools to describe what they see and strategies to move beyond quick judgments toward deep and meaningful conversations that push artists to grow.

Extracurricular

In addition to arts-based programming, there will be opportunities to connect with classmates and relax at weekly events such as a beach bonfire, a dance party, movie nights, and more.

Final Exhibition

A campus-wide final exhibition allows PreCollege students to show the work they have produced during the program and share their accomplishments with family, friends, and the public. A closing reception will be held on Friday, July 27 from 4:30–7:30 pm.