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Emily Carr University’s Teen Programs Build Colourful Connections

Taught by pro artists, the Summer Institute for Teens is an intensive pre-university program that includes studio practice.

Emily Carr University 25 Oct 2021TheTyee.ca

Nearly two years into a global pandemic, teens still enrolled in high school are showing remarkable resilience and determination to connect and succeed.

This summer marked the second Summer Institute for Teens held online by Emily Carr University of Art + Design. The program brought together over 130 talented young artists and designers from around the world.

Creating studio spaces from bedrooms and kitchen tables, they successfully completed four weeks of intensive studio work, developing meaningful connections with their peers and instructors through cross-studio visits, classroom discussions and collaborative projects.

“In 2020, youth around the world suddenly lost access to key physical spaces where they could connect with each other,” says Maria Cecilia Saba, manager of youth and community programs at Emily Carr.

“As we were pivoting our summer intensives to online learning platforms, we made it our goal to create opportunities for students to develop communities where they could foster meaningful connections, engage their creativity, learn new skills and express themselves. We were very impressed by their energy, passion and determination, which resulted in the exciting and authentic works created during their time in our program.”

Students have the opportunity to gain critiques, build a portfolio for application to post-secondary, and experience showing their final works during the end-of-program exhibition. Due to the programs shifting online with COVID-19, recent exhibitions are archived online.

851px version of Constructed chair and furniture
Industrial design students crafted functional chairs from cardboard. Sequence of events for cardboard chair making / Carrera Chair. Paloma D. Image via Emily Carr.

For students wondering if they’re ready for the Summer Institute for Teens, the Spring Break Art Camp is a great opportunity to prepare.

The program launched in 2021 and allows students to explore popular studio practices in art and design through hands-on courses taught by experienced instructors. With a focus on foundational skills and creative processes, these courses are designed to engage students aged 15 to 18 across all levels of experience.

Teen programs at Emily Carr University fill up fast! Subscribe to their newsletter to be the first to know about new programs and registration dates.  [Tyee]

Read more: Education, Art

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