ECP Painting Class

Earn College Credit

For each week students attend the Early College Program Summer Institute, they earn a college credit. These credits are accepted by most accredited institutions in the United States and abroad. 

Prepare Your Portfolio

Guided by our faculty of professional artists, students develop a body of work that will give them a competitive advantage in their applications for higher education programs in art and design. 

A small group of students looking at art in The Art Institute of Chicago museum.

Live and Work in Chicago

Simply put, Chicago in the summer is sublime. Students have the immense privilege of having open access to the Museum of the Art Institute where they can see firsthand the evolution of creative thought and execution over centuries and across the globe. 

Summer 2025 Sessions

*Includes $100 nonrefundable tuition deposit. Supply costs and incidentals are projected and will vary for each student determined in part by individual projects, material choices, and personal spending.

Classes are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

    • Course dates: Monday, June 16–Friday, June 27
    • Move-in: Sunday, June 15 at 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    • Exhibition: Friday, June 27 at 2:00 p.m.
    • Move-out: Saturday, June 28 by 12:00 p.m. 
    • Tuition: $3,696*—two college credits
    • Housing & Meals: $1,260
    • Incidentals: Approx. $200
    • Supplies: Approx. $300 

    • Course dates: Monday, July 7–Friday, July 18
    • Move-in: Sunday, July 6 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    • Exhibition: Friday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m.
    • Move-out: Saturday, July 19 by 12:00 p.m. 
    • Tuition: $3,696*—two college credits
    • Housing & Meals: $1,260
    • Incidentals: Approx. $200
    • Supplies: Approx. $300 

    • Course dates: Monday, July 21–Friday, August 1
    • Move-in: Sunday, July 20 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    • Exhibition: Friday, August 1 at 2:00 p.m.
    • Move-out: Saturday, August 2 by 12:00 p.m. 
    • Tuition: $3,696*—two college credits
    • Housing & Meals: $1,260
    • Incidentals: Approx. $200
    • Supplies: Approx. $300 

    • Course dates: Monday, July 7–Friday, August 1
    • Move-in: Sunday, July 6 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    • Exhibition: Friday, August 1, at 2:00 p.m.
    • Move-out: Saturday, August 2 by 12:00 p.m. 
    • Tuition: $7,392—four college credits
    • Housing & Meals: $2,520
    • Incidentals: Approx. $350
    • Supplies: Approx. $450 

    • Course dates: Monday, August 4–Friday, August 8, 2025

    • Move-in: Sunday, August 3 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

    • Exhibition: August 8, at 3:00-4:00 p.m.

    • Move-out: Saturday, August 9 by 12:00 p.m.

    • Tuition: $1,848*—one college credit

    • Housing & Meals: $630

    • Incidentals: Approx. $100

    • Supplies: Approx. $150 

We want our students to be able to master not just one medium, but to have the freedom to move and explore throughout different disciplines; to experiment; to take risks; to find the right solution for each individual problem. Our interdisciplinary philosophy, accomplished by excellent, enthusiastic faculty, one of the largest collections of art in the world, and one of the most exciting cities in the country, make SAIC the whole package.

—Rafael Vera, ECPSI instructor

Intense. Rigorous. Life Changing.


Enroll in the Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI) for ages 15–18 at the nation's most influential art and design school!

Students must have completed their sophomore year of high school by the time of the program.

Contact Us

Continuing Studies staff members are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CT at 312.629.6170 or cs@saic.edu to answer your questions. We are here to help!