We hope these FAQs will help you learn more about ST.ART Artist Programs. If you are interested in learning more or have additional questions– email our team or schedule a chat.

Registration

Who is eligible?

ST.ART Intensive (two–weeks)
Any high school student who completes the tenth or eleventh grade this spring and is interested in pursuing Art + Design in college. All applicants must be on track to advance to the eleventh or twelfth grade next fall.  

Current seniors who will graduate this spring and do not intend to enroll in college in the fall are eligible to apply if they intend to enroll in college the following fall. Students will be prompted to briefly explain why they’ve chosen to delay college admission in the application.

Zip ST.ART (one-week)
Any middle or high school student who completes the eighth, ninth, tenth or eleventh grade this spring. All participants must be on track to advance to the ninth, tenth or eleventh grade in the fall. 

Studio Camp (one-week)

Any elementary or middle school student who completes the fifth, sixth, or seventh grade in this spring. All participants must be on track to advance to the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade in the fall.

What is needed to register for the ST.ART Intensive?

The registration asks for:

• Student Information
• Concentration Selection 
• $300 Non-refundable Program Deposit
• Program Forms (due after registration)

What is needed to register for Zip ST.ART?

The registration asks for:

• Student Information
• Studio Session Selections
• $300 Non-refundable Program Deposit
• Program Forms (due after registration)

What is needed to register for Studio Camp?

The registration asks for:

• Student Information
• $150 Non-refundable Program Deposit
• Program Forms (due after registration)

Can I participate in Zip ST.ART and the ST.ART Intensive?

Yes! Eligible students can register for both Zip ST.ART and the ST.ART Intensive during the registration process. Students registering for both programs will receive 10% off program fees. This discount cannot be stacked with other offers.

Do I have to complete the registration in one sitting?

No. Students and families will be able to save their information and return to complete the registration at a later date.

I’ve registered! Now what?

After submitting a ST.ART registration, students or teachers will receive a confirmation email. This email will be sent to the email address used to create the registration.

Once you’ve completed the registration process, you’re all set! Additional program details will be shared in May. All program registrations will remain open until May 15 or until all spaces are taken.

Program Fees

How much is ST.ART Intensive tuition? What does tuition include?

Our two–week program is $3,150 and includes over 55 hours of instruction (with highly-skilled artists and educators), daily lunch (Monday-Friday), museum visits, some supplies and a ST.ART t-shirt. ST.ART Intensive students participate in a final exhibition at the end of the summer.

The optional residential fee is $1,500 and includes shared campus housing and meals (from the first Sunday at 2pm through the final Sunday at 10am), and out of class activities.

How much is Zip ST.ART tuition? What does tuition include?

Our one-week residential program is $1,625 and includes over 30 hours of instruction, most supplies, shared campus housing and meals (from Sunday at 2pm – Saturday at 10am), Austin excursions, and a ST.ART t-shirt.

How much is Studio Camp tuition? What does tuition include?

Our one-week day camp program is $600and includes 16 hours of instruction, all supplies, and a ST.ART t-shirt. The program will be four-days in 2025 due to the July 4th holiday.

The optional Sketching Sessions (early drop-off and late pick-up) are an additional $75 for 4-guided morning sessions or 4-guided afternoon sessions. Students who sign up for both the morning and afternoon sessions receive a $30 discount.

Are program fees refundable? What’s the payment & cancellation policy?

The initial ST.ART program deposit is nonrefundable. Payment plans are available for all ST.ART Artist Programs and all payments must be received within two weeks of a program’s start date.

All fees (less the deposit and a 5% processing fee) will be returned if a registration is canceled before May 15. If a registration is canceled between May 15 and June 1, the program will retain 50% of fees received (less the deposit and a 5% processing fee). ST.ART will retain all fees if a registration is canceled after June 1. If a participant withdraws or is removed after arriving at the program, no fees will be returned.

Financial Aid

Does ST.ART offer scholarships?

Yes! ST.ART Artist Programs are proud to offer financial aid for teens and teachers to attend our summer programs. Scholarships are not guaranteed and only individuals who submit all required materials by the posted deadlines will be considered. No exceptions. 
Learn more about need-based and merit scholarships for teens.

What is the ST.ART Challenge?

A scholarship contest for exceptional artists in grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 (rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors). Submissions are blindly judged by a panel of guest artists and educators. The ST.ART Challenge offers financial support to students who are eligible for and interested in attending Zip ST.ART or the ST.ART Intensive.

How do I submit to the ST.ART Challenge Scholarship Contest?

Eligible students will be prompted to submit an original artwork to the ST.ART Challenge during the registration process. For 2025 and on, there will be no separate ST.ART Challenge Submission Form and all interested students must complete a ST.ART program registration to be considered.  

Eligibility: Current eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh graders.

Submission Requirements:

• ST.ART Intensive or Zip ST.ART program registration
• Original artwork responding to the prompt “summer”
• Photograph of artwork, title, size, materials used and one sentence describing your submission
• Original artworks should be no smaller than 8 x 10”
• Artworks can include any medium(s) of your choice

How do I apply for need-based scholarship consideration?

All interested applicants must submit a ST.ART Financial Aid application to be considered for need-based scholarships during the registration process. For 2025 and on, there will be no separate Financial Aid application and all interested students must complete a ST.ART program registration to be considered.

The priority deadline is March 1 at 11:59pm. After March 1, ST.ART will continue reviewing for need-based scholarships on a rolling-basis until May 15.

The need-based scholarship application asks for:

ST.ART Intensive and Zip ST.ART and Studio Camp

• Student and Family Information
• Parent/Guardian Letter
  This letter should be written by one parent or guardian of the applicant and should express financial need and the potential impact of attending a ST.ART Program for your child. Parent/Guardian letters should be no longer than one-page.
• Tax Info
  Parents and/or guardians must submit their W-2 or applicable tax documents for students to be considered for scholarship. Documents should be scanned and included with the completed application. Individuals may choose to mark out personal information (SSN, etc.) before scanning.
  Contact the ST.ART team with any questions or concerns about submitting tax documentation–we are happy to help each family navigate the scholarship application.

What if my parent/guardian is unable (or unwilling) to help with scholarship materials?

Let us know! Contact the ST.ART Team (info@startartistprograms.org) if you or your parent/guardian have any issues completing and submitting the required scholarship information. Teachers are also encouraged to contact our team on behalf of a student.

Can I apply for need-based scholarship consideration and also submit to the ST.ART Challenge?

Yes! Students may choose to submit materials for need-based scholarship consideration as well as a ST.ART Challenge submission during the program registration process.

If selected for a ST.ART Challenge Award, students will no longer be eligible for additional need-based scholarship consideration. If a student submits an original artwork for ST.ART Challenge and does not receive an award, the student will still be considered for need-based scholarships.

What if a student applies for scholarship but does not receive funds? 

ST.ART will notify all scholarship applicants of financial aid decisions on March 15 (for priority deadline applications) or within two weeks of receiving a student’s required materials. Students who do not receive scholarship but are accepted to the program must choose to accept or reject acceptance to their choice of ST.ART Program by May 1 or in the date specified with your award notification.

Academics & Studio Sessions

Who are the instructors?

Exceptional artists and educators maintaining an art practice and working in the field of art + design. All ST.ART Intensive and Zip ST.ART instructors have served or currently serve as Lectures and Professors at the university level.

Are materials & supplies provided?

ST.ART Intensive (two–week)
Students will receive class supply lists in late-May or early-June.  Materials for class demos and group projects will be provided. Students will be asked to supply materials for individual or self guided projects and are encouraged to utilize materials of their preference (specific papers, brushes, crayons, etc.).  

Zip ST.ART (one–week)
Most materials will be provided for one-week programs and participants may be asked to provide some materials for their studio session. Participants are encouraged but not required to bring drawing materials of their preference (specific watercolors, papers, pencils, etc.).

Studio Camp (one–week day camp)
All materials will be provided for the one-week middle school program. Participants are encouraged but not required to bring drawing materials of their preference (specific watercolors, papers, pencils, etc.).

Will students build a portfolio?  

Students in all ST.ART Artist Programs will work to generate new works for their portfolio and skills for developing more intentional works after the program. ST.ART Intensive students will work to complete 2-3 artworks during the program.

Will students receive feedback on projects?

Yes! Students in all programs will receive regular feedback from peers and ST.ART faculty throughout the program.

What happens to unclaimed artwork after the program?

All artwork and personal belongings (supplies, etc.) must be taken by final checkout at 10am on the last day of the program or as specified in pre-program emails. Unclaimed artwork will only be kept for one week following the program, no exceptions.

Will students be assigned homework?

Yes.  All Zip ST.ART and ST.ART Intensive students will be encouraged to work on projects outside of class time. ST.ART Intensive students may also be assigned readings.

Student Life & Housing

What will I do outside of class time?

ST.ART Intensive and Zip ST.ART residential students have activities planned outside of the daily class schedule. Students will have a mix of free time, open studio time, social activities and Austin excursions. Both programs include trips to local museums and activities on and around St. Edward’s University campus.

Where do residential students live?

All residential students will be housed in a St. Edward’s University residence hall in the heart of Austin’s iconic South Congress neighborhood. Specific residential halls will be shared in May and are subject to change without notice due to the needs of SEU and ST.ART. Learn more about St. Edward’s University residence halls.

Where do students eat?

ST.ART students eat most meals in St. Edward’s University dining halls and at restaurants around Austin. Daily lunch is included for all ST.ART Intensive and Zip ST.ART participants. Studio Camp participants must provide their own daily lunch.

Does ST.ART offer private housing or rooms for students?

No. Residential students will be paired with a roommate for the duration of the program. 

How are roommates assigned?

All residential students will complete a roommate questionnaire and roommates will be assigned using responses to lifestyle questions. Students may request specific roommates–only mutual requests will be considered. Hallways will be organized by gender assigned at birth and supervised by ST.ART staff. 

Can I request a specific roommate?

Yes. Students may request a roommate when completing the roommate questionnaire. Request are due by June 15 and all roommate requests must be mutual.

Will residential students have access to laundry facilities?

Yes. Students will have access to dorm laundry facilities during scheduled times. Students must provide their own laundry detergent and supplies.

Are the dorms supervised?

Yes, all dorms and activities are supervised by ST.ART program staff, including residential staff.

For Teachers

Does ST.ART Artist Programs offer class visits?

Yes, we’d love to join your class virtually or in-person! Contact our team to schedule a visit and discuss your classes needs. Let us lead a sketching session and/or come chat with your class about college and career opportunities in the field of Art + Design! How can we support you and your students?

Can you recommend any books, artists or projects for my class?

Yes, we’re proud to offer free resources for your classroom! Throughout the year ST.ART Artist Programs shares sketching prompts, highlights emerging and established artists and designers, and offers arts-based lesson plans online. Contact the ST.ART team for additional information and resources.

Does ST.ART offer professional development programs for teachers?

Yes! Throughout the academic year we offer free sketching socials and craft custom professional development programs for K-12 school districts and groups online or onsite. Contact the ST.ART Team to get a conversation started about a special program for your team!