Youth can channel creativity, explore artistic potential at DCAD this summer

Olivia Kwiatkowski of Smyrna will always remember the week she spent in Delaware College of Art and Design’s Pre-College Program the summer before her senior year at Caravel Academy. After all, it’s hard to forget something that changed your life.

“One week,” she says, “showed me the potential I had.”

Olivia went on to enroll at DCAD as an undergraduate the following year and complete her associate’s degree in graphic design at the College in 2017. She performed outstandingly in her studies, completed two paid professional internships and represented her class as valedictorian before transferring to Pratt Institute in New York to pursue her bachelor’s degree.

Olivia had attended DCAD’s 2014 Pre-College session with a goal of creating high-quality work that would strengthen the portfolio she would submit as part of her college applications and to get a taste of college life, both inside and outside the studio. Other students have attended over the years not because they plan to pursue art or design as a profession, but because creating is the extracurricular activity they’re most enthusiastic about. Still others have come to try their hand at art or design while having some summer fun.

To serve more of these young people – no matter which category they fall into – DCAD is adding two additional Pre-College sessions, all of which will now serve rising high school sophomores along with rising high school juniors and seniors. The College also is launching a summer camp schedule for youths aged 13 (seventh grade) through 15 (ninth grade) for the first time.

DCAD Summer Camp will take place in June and offer activities around a different theme each week: June 11 to 15, “Tour de Art,” will focus on art appreciation; June 18 to 22, “Up, Up and Away,” will focus on animation; and June 25 to 29, “Print It,” will focus on printmaking. Campers can attend one, two or all three weeks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and before-care (8:30 to 9 a.m.) and after-care (3 to 5 p.m.) are available. Campers must bring their own lunch each day. Cost for DCAD Summer Camp is $250 per week. The before-care/after-care fee is $50. Enrollment deadline is June 1.

DCAD Pre-College weeks are scheduled July 9 to 13, July 16 to 20 and July 23 to 27 and offer foundation courses and specializations in animation, fine arts, graphic design, illustration or photography, with different classes available each week. Pre-College classes run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and students may enroll for one, two or all three weeks on a day (commuting) or residential (sleepover) basis. Enrollees also may choose to earn college credit for the work they complete. Lunches and afternoon snacks are included for all students, and resident students also have breakfasts and dinners included. Field trips will enrich the in-class experiences. Cost for DCAD Pre-College varies, depending on residency selection and number of weeks selected, ranging from $650 to $2,425. Those enrolling for two weeks of Pre-College will receive a discount of 10 percent. Those enrolling for all three weeks of Pre-College will receive a discount of 15 percent. Scholarships to Pre-College may be awarded to qualified students who apply by the April 30 deadline. Enrollment deadline is June 15.

For more information or to enroll, visit www.dcad.edu, select “community programs” and then select “young artist programs”; call 302-622-8000, ext. 123; or email rreed@dcad.edu.