Summer Courses
Spend your summer immersed in the arts at Columbia University in New York City. The School of the Arts offers a range of in-person courses designed for students of all backgrounds and experience levels. Courses are taught by distinguished faculty and guest artists who are active leaders in their fields, offering an immersive introduction to creative practice across disciplines.
- Small class settings
- Individualized feedback
- Direct engagement with working artists
- Optional events, performances, and excursions throughout the city.
Visiting students as well as current Columbia students can study in the arts this summer. The application process is simple, and most courses do not require a prior degree.
All Summer 2026 courses are scheduled to be in-person.
Columbia students do not need to apply, but they do need to register. All visiting students will need to apply to the School of Professional Studies and register upon acceptance.
Learn more about the Living Learning Community for Arts in the Summer students. Come live in NYC, find community, special extracurriculars, and more.
Join our mailing list for updates. The site is updated regularly as courses and instructors are confirmed.
FULL SUMMER TERM: May 25–August 14, 2026
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Summer 2026 Deadlines for Visiting Students
Summer Success Series | Videos to Help You Prepare
Information Sessions
Summer 2026 Course Information
Course offerings are subject to change. Please check back for regular updates as courses and instructors are confirmed.
Contemporary Global Documentary
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Joshua Glick
Day & Time: MW 1–4:10 PM
Narrative Design for Video Games and Interactive Experiences
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Barrie Adleberg
Day & Time: TTh 10 AM–1:10 PM
Hollywood in China
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Ying Zhu
Day & Time: TTh 2–5:10 PM
Video Games and Film
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Nick Braccia
Day & Time: MW 2–5 PM
Superhero Movies and New York
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Intructor: Fareed Ben-Youssef
Day & Time: TTh 1–4:10 PM
Film Criticism and Story Development
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Kevin Lee
Day & Time: TTh 2–5 PM
Intro to TV Writing - Pilot
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2025
Instructor: Matt Fennell
Day & Time: TTh 2–5 PM
Producing the Low-Budget Film
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Valerie Martinez
Day & Time: TTh 10 AM–1 PM
Screenwriting I : Introduction
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Loren-Paul Caplin
Day & Time: TTh 10 AM–1 PM
Developing the Low-Budget Film
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Nina Cochran
Day & Time: TTh 10 AM–1 PM
TV Pilot Revision
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2025
Instructor: Stephen Molton
Day & Time: MW 10 AM–1 PM
This course has been cancelled for the Summer 2026 term.
Introduction to Moment Work
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: NJ Agwuna with Moises Kaufman/Tectonic Theatre
Day & Time: MW 1–4:10 PM
This course has been cancelled for the Summer 2026 term.
Dramaturgy and Moment Work: Stranger than Fiction
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Leigh Fondakowski with Moises Kaufman/Tectonic Theatre
Day & Time: TTh 1–4:10 PM
This course has been cancelled for the Summer 2026 term.
New York Theatre Event
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Christopher Burney
Day & Time: MW 6–9:10 PM
Advanced Painting Intensive
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructors: Naomi Safron-Hon, Dana Lok, Matthew Deleget, Jasmine Wahi, Monique Long, Kenny Rivero, Baseera Khan
Day & Time: MTWThF 10 AM–6 PM
Basic Drawing
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Arel Lisette
Day & Time: TWTh 5:30–8:30 PM
Intro to Darkroom Photography
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Alex McTigue
Day & Time: TTh 1–3:30 PM
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: João Pina
Day & Time: MW 4:30–6:30 PM
PhotoBook History
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Deirdre Donohue
Day & Time: MW 1–3:30PM
Intro to Digital Photography
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Karen Dias
Day & Time: MW 1–3:30 PM
Printmaking: Silkscreen
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Jeannie Rhyu
Day & Time: TTh 6:15-9:25 PM
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Alejandro Valencia
Day & Time: MW 6:15–9:25 PM
Painting I
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Sarah Huffard
Day & Time: TWTh 5:30–8:30 PM
Photo Exhibitions
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Benjamin Salesse
Day & Time: TTh 1–3:30 PM
How to Write Funny
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Patricia Marx
Day & Time: MW 1:30–4:40 PM
Nonfiction Workshop
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Matty Davis
Day & Time: TTh 10 AM–1:10 PM
This course has been cancelled for the Summer 2026 term.
Travel Writing
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Porter Fox
Day & Time: MW 5:30–8:40 PM
Writing New York
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Deborah Paredez
Day & Time: MW 10 AM –1:10 PM
Writing the YA Novel
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Emily Austin
Day & Time: TTh 10 AM–1:10 PM
This course has been cancelled for the Summer 2026 term.
Fiction Workshop
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Erroll McDonald
Day & Time: TTh 5:30–8:30 PM
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Molly McGhee
Day & Time: TTh 1:30–4:40 PM
Poetry Workshop
SESSION A: May 25–July 3, 2026
Instructor: Timothy Donnelly
Day & Time: TTh 5:30–8:40 PM
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Dorothea Lasky
Day & Time: TTh 5:30–8:40 PM
Writing About Art
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Thom Donovan
Day & Time: TTh 1:30–4:40 PM
Writing Children’s Books
SESSION B: July 6–August 14, 2026
Instructor: Peter Catalanotto
Day & Time: TTh 10 AM–1:10 PM