General

Course Levels

The Academy is divided into three age groups by traditional school grade level. Students should select the appropriate course by referring to the grade levels below as a guide. Some courses may combine levels.

• Senior Level students in grades 10, 11, or 12 should register for senior level courses.
• Junior Level students in grades 7, 8, or 9 should register for junior level courses.
• Elementary Level students in grades 4, 5, or 6 should register for the elementary level course.

Supplies

Required art supplies will vary in each class. Supply lists will be distributed on the first day of class. Below please find a list of local art supplies stores that carry required materials:
Utrecht, 111 Fourth Avenue, between 11th and 12th Streets
Pearl Paint, 308 Canal Street
The Art Store, 1-5 Bond Street between Lafayette and Broadway
New York Central Art Supply, 62 Third Avenue

Models

In art schools, nude models are traditionally used in drawing classes. Senior level Parsons Pre-College Academy classes will use nude models. Junior and elementary level Parsons Pre-College Academy classes will use clothed models.

Out of Class Assignments

Portfolio Development

College Admissions

Students entering twelfth grade who are seeking guidance in building a portfolio for college admission should enroll in portfolio development. This course provides a range of challenging assignments, critiques and advice. Students explore what constitutes portfolio quality work and focus on presentation.

The Office of Admissions at Parsons offer information sessions and tours throughout the year Monday - Wednesday and Friday at 10am and 2pm. To schedule a tour visit: here.

High School Admissions

It is recommended that junior level students seeking guidance in building a portfolio for selective high school admission enroll in drawing or painting.

Free and Special Events

Open House

Join us for an information session about spring pre-college programs at Parsons on Saturday, September 12 at 11am in Kellen Auditorium, 66 5th Ave, ground floor.

Please be aware that registration begins in December and some classes might fill up before the open house. You can always contact Parsons SPACE with questions regarding the program at 212.229.8933.

Exhibition of Student Work

Join us for an open-studio exhibition of Parsons Pre-College Academy student work on December 19 from noon to 12:50pm at 2 West 13th Street.

Prospective students, parents, teachers, and friends are invited to attend this exhibition.

Upcoming Free and Special Events

Throughout the year, Parsons Pre-College Academy offers a series of free and special events that highlight innovative design ideas. These events are open to elementary, junior, and senior level students interested in learning more about design. Events are publicized by email. If you would like to be added to the email list, kindly send your contact information to academy@newschool.edu

Scholarships

Parsons maintains multiple long- and short- term scholarships programs for New York City public school students including:

Parsons Scholars Program: The Parsons Scholars Program is a three-year program for low-income New York City public school sophomores. Through this program, scholars are exposed to the rigors of studying design on the college level and career choices in the field of design; scholars develop the skills necessary to gain access to higher education in art and design. During their time at Parsons, scholars attend classes in the Summer Intensive Studies and Parsons Pre-College Academy. Additional programming and support complements their academic work. The Parsons Scholars Program is funded by the Surdna Foundation and the New York Community Trust.

Lawrence Scholars Program: Parsons is pleased to be a recipient of funding from the Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation to establish the Lawrence Scholars Program, a rigorous, year-round, sequential program that expands and enriches the studio art skills as well as the academic, professional, and social support network of a talented pool of low-income high school sophomores from the Harlem. Jacob Lawrence’s artistic development serves as an inspiring model for this program. As a young person, Lawrence absorbed the visual texture of his Harlem neighborhood through services at Abyssinian Baptist Church, classes at Utopia Children’s House and the resulting mentor-student relationship formed with Charles Alston. Encouraged to utilize the resources of New York City, Lawrence traveled to the Museum of Modern Art to see the African Negro Art exhibition and the Schomburg collection at the New York Public Library. The impact of these places and resources are evident in the themes of Lawrence’s work; the Lawrence Scholars will benefit from similar experiences and resources and the tangible influence of Lawrence’s legacy.
Apply for the Lawrence Scholarship

Portfolio Preparation Scholars Program: Through this one-year program, high school juniors with an established interest in attending a college of art and design, but lacking the requisite drawing skills to gain access are assisted in meeting their goals. Rigorous coursework in drawing and painting leads to the development of exceptional portfolios. Apply for the Portfolio Preparation Scholars Program

Through scholarships and free events, we strive to make the physical and human resources of Parsons accessible to a diverse student body. All scholarship information is distributed through a network of school and non-profit organization contacts. If your child is interested in a scholarship, please ask his/her school or non-profit for the name of their contact person. If the school does not have an established contact, please ask the school to contact Parsons SPACE at academy@newschool.edu or 212.229.8933.

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