Summer brings teens, teachers, and dancers to campus

In mid-May, students moved out of Barbara Marshall Residence Hall (BMRH), the studios were packed up and cleaned, and life on campus slowed down.

Not for long! Over the summer, a record-breaking number of high school students and arts educators from around the country will be on campus making art, living in the residence hall, and learning about life at KCAI.

Art teachers settle into BMRH July 10-15 forEducators Art Lab (EAL). More than 60 educators will explore advanced studies in ceramics, printmaking, illustration, and painting and experience Kansas City on tours of the Nelson-Atkins Museum and the Crossroads Arts District.

"EAL offers art educators an unique opportunity to make art, network with their peers, and learn new skills to take back to their classroom. They leave the program with in-depth insight into KCAI, which they can share with their students back home," said Darcy Deal, Director of Admissions.

A record-breaking 180 high school students will enhance their creative skills and experience college life when they attend Pre College Art Lab (PCAL) July 17-29. They'll live in the residence hall for two weeks while they study life drawing and a major studio practice - sculpture, animation, illustration or painting. On the weekends they take workshops exploring a variety of disciplines and check out the local arts scene. Students successfully completing PCAL are offered a $1,500 scholarship to KCAI, which is in addition to any financial aid or additional scholarships they may receive.

"PCAL is an important way to expose young artists to creative energy at KCAI and boost future admissions. Thirty percent of the students who attend PCAL go on to enroll in the college and pursue their BFA," said Darcy Deal, Director of Admissions.

KCAI also partners yearly with local organizations on summer programs. Dancers ages 12 -22 from Kansas City Ballet's Summer Intensive Program will stay in BMRH June 26 - July 23 while attending classes at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. In June, we welcome back Lyrik's Institutionfor a four-weekSummer in the City program for inner city teens. Lyrik's is a non-profit committed to reducing crime and violence. The teens spend the morning in behavior modification programming and the afternoon exploring the creative arts.

KCAI Gallery and H&R Block Artspace both have summer exhibitions. Site 3 at Artspace, the third iteration of the "Site" series of nomadic projects, will invite Kansas City-based artists to create new works. Drop in Café Nerman for a signature cup of KCAI blend coffee from the Roasterie and stop by the Art Supply Store for your art supplies or pick up some KCAI merchandise.