ICP Teen Academy welcomes teenagers ages 14–19 from across the United States and around the world to develop their skills as visual storytellers and changemakers in a range of online and in-person courses. The program is designed to cultivate visual literacy, personal vision, and leadership skills through courses focused on the techniques and histories of photography and visual culture.
Check out our students’ work here!
Seasonal Courses
Teen Academy offers quarterly courses across genres and techniques for every level student. All curricula include: photographic and writing assignments, open lab time, visual presentations, discussions, critiques, guest artist visits, field trips, and a culminating presentation for family and friends celebrating the students’ achievements.
Summer 2023 Courses
- Summertime Stories: Principles of Digital Imagemaking and Visual Storytelling, Ben Russell, Monday – Friday, July 17 – 21, 11 AM – 4 PM [IN-PERSON]
- Summertime Stories: Principles of Digital Imagemaking and Visual Storytelling, Curtis Willocks, Monday – Friday, July 24 – 28, 11 AM – 4 PM [IN-PERSON]
- Summertime Stories: Principles of Digital Imagemaking and Visual Storytelling, Anthoula Lelekidis, Monday – Friday, July 31 – August 4, 11 AM – 4 PM [IN-PERSON]
- Summertime Stories: Principles of Digital Imagemaking and Visual Storytelling, Lesly Deschler Canossi, Monday – Friday, August 7 – 11, 11 AM – 4 PM [IN-PERSON]
Register for Teen Academy Courses
Imagemakers
Teen Academy Imagemakers enables motivated high school juniors, seniors, and gap year students to advance their photography, writing, and public speaking skills while developing an awareness of the creative and professional possibilities in the field. This weekly in-person program, which runs from October to June, provides teen photographers with guidance from renowned teaching artists, virtual visits to museums, galleries, and studios, college-prep workshops, pre-professional assignments, mentorship opportunities, and a unique community of their peers. This program is designed for students who are passionate about photography and visual culture as mediums of empowerment and social change. By the end of the year, students will create an extensive portfolio, including an artist’s statement and CV. A selection of their best work is featured in a culminating showcase on ICP’s website.
See past Teen Academy Imagemakers’ work here. This program is currently in session. Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year will open in May. Please check back soon!
Scholarships
Teen Academy is committed to making photography education accessible to all young people, regardless of their economic resources. Need-based scholarships are available to teens before the start of each term.
If you would like to be considered for a scholarship in an upcoming course, please complete an application. Scholarship applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
Special Thanks
Teen Academy is made possible with generous support from Luana Alesio, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Richard & Jean Coyne Family Foundation, Susan and Thomas Dunn, Eye Contact Foundation, William Talbott Hillman Foundation, Keith Haring Foundation, Houston Family Foundation, Joy of Giving Something, Inc., Stuart Z. Katz and Jane D. Martin, Philip and Edith Leonian Foundation, The New York Community Trust, Monika and Deven Parekh, May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, and Lois and Bruce Zenkel.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
