Pre College is Currently Full. Waitlist Only
July 11 – July 31, 2021
Pre-College Application Requirements
- Application: Click here to apply
- $40 non-refundable application fee
- Letter of recommendation from an art teacher
- Essay
The essay should be between 300-500 words and answers one of the following questions:
- Why do you want to attend Montserrat’s Pre-College Program?
- Describe your artistic experiences and the challenges that you’ve faced up to this point.
- Who or what has influenced your art?
Deadlines, Tuition & Fees
Payment Deadline: June 16th, 2021
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions, as space remains available
Scholarship Information
Montserrat College of Art’s Pre-College Program offers partial financial assistance for tuition. Scholarships are based on financial need and merit. Please be advised that we receive many applications for financial support, and not all requests can be fulfilled. Submitting an application does not necessarily guarantee a scholarship. You will receive a scholarship notification letter postmarked May 15, 2021.
Scholarship Requirements
To apply for a scholarship to the 2021 Pre-College Program, interested students must complete the application and scholarship requirements by May 7, 2021. Scholarship materials include the following:
- A copy of your parent’s 2020 tax return demonstrating financial need.
- A portfolio of 5 to 10 samples of artwork uploaded to slideroom.
Tuition: $2,750 (includes all studio courses, art supplies, field trips, and activities)
On-campus housing (optional): $750
Total Cost: $3,500
International Applicants
Montserrat accepts international students to the Pre-College Program. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 978.921.4242 x 1153 or email admissions@montserrat.edu for additional information and requirements.
Contact
For questions, please contact the Admissions Office at 978.921.4242 x 1153 or email admissions@montserrat.edu.
Our three week summer residential Pre-College Program (July 11 – July 31, 2021) is designed for high school students 16 years and older, and provides an intensive introduction to the life and expectations at an art college while enhancing their portfolios for art college. Students receive rigorous visual art instruction and time to cultivate their foundation drawing skills, as well as discover new subjects and mediums through our elective offerings.
The Pre-College Program mirrors the personalized scale of our BFA program, affording students small class sizes and individual attention. We invite you to spend your summer immersing yourself in a creative environment with like-minded people. Challenge your assumptions. Take risks. Test your theories. Discover a new favorite artist. Surprise yourself. Grow. Learn. Soak it all in. This is the beginning of a beautiful portfolio!
Enrollment
The Pre-College Program is designed specifically for high school students aged 16 years and older, and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend that you apply as early in the spring as possible to ensure your spot in the program. On average, the Pre-College Program enrolls about 75 rising juniors and seniors in high school from all over the country.
Regulations
As in any community living situation, there are rules and regulations. Montserrat College of Art is substance and alcohol free, and all apartments are smoke free, with no exceptions. Students residing at the college are expected to be reasonable and respectful, keep noise at a low level, and think before acting. The Resident Assistants will review all the rules and regulations with the students on the first day on campus. To be eligible for housing students must be 16 years of age or older. Once a student is registered in the program, an information packet containing the specific rules and regulations as well as what to bring, maps of town and campus, activity and class schedules, and housing assignments are mailed out. We offer campus visits throughout the year; please call for an appointment.
Safety
Montserrat is located in a safe, suburban location one block from downtown. As in all locations, students should exercise common sense and take precautions to ensure safety. The college has 24 hour on campus security. Pre-college staff are on campus from 8:00 am until the 10:00 pm curfew and live only minutes away for evening emergencies. Resident Assistants reside in each apartment with Pre-college students. The Beverly Police Department headquarters is two blocks from our campus and makes regular patrols in our neighborhood. Each student is required to send a copy of their medical insurance prior to the start of the program should a doctor visit or medical emergency arise. Pre-College students use the buddy system, allowing them to explore the town and its environment safely. All students are required to arrive on campus with a cell phone and input Staff and RA cell numbers for safe communication at all times.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Montserrat College of Art is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all applicants, employees and students without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, active military service, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law.
The human resources office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding Montserrat College of Art non-discrimination policies. Inquiries concerning the application of non-discrimination policies may also be referred to:
Regional Director, Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
617.289.0174
Refund Policy
Students wishing to withdraw from the program must contact the Pre-College Admissions office. The $40 application fee is non-refundable. Prior to June 4, 2021 all tuition and housing will be refunded less the $300 deposit. From June 4 to July 11, 50% of the tuition and housing will be refunded, less the deposit. No refunds are available after July 11, 2021. No refund is given to students who are asked to leave the program from violations of school policies or regulations.
Program Cancellation
The College reserves the right to cancel the Pre-College Program for any reason, in which case a full refund of tuition and fees will be issued. Montserrat is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
College Credit
Upon successful completion of all three pre-college courses, students are awarded three college credits, which may be transferable to prospective undergraduate institutions. However, acceptance of the three credits is contingent upon each institution’s policy.
Contact
For questions, please contact the Admissions Office at 978.921.4242 x 1153 or email admissions@montserrat.edu
About
Students in the Pre-College Program are enrolled in three courses, through which they receive 130 hours of instruction and educational activities during the three-week session. Each morning, students take a Foundation course. Students can choose either a Foundation Drawing course or a Foundation Digital & Interactive Media course. Each afternoon, students also select two elective courses from those listed below for their afternoon class. Upon successful completion of all three courses, students are awarded three college credits and receive written evaluations from each course instructor.
Faculty
Pre-College faculty are college instructors and professional artists who teach at Montserrat College of Art or other art schools.
A Typical Day
During each day of the program you will encounter a creative experience through formal teaching methods, admissions portfolio reviews, gallery talks and open studio tours.
Weekdays
9am–12pm: Foundation Class
12pm–1pm: Break
1pm–4pm: Elective Classes
4pm–6pm: Free Time
6pm–10pm: Open Studios/Activities.
10pm: Curfew (be in your apartment, or your R.A. will be looking for you!)
Midnight: Lights Out
Foundation Drawing
Foundation Drawing is a comprehensive course in observational drawing using various media. Concentrating on the formal elements of line, shape, value, texture and (limited) color in images drawn from observation, students focus on figure/ground relationships, relative position and proportion, perspective, and light in relation to volume. Students will participate in class critiques and independent work is assigned. Throughout the course, students engage with compositional issues, historic and contemporary references, and learn to find personal solutions to set problems. Students attend this course five days a week.
Foundation Digital and Interactive Media
In this course, students will explore the fundamentals of digital media in 2, 3, and 4 dimensions. Through a series of projects, students learn programming basics, experiment with 3D scanning + modeling, and develop moving images, resulting in a body of screen-based, analog, and interactive work. Working with a variety of processes and software, students gain experience with the technical, conceptual, and practical elements of computer-based media.
Choose Two Electives:
Painting
Students investigate color theory through studies in various media: the setting up of palettes, mixing mechanics, and prolonged painting while working from direct observation. Subject matter includes still life, interiors, portraiture and landscapes. Critique, research and slide presentations focusing on the relationships between historical and contemporary painting complement the studio work. Demonstrations on safe handling of materials and professional work habits are given.
Three-Dimensional Design
Students are encouraged to develop their creative voices as they explore a number of three-dimensional concepts. Work on modeled and constructed forms, relief, freestanding or kinetic work, and assemblage using an array of materials such as plaster, wire, metal, wood, glass and found objects. Technical and creative processes of sculpture are learned in the studio. Individual students are encouraged to involve performance work, installation pieces, and/or collaborative works of art.
Illustration
This course is designed to give the student an introduction to the illustration industry. A variety of different media are used in order to obtain proficiency in the creation of drawings and paintings for the purpose of communicating. Students explore processes and media associated with the illustration field by applying fine art and design principles. This course encourages students to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills along with their drawing, painting and media skills.
Animation
Students will explore the principles of animation through a variety of projects that allow exploration of dramatic pacing and shot choices, creating a visual dialogue with the audience. Students will investigate the history of animation through drawing exercises, then translate the tradition to digital tools by using techniques such as drawing, collage, stop motion or rotoscoping and incorporate video and sound. Each student will finish the course with a completed short animation.
Graphic Design
Students develop technical skills and become familiar with basic tools and materials of the graphic designer. Through short projects, emphasis is placed on art concept, visual aesthetics, composition, color, craft and how they can be helped through digital mediums and manipulation. Each student will walk away with an understanding in the processes involved in design from the first sketch to final printing and production.
Digital Photography
This course introduces the basic tools, techniques and concepts of photographic media. Students are introduced to a variety of photographic methods for generating and outputting images, with a primary emphasis on lens-based representation and production. Students explore the aesthetic aspects of photography while they complete a series of assignments geared towards developing their technical and conceptual abilities. Issues related to camera vision, representation and picture interpretation are also explored. Each student must arrive equipped with a digital SLR camera with manual features.
Printmaking
Explore the processes of making multiples, including methods of woodcut and etching. Students are encouraged to experiment with contemporary practice while learning traditional methods. Processes covered include direct ink application and registration, and etching plate preparation. These methods are supported by instruction in design, drawing, and color with an emphasis on independent work. Students are introduced to specialized printmaking equipment and presses. Demonstrations on safe handling of materials and studio safety are given.
Digital Illustration
This course focuses on the creation of illustrations using digital media. Students will explore industry standard graphic application and learn to work with digital media as they would traditional art making medias, as a means, not an end, to the creative process. Emphasis will be placed on drawing, painting, design, concept and color theory. Assigned projects will ask students to create pictorial imagery using their digital explorations.
Contact
For questions, please contact the Admissions Office at 978.921.4242 x 1153 or email admissions@montserrat.edu.
Apartment Style Living
Apartment-style accommodations create a true artist-in-residence experience. Pre-College student living accommodations are at the newly constructed Student Village on Montserrat’s campus. Each apartment has a full kitchen, double bedrooms, bathrooms and common living spaces. From the classroom to your living room, you will be exposed to creative conversation, exploration and creation. All college housing is conveniently located within walking distance of Montserrat’s academic and studio facilities.
Montserrat is located in a safe, suburban location one block from downtown Beverly, Massachusetts. The College has 24 hour on-campus security and residential staff. To assist students and ensure that their stay is safe, summer Resident Assistants reside in the apartments.
Health and Nutrition
Maintaining a healthy diet while at Montserrat’s Pre-College Program is a top priority. While we do not offer a catered meal plan, the education experience at pre-college extends beyond the studio and into the kitchen with cooking demonstrations, shared recipes as well as frequent, group meals. Students are also provided weekly transportation to and from the grocery store, and take advantage of the many eateries within easy walking distance of the student village. Many pre-college students and parents reflect that the cooking knowledge their students leave with is an invaluable life skill that further prepares them for entering college.
Recreation
When students aren’t in the studios, they benefit from having the beautiful and walk-able downtown Beverly to explore. Montserrat is merely a five-minute walk to the beach, and has many shops and eateries to visit. Safety is the number one priority, and students use the buddy system while exploring the city. All students are required to arrive on campus with a cell phone. Staff and R.A. cell numbers will be provided for constant communication.
Excursions
In addition to the rigorous studio program, life in the student village, and exploring the city of Beverly, Students go on weekend field trips to take inspiration from one of the Boston area’s world-class art museums or cultural attractions. In past years, we have visited such institutions as the Boston Museum of Fine Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Galleries on Newbury Street, Faneuil Hall, DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.
Contact
For questions, please contact the Admissions Office at 978.921.4242 x 1153 or email admissions@montserrat.edu.
