Special Programs

Tisch Summer High School Animation Workshop

What can you do in four weeks? Learn the foundational skills used by today’s professional animators and bring your creative ideas to life with Tisch’s state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.  

Program Overview

The curriculum for the Summer Animators Workshop for High School students, offered through the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, introduces students to the undergraduate degree program. It combines intensive professional training with a comprehensive understanding of the techniques and principles behind the art of Animation. Prior Animation experience is not required. 

Note: The students in the Summer Animators Workshop will be in classes and workshops Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., including academic classes, professional training, and production/post production time.

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Photo by Sonya Artis

Core Curriculum

You will enroll in the following course for a total of 4 units.

Animation Workshop

Course Number FMTV-UT 1133 | 4 units

This workshop introduces high school students to the principles and techniques of Animation through lectures, critiques, hands-on collaborative and solo assignments, as well as guest speakers and field trips. Students will explore various methods of animation including stop motion, traditional drawing, pixilation, and digital animation and will be introduced to computer programs including Dragonframe, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. Students will develop Drawing, Computer, Animation, Performance, and Storytelling skills to make their unique ideas come to life. All of this will culminate in making a final animated film to be presented at the end of the workshop. Prior animation and drawing experience is not required.

Summer Animators Workshop Sample Schedule

Classes take place Monday - Friday. Students will be using the afternoon lab hours to complete their assignments, and their evenings and weekends will be spent in activities offered by Residential Life.

This sample schedule will give prospective students an understanding of the highly structured and rigorous training offered in the Tisch Summer High School Animators  Workshop. This sample schedule is an overview of one of the four weeks in the program. Students will have in class lectures in the mornings and spend the afternoons in the animation labs working on their assignments with dedicated student lab technical assistants.

Students accepted and confirmed for the program will be given their actual schedule on orientation day.

Monday
Morning - Lecture 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Introduction to animation tools.

Afternoon - Lab 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Create a paper animation with 60 drawings.

Tuesday
Morning - Lecture 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Introduction to Life Drawing. Dragonframe software instruction.

Afternoon - Lab 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Shoot the animation with Dragonframe software. 

Wednesday
Morning - Lecture 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Critique animation assignment. Premiere Pro editing software instruction.

Afternoon - Lab 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Make revisions to your animation based on the critique. Begin coloring animation artwork.

Thursday
Morning - Lecture 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: History of Animation.

Afternoon - Lab 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Finish animation artwork.

Friday
Morning - Lecture 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Field Trip: Animation Studio Visit. 

Afternoon - Lab 1:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Shoot finished animation, add sound effects.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PROGRAM DATES

Summer 2026

Sunday, July 5, 2026 - Saturday, August 1, 2026

Additional important dates are available on the Tisch Admissions Calendar.

ADMISSIONS

The summer 2026 application is closed.

Open to high school juniors (rising seniors) only.

  • Online application fee: $75

Please read through the Summer High School Application Requirements page before starting your application.

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Photo by Sang-Jin Bae

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Photo by Sang-Jin Bae

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TUITION AND FEES

Summer 2026 

Breakdown of costs:
Tuition for 4 units (credits): $8,008
Additional Fees Include:

  • Program Fee (activities facilitated by Residential Life & Housing): $200

  • Housing for 4 weeks: TBA

  • 10 meals* a week for 4 weeks: $824

*As this is a residential program, students are automatically enrolled in the 10 meals a week plan for the length of the program. Students have the option of increasing their meal plan if they wish.*

Program-specific fees:
Animation Lab and Insurance Fee: $690

Please review the Tisch Special Programs cancellation policy.

HOUSING

Students accepted to the Tisch Summer High School program live in NYU housing. Per NYU policy, students must be at least 15 to reside in housing for this program. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Tisch has a limited number of full scholarships for high school students to attend the Tisch summer programs. Scholarships are given to students who demonstrate the most financial need.

Review the Tisch Summer High School Scholarships page for more information.

Apply