High School

High school classes and intensives
Dual credit
Pre-College ArtLab

High school classes and intensives

KCAI offers high school classes and intensives throughout the year to promote artistic skill building and expanding a student's art background for students ages 15 to 18. In addition, we offer college portfolio building classes such as portfolio preparation and figure drawing.

See a complete listing of courses.

Dual credit

The School for Continuing and Professional Studies offers dual credit programs for students enrolled in cooperating high schools. North Kansas City high school is the first high school in the metropolitan area to offer the dual credit program, which, upon completion, awards KCAI college credit for advanced art classes. To inquire about dual credit opportunities for your high school, please contact Tabitha Schmidt, director of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies, at tschmidt@kcai.edu or 816-802.3445.

Pre-College ArtLab (PCAL)

A three-week residency program for high school students from July 7-26, 2013

KCAI's Pre-College ArtLab (PCAL) is a three-week residency program for freshman through senior high school students. Seniors who have already graduated are welcome to apply. Students accepted into the PCAL program will choose a studio major and also take a liberal arts course as well as an intensive life drawing course. The program will help students discover first hand the commitment it takes to be an artist.

For more information or to request a brochure, contact Sarah Biggerstaff at 816-802-3505 or sbiggerstaff@kcai.edu. The deadline to apply was April 5.

Students and parents may view a pdf draft of the PCAL Student Schedule 2013 here.

Download the studio course descriptions here.

Download a PCAL 2013 brochure.

See a video about the PCAL program. 

Join us in summer 2013

• Experience first hand the commitment and focus it takes to be a full-time college art student
• Meet a faculty of artists and educators who will inspire, motivate and push students closer to their artistic goals.
• Study within a college-like curriculum that will expose students to new techniques and media.
• Experience the joy of working within well-equipped studios featuring specialized equipment.
• Live, learn, laugh and connect with high school students from across the country who are each serious about art.
• Create art five days a week, nine hours a day for three weeks of art-making heaven.
• Experiment with what you know about yourself as an artist.

PCAL features

Compare our pre-college program with other schools, and you'll appreciate the value we offer at KCAI. Our program cost of $2,799 includes:

• Three college credits
• Tuition
• Room and board
• Supplies
• Some excursions and weekend activities
• One semester living center grant if enrolled at KCAI
• Portfolio review at the conclusion of the program
• Exhibition of work in a public show
• CD of life drawing and major studio work upon completion
• Air-conditioned rooms and facilities
• Extensive professional practice components throughout the program

Your schedule

• Six hours of studio major
• Three hours of life drawing three evenings a week
• 15 hours of liberal arts
• Field trips, workshops and other fun planned activities on weekends
• Free time to use as you wish (in the studio, exploring Kansas City...)

2013 studio options

• Digital Media
• Illustration
• Painting
• Printmaking
• Sculpture

On-campus housing

Students reside in the Student Living Center, along with resident assistants who are degree-seeking students at the Kansas City Art Institute. They will assist you with daily living needs, while also helping you find out what it means to be a full-time student at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Final exhibition

Students work will culminate in an all-program exhibition in various locations around the campus. All participants will share their work with each other as well as friends, parents, faculty and staff. Work from your life drawing class, major studio and liberal arts component will be displayed.

Wanted: responsible and alive!

Our expectation of PCAL students is that they will demonstrate a high level of initiative and responsibility regarding their work and behavior during this program. Walking and/or public bus transportation is encouraged for individual outings; tour buses are provided for planned PCAL activities. For everyone's protection, no transportation in individual vehicles is permitted. Because our goal is to provide an intensive, in-depth and concentrated art-making experience for the students, visitors are restricted to specific times designated in the handbook. Few exceptions will be made to this restriction.

Scholarships

Competitive scholarships are awarded to select applicants, based on artistic merit, academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. Scholarships apply to tuition, room, board and supplies but are not applied toward the non-refundable deposit. Students who successfully complete the Pre-College ArtLab will be awarded a one semester living center grant upon their enrollment at the Kansas City Art Institute.

To apply

1. Fill out our online application.
2. After completing the online application, mail the following additional materials in one package:
   1. CD with six digital images of applicant’s work. Do not send original artwork.
   2. Letter of recommendation from a teacher or qualified instructor familiar with the applicant’s abilities.
   3. Current high school transcripts.
   4. If applying for a scholarship, copy of current IRS income tax return. Please note that KCAI reserves a limited amount of money for scholarships. Those interested in being considered must submit all required materials. Please understand that we do not have unlimited funds.
3. Make sure ALL of the above materials have been sent to the below address by Friday, April 5, 2013.

Acceptance packets will be mailed the last half of April. If you are accepted, you will need to complete and send all of the paperwork in the packet along with a $300 nonrefundable deposit. As part of your paperwork you can choose to pay the remaining balance in a lump sum or opt for a payment plan. The payment plan costs an additional $100.
 
If you choose the payment plan, your total for the program will be $2,899. After the $300 nonrefundable deposit (due May 3), you will work out a payment plan with the Continuing and Professional Studies Office that insures payment will occur BEFORE the program begins in July.  If you choose the payment plan, the total payment (not including the deposit) of $2,599 will be due by Friday, June 28.

To ask about a payment plan, contact Sarah Biggerstaff at sbiggerstaff@kcai.edu or at 816.802.3505.
 
If you choose to pay in one lump sum, remit the balance by Friday, June 7, by check or credit card.
 
For payment, send checks to the address below or call 816-802-3505 to pay by credit card.
 
Send all materials to the following address:
KCAI-PCAL Program
4415 Warwick Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111

Deadlines and schedule for summer 2013

• Friday, April 5:  All applications are due to our office.
• Late April: Scholarship award announcements and acceptance/reject letters will be mailed via US Mail.
• Friday, June 7:  Remaining balance is due unless you have worked out a payment plan.
• Friday, May 3:  $300 non-refundable deposit is due in our office.
• Sunday, July 7: Check-in, orientation and program begins.
• Saturday, July 20:  Parents Day (Parents can visit their student on campus.)
• Friday, July 26:  Last day of class and evening exhibition.
• Saturday, July 27: Students must check out before noon.

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