With the current high rate of contagiousness and infection from Omicron, we have made the decision to conduct all January classes remotely and to require, with limited exceptions, all employees without essential on-campus duties during this period to work from home through January 28th.  For more information on Covid-19 and the start of spring semester, please use this link to our Covid Response page.  

The Saturday Program

Critique in Architecture Class

Critique in Architecture Class
Student in Painting Class

Student in Painting Class
Studio Visit

Studio Visit
Student in Drawing Class

Student in Drawing Class
Student in Drawing Class

Student in Drawing Class
Instructor and Student In Graphic Design Class

Instructor and Student In Graphic Design Class

Applying to The Saturday Program

Application for Spring '22 academic year is now available for prospective students. 

*Students who are currently attending Fall '21 program do not have to reapply. 

Due date: Registration closes Monday, Jan. 10th, 2022 Space is limited, please apply by Dec. 20th, 2021 for early consideration. 

Apply here

* The Saturday Program is fully onsite. All high school students accepted to the program must be vaccinated. 

Spring semester starts Jan. 29th, 2022 Saturday - April 9th, 10am -5pm

The Saturday Program 

The Cooper Union's Saturday Program offers eight free studio art courses enrolling over 200 New York City Public High School students. All classes meet onsite Saturdays from 10-5pm- fall semester October 9th - December 18th, 2021 and spring semester Jan. 22nd- April 16th, 2022.

This schedule provides the intensive working time necessary to explore media, technique, and concept for both the beginner and the student with art experience.  

Subjects offered for grades 9 through 12 are: 

  • Architecture
  • Digital Media (New Forms) 
  • Drawing
  • Graphic Design
  • Painting
  • Sculpture (New Materials)
  • Senior Studio Visual Art* (12th grade only)
  • Senior Studio Design* (12th grade only)
    *spring semester for the Senior classes will continue studio art making, college support, and art in context to outside the classroom eg. museum/gallery visits, artist studio visits, artist talks.  

Students need no prior experience, just strong motivation. An online application must be submitted to be considered for the program. Those who have attended the Saturday Program  at The Cooper Union in prior years will be offered a place in the program as space permits. Returning students do not need to re-apply however must submit a confirmation form (emailed to directly to students mid-Dec). New students who want to join for the Spring must submit the online application. 

For high school seniors, our year-long long Senior Studio classes provide portfolio development support to successfully compete for admissions to art and architecture colleges. These intensive studio courses include individual advisement and studio visits with professional artists. Applicants to Senior Studios must attend an informal work review before gaining admission into these classes. 

All classes take field trips to museums, galleries. Creative writing workshops are integrated into the visual arts curriculum. Each year the program culminates in April with an art exhibition. 

Saturday Program 2021 exhibition website:
http://yearendshow2021.saturdayprogram.cooper.edu/about/

For more information and questions please email saturdayprogram@cooper.edu 

 

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  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.