The Saturday Program

About The Saturday Program

Founded in 1968, The Cooper Union’s Saturday Program has offered free art and architecture classes to New York City public high school students for more than 55 years. The program plays a vital role in expanding access to arts education and helps fill the gaps left by underfunded art programs in NYC public schools. Students receive free, high-quality visual arts instruction typically reserved for exclusive programs. They also gain access to field trips, studio visits, and presentations from working artists. Writing workshops are woven into the curriculum, connecting visual expression with written reflection.

Introductory Saturday Program Classes
Introductory level courses build fundamental skills and broaden artistic awareness. Taught by current Cooper Union undergraduates, these classes give high school students the opportunity to learn from near-peer mentors who share their passion for art and design.

Portfolio Preparation for College-Bound Students
11th and 12th graders interested in pursuing art in college may apply for Portfolio Prep classes—designed specifically to help students develop strong, college-ready portfolios. These courses are led by a team of professional artists and undergraduate instructors. In addition, Portfolio Prep students receive a range of supplemental supports, including:

Personalized Mentorship for Student Success
Each student receives one-on-one mentorship that supports their academic growth, goal-setting, and personal development—ensuring parents and guardians can feel confident their student is well supported.
College-Readiness Skills and Resources
Through hands-on activities and workshops, Saturday Program students build essential college and career skills, strengthening their readiness for higher education and helping families plan for the future.

All classes run on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm throughout the school year, operating semesterly (Fall and Spring).

Fall 2025 Dates
    •    October 4 – Week 1
    •    October 11 – Week 2
    •    October 18 – Week 3
    •    October 25 – Week 4
    •    November 1 – Week 5
    •    November 8 – Week 6
    •    November 15 – Week 7
    •    November 22 – Week 8
    •    November 29 – No Class (Thanksgiving)
    •    December 6 – Week 9
    •    December 13 – Week 10

Spring 2026 Dates
    •    January 24 – Week 1
    •    January 31 – Week 2
    •    February 7 – Week 3
    •    February 14 – No Class (President's Day)
    •    February 21 – Week 4
    •    February 28 – Week 5
    •    March 7 – Week 6
    •    March 14 – Week 7
    •    March 21 – Week 8
    •    March 28 – Week 9, Year End Show Opening
    •    April 4 – Week 10

Eligibility

The Saturday Program aims to serve students with limited access to educational opportunities in the arts. The program criteria aim to support students who may face barriers to accessing comprehensive educational opportunities, particularly in the visual arts, due to financial constraints, lack of resources, or limited familial support for higher education.

We welcome individuals who have little to no experience in the visual arts and are seeking to develop and/or expand their artistic voice.

To be eligible, students must meet a combination of the following criteria which is considered on a case by case basis:

Come from a low- or moderate-income household
Attend a New York City public or charter high school
Attend a school without a comprehensive visual arts program
Qualify for public assistance

Students with an interest in the arts are strongly encouraged to apply

All students previously accepted into the program are automatically eligible to return for the current program year. Simply fill out the registration form and indicate returning

Applying to The Saturday Program

Spring 2026 Applications Now Open!
Applications for the Spring 2026 session are available now through Friday, January 9th. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance within two weeks of the application deadline.

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APPLY NOW

High school students interested in applying to the program can complete the form linked above.

Current Cooper Union students interested in working with the Saturday Program can check for listings here.

Saturday Program Information Session

If you have questions or concerns about your application, please sign up for a one-on-one session to speak with a program representative about your application. To schedule a virtual meeting, please click here. All sessions are confidential.