Media Arts Program
Within the 4 week Media Arts intensive at SUNY Fredonia, students have the opportunity to specialize in photography, video, computer animation, and filmmaking.
In order to apply, students must:
For submissions, please use the following naming conventions:
- Fill out the application for the School of Media Arts
- Submit portfolio with your statement of intent online by emailing a Google Drive link to your portfolio to nysssa@nysed.gov. Please see the NYSSSA Media Arts Portfolio Guide at the bottom of this page. This portfolio guide template should be used to build your portfolio. Complete instructions are included within the template.
- IMPORTANT: If opening the portfolio link directly in Google Slides, a pop up will appear and you will be prompted to make a copy before viewing and editing. Please do so and rename your portfolio as "Last Name_First Name_ Media Arts Portfolio". You may then submit your artist statement and artwork directly into the portfolio template. If utilizing the PowerPoint link, please follow the same naming convention and directions. After completing your portfolio, please upload it to Google Drive. When complete, please email your portfolio link to nysssa@nysed.gov. Please ensure that the portfolio privacy is set to "public" or "anyone with link", so that our faculty and staff may view your work.
Eligibility Requirements:
Students must currently be in 8th-12th grade at the time of application in order to qualify
Students must be full-time residents of New York State and/or attend school full-time in New York State
Program Dates
Program Dates: July 6-August 2, 2025
Tuition Cost
Tuition for 2025 will be $2,800. Tuition aid will be available for families making under $91,000/year Adjusted Gross Income. Tuition aid will be awarded on a sliding scale and amounts to 10-90% of the program cost. No merit scholarships are available.
Media Arts Course Descriptions
PHOTOGRAPHY
This photography class explores both digital and experimental processes, camera techniques, lighting, and editing software.
Portfolio Requirements for Application: Submit 6 - 8 of your strongest images and write about these specific images in your Artist Statement - how they relate to your artistic vision and practice, and how you want to use the images as a building block to future work. Include any technical information such as medium, size, date, title, etc.
VIDEO ART
This class explores video as an artistic medium that can communicate ideas through story, sound, and image. You will learn both camera skills and digital editing techniques.
Portfolio Requirements for Application: Submit up to 2 videos that you created independently or that you collaborated on - be sure to identify your role in the production (writer, director, camera, editor, etc) and write about this work in your Artist Statement. Submit video files via Google Drive or provide links to the work on YouTube or Vimeo in your application.
Please note, you may still apply if you have no prior experience in video production. If this is the case, please explain in detail your interest in learning video skills. You may also include storyboards or written scripts.
ANIMATION
In this class, students will learn the art of motion studies and storytelling using both analog stop-motion and digital techniques, including production and editing software.
Portfolio Requirements for Application: Submit up to 2 motion picture animation files – or 6 - 8 drawings, collages, or paintings – that reflect your artistic vision. You may also include storyboards or written scripts. Submit video files using Google Drive or provide links to the work on YouTube or Vimeo in your application. Write about this work in your Artist Statement and talk about your interest in animation as a creative and technical process that you wish to explore at NYSSSA.
FILMMAKING
In this analog film class you will learn how to use super 8 & 16mm film cameras, hand-process film, and make films using other artistic tools.
Portfolio Requirements for Application: Your application may include up to 2 video files of work that you created independently or that you collaborated on - be sure to identify your role in the production (writer, director, camera, editor, etc) – or – 6-8 photographs, drawing, or paintings that reflect your artistic vision. Write about this work in your Artist Statement. Submit video files using Google Drive or provide links to the work on YouTube or Vimeo in your application. If you have no prior experience in video, film, or photography explain in detail your interest in learning filmmaking skills at NYSSSA. You may also include storyboards or written scripts.
