A college credit-granting portfolio prep program for high school students.
Future BFA is the Art Academy of Cincinnati’s (AAC) portfolio and college prep program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual art, design, or creative writing in college. For three weeks in July, students from across the country assemble on AAC’s campus in the historic neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati, Ohio. They live in AAC’s dorms, practice their craft in professional-grade studios, and gain firsthand perspective of the art school experience while immersed in AAC’s artistic community.
During the Future BFA program, students take a college-level course based on artistic research and independent projects. As a result, FBFA students produce artwork, design, creatively write, and develop their portfolios. In addition, FBFA students grow in their understanding of themselves and their practice as an artist and form long-lasting friendships with like-minded peers.
Upon successful completion of the Future BFA Pre-College program, students will gain three college credits that can be transferred as a studio elective.
The Art Academy of Cincinnati has the resources needed for student success, including student studios, state-of-the-art shops and labs, and collaborative centers for making art and making friends. With a course schedule that blends conceptual topics and technical skills, FBFA students learn in a studio-based environment and enjoy the freedom of independence as they choose the ideas, subjects, and world lens they wish to explore within their portfolio. In addition, program critiques, field trips, and celebrations act as milestones and keep students on track for success as they work to build on their talents and skills one art piece at a time.
Parking pass availible upon request for $100
Housing cost of $600 is included in this price.
Important Dates
Registration Opens | December 6, 2024
Scholarship Application Deadline | March 31, 2025
Program Dates | July 6 – July 26, 2025
Student and Parent Orientation & Residential Move-In | Sunday, July 6, 2025
Course Dates | July 7 – July 25, 2025
End of Program Exhibition | July 25, 2025
Residential Move Out Date | July 26, 2025
Classes occur from 9am – 4pm Monday – Friday
Studio Time is 4pm-10pm on Weekdays and 9am – 10pm on Weeken
Students can choose to be a residential student or commuting student. Residential accommodations are located in AAC’s loft-style dorm rooms that include the latest modern amenities for student living, located across the main campus on Jackson Street. The residence hall is monitored 24/7 by trained Residential Advisors and Security. The main campus is open to all Future BFA students during evening and weekend hours for studio and lab use.
Residential students should plan to bring funds for their meal expenses, such as grocery shopping, or dining out. Dorms are equipped with a refrigerator, a kitchen, and a laundry washer and dryer. Recommended to bring groceries with you on Orientation Day. AAC does not provide meal plans. Some supplies are covered in tuition costs. An additional supply list will be provided after acceptanceinto the program.
Approximate cost: $300
The FBFA Pre-College application is to submit your interest in attending the Future BFA Pre-College program at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Registration is rolling and students are enrolled on a first-come first-serve basis until all student spots are filled. After you submit your application, it will be reviewed for completion and then you will receive notification to enroll by placing a $100 deposit to secure your spot in the program.
A portion of the application is focused on financial aid. If you wish to apply for a scholarship for the Future BFA Pre-College program, please complete all the necessary fields and respond to the prompted questions. Scholarships range from partial to full fellowships that cover the cost of tuition and housing. Scholarships are awarded for both merit and need-based financial aid.
Applicants to the Future BFA Pre-College program should be a rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior and in good academic standing with their High School. A personal interest in art, design, or creative writing is imperative as the program focuses on the development of a portfolio.
If the cost of the FBFA program is a barrier for participation, please complete the scholarship portion of the application. Scholarships are awarded based on need and merit and are assigned to students through a review of their qualifications, and at the discretion of funds available.
Scholarship Application Deadline is March 31, 2025
Additional generous support from: John J. & Mary R. Schiff Foundation, P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Thomas R. Schiff Foundation, Hamilton County.
