For future arts and humanities students
Arts and Humanities Opportunities for High School Students
20 volunteer programs, research programs, competitions, and clubs for high school students interested in arts and humanities: 0 national or online, and 20 local programs in New York City, the Bay Area, and Houston.
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- Opportunities
- 20
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 18
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 7
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 3
- others run longer or do not say
- Brooklyn Public Library BKLYN BookMatch Teen
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- September 14 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Brooklyn Public Library Book Buddy
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Fort Bend County Libraries Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering · TX
- Who can join
- 12 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Harris County Friends of the Library (Harris County Public Library) Teen Social Media Creators
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Houston Public Library Youth Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Oakland Public Library Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Program
Competition · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Varies
- Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory Boards
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)
Club or organization · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 8 to 12
- When to apply
- Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth Representatives
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Queens Public Library Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering · Queens, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round; approval and placement can take up to 30 days (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth Volunteers
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 19
- When to apply
- Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- San Jose Public Library Teens Reach
Club or organization · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- The Bronx Museum of the Arts Teen Council
Club or organization · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 19
- When to apply
- Fall 2026 applications open through October 4, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- The Jewish Museum Teen Internship Program
Internship · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- March 23, 2026 (page also cites March 16, 2026 for materials) (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
- Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) Artists
Club or organization · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- September 9, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
- Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) Arts Careers
Summer program · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Summer
- Brooklyn Children's Museum Teen Curators ProgramPaused
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Last cycle: applications opened February 10 and closed February 21 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPaused
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Not posted
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Public Library BKLYN BookMatch TeenVolunteering · Library | Brooklyn, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Eight weekly Wednesday trainings in November and December, then 2-3 times a month through early June | September 14 (date unconfirmed; check official page) |
| Brooklyn Public Library Book BuddyVolunteering · Library | Brooklyn, NY | Ages 12 to 18 | School year: 2-3 hours a day, up to three days a week, for at least three months. Summer (July and August only): 1-3 days a week, 2-3 hours a day, for at least three weeks | Year-round |
| Fort Bend County Libraries Youth Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteering · Library | TX | 12 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Harris County Friends of the Library (Harris County Public Library) Teen Social Media CreatorsVolunteering · Library | Houston, TX | Not posted | Once-weekly virtual check-ins via Microsoft Teams | Not posted |
| Houston Public Library Youth Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Library | Houston, TX | Ages 14 to 17 | Consistent volunteer schedule | Year-round |
| Oakland Public Library Oakland Youth Poet Laureate ProgramCompetition · Library | Oakland, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Varies |
| Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory BoardsVolunteering · Library | Oakland, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Year-round |
| Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)Club or organization · Library | Palo Alto, CA | Grades 8 to 12 | Not posted | Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth RepresentativesInternship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Not posted | 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Queens Public Library Teen Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteering · Library | Queens, NY | Ages 14 to 17 | Hours limited by state law (14-15: up to 18 hours a school week; 16-17: up to 28 hours a school week) | Year-round; approval and placement can take up to 30 days (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth VolunteersVolunteering · Library | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | Not posted | School year |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 16 to 18 | 10 hours per week, late October through early May | Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 19 | 16-20 hours per week, June 15 to August 2 | Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| San Jose Public Library Teens ReachClub or organization · Library | San Jose, CA | Ages 13 to 18 | Regular attendance at meetings and support of library activities | Year-round |
| The Bronx Museum of the Arts Teen CouncilClub or organization · Museum or science center | Bronx, NY | Ages 14 to 19 | Twice a week after school; fall and spring four-month sessions | Fall 2026 applications open through October 4, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| The Jewish Museum Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | New York, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Training in spring 2026, internship during the 2026-27 school year | March 23, 2026 (page also cites March 16, 2026 for materials) (past deadline; confirm next cycle) |
| Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) ArtistsClub or organization · Museum or science center | New York, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Semester-long after-school program | September 9, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle) |
| Whitney Museum of American Art Youth Insights (YI) Arts CareersSummer program · Museum or science center | New York, NY | Grades 10 to 12 | Not posted | Summer |
| Brooklyn Children's Museum Teen Curators ProgramPausedInternship · Museum or science center | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Most recent session ran April 7 to June 15, 2025, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm plus two hours of remote work weekly | Last cycle: applications opened February 10 and closed February 21 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Mountain View, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | Not posted | Not posted |
Email me this list
A link to this list, so you have the age rules and application windows when they open.
Summer programs for arts and humanities students
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JCampAsian American Journalists Association | Multiple locationsResidential | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Free | January 11, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| BUTIBoston University College of Fine Arts | Lenox, MAResidential | Ages 14 to 20 (Young Artists Programs ages 14 to 19) | Paid, aid available | January 19, 2027 |
| CAED/Architecture Summer Career WorkshopCal Poly College of Architecture and Environmental Design | San Luis Obispo, CAResidential or commuter | High school students at least 16 years old | Paid, aid available | Not posted |
| CSSSACalifornia State Summer School for the Arts (State of California) | Pomona, CAResidential | Currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12 | Paid, aid available | February 28, 2027 (priority deadline) |
| CMU Pre-College ArchitectureCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| CMU Pre-College ArtCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| CMU Pre-College DesignCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| CMU Pre-College DramaCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| CMU Pre-College MusicCarnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PAResidential or commuter | Current high school sophomores and juniors (part-time commuter option for students entering 9th grade or higher) | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2027 (February 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration) |
| InterlochenInterlochen Center for the Arts | Interlochen, MIResidential | Grades 3 to 12, with high school programs for grades 9 to 12 | Paid, aid available | Priority deadline January 15, 2027 |
| IYWSUniversity of Iowa | Iowa City, IAResidential | Students currently in 10th, 11th or 12th grade | Paid, aid available | February 7, 2027 |
| Young WritersThe Kenyon Review at Kenyon College | Gambier, OHResidential | Rising juniors, rising seniors and recent high school graduates, ages 16 to 18 | Paid, aid available | March 1, 2026 (teacher recommendations due March 7)Last cycle’s date |
Browse other opportunities
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In New York City
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- Engineering and Computer Science (7)
- Law and Government (3)
- Education (27)
- Arts and Humanities (8)
- Psychology and Social Work (6)
- Hospital (18)
- Zoo and Aquarium (11)
- Museum (10)
- Library (9)
- Animal Shelter (5)
- Parks and Environment (5)
- Community Service (3)
Frequently asked questions
What activities help a future arts and humanities student?
Activities a student keeps up over time and can describe in their own words. One long commitment usually says more than several short ones.
Do these programs have age limits?
Most do. Each program page shows the minimum age or grade the organization posts, and says so when nothing is posted.
Sources and method
Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Arts and Humanities Opportunities for High School Students”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/major/arts-and-humanities.
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