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Paris College of Art
Summer 4 weeks I 2018
4 credits
PCA’s 4 week summer program offers students an intensive environment to deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills in art and design. Courses expose students to Paris in a unique way, by combining classroom time with excursions to various sites around the city. Students enroll in two back-to-back 2 week classes for a total of 4 credits.
Application Deadline
April 5, 2018
Apps accepted after deadline as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
Highlights
- Students select from a range of courses in Fine Arts, Design, and Liberal Arts.
- Popular courses include: “The Fashion Sketchbook” and “Photography in Paris.”
Program Dates
June 21, 2018 – July 21, 2018
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above.
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Art History
Communication Design
Fashion Design
Fine Arts
Interior Design
Photography
Communication Design
Fashion Design
Fine Arts
Interior Design
Photography
2.0 Credits
Art History | Course #: FHCA 2004 | Open
Pre-requisite: Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
This course is designed to introduce you to the artistic and historical tradition of cosmopolitan Paris. During the course, the rich cultural and historical heritage of Paris, as it has come down to us from the Middle Ages to the present day, will be explored through a dynamic program of venturing into the city to learn about its cultural resources.
You will learn to read with your eyes and experience works of art in person, analyzing various complex artworks; visiting historic sites, monuments and museums; and considering the cityâs remarkable urban development and contributions to architecture and design.
The focus will be on several historically organized sections: the development of Romanesque and Gothic art in France; the royal and imperial patrimony of the 17th to the 19th centuries; the achievements of the Parisian avant-gardes from the end of the 19th century until the Second World War; and, finally, postmodern Paris. Classroom discussions will alternate with visits to artistic and historical sites in and around the city.
You will learn to read with your eyes and experience works of art in person, analyzing various complex artworks; visiting historic sites, monuments and museums; and considering the cityâs remarkable urban development and contributions to architecture and design.
The focus will be on several historically organized sections: the development of Romanesque and Gothic art in France; the royal and imperial patrimony of the 17th to the 19th centuries; the achievements of the Parisian avant-gardes from the end of the 19th century until the Second World War; and, finally, postmodern Paris. Classroom discussions will alternate with visits to artistic and historical sites in and around the city.
Contact Hours: 45
2.0 Credits
Communication Design | Course #: FHOT2021 | Open
Pre-requisite: Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
This interdisciplinary course will provide an overview of the creation of a fashion editorial for a magazine. With a main focus on art direction, you will be introduced to all the steps and aspects involved in a fashion editorial photo-story, from initial research and mood board construction to styling, photography and magazine. The course will consist of individual and collective projects to address the necessary skills for the conception of a fashion photo-story such as story-telling, concept development and experimental styling.
The practice-based approach of the course will be inspired and supported by various lectures covering topics such as: fashion media, surveys of key fashion photographers, stylists and art directors, genres of fashion editorials, significance of the fashion magazine and its role in contemporary culture.
The practice-based approach of the course will be inspired and supported by various lectures covering topics such as: fashion media, surveys of key fashion photographers, stylists and art directors, genres of fashion editorials, significance of the fashion magazine and its role in contemporary culture.
Contact Hours: 30
2.0 Credits
Fashion Design | Course #: FFAS 2009 | Open
Pre-requisite: Basic sewing machine techniques. Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
The 21st century marks the beginning of a new textile revolution â one that is smart, sustainable, ethical and poetic. The textile world needs dynamic designers who can propose and realise intelligent, responsible innovation and personal vision.
This course offers to explore fabric construction, surface decoration and textures through a variety of traditional crafts and contemporary processes, ranging from hand and machine knitting, dyeing to surface treatments such as foiling, dévoré, felting, shibori, bonding, to digital printing. Two specialized professors, guest lecturers and field trips will lead you during this (exciting) expedition into the world of textiles.
From concept development via research book, to experimental swatches, you will learn how to communicate your ideas and translate them into a coherent refined-yet-creative textile collection around a given theme. Special focus will be made on a creative dialogue between construction (knit) and surface treaments and you will be encouraged to propose new fabric ideas.
At the end of the course, your work will be gathered into a personal folio presenting innovating textile solutions for design, fashion, or fine arts.
This course offers to explore fabric construction, surface decoration and textures through a variety of traditional crafts and contemporary processes, ranging from hand and machine knitting, dyeing to surface treatments such as foiling, dÃÂévorÃÂé, felting, shibori, bonding, to digital printing. Two specialized professors, guest lecturers and field trips will lead you during this (exciting) expedition into the world of textiles.
From concept development via research book, to experimental swatches, you will learn how to communicate your ideas and translate them into a coherent refined-yet-creative textile collection around a given theme. Special focus will be made on a creative dialogue between construction (knit) and surface treaments and you will be encouraged to propose new fabric ideas.
At the end of the course, your work will be gathered into a personal folio presenting innovating textile solutions for design, fashion, or fine arts.
This course offers to explore fabric construction, surface decoration and textures through a variety of traditional crafts and contemporary processes, ranging from hand and machine knitting, dyeing to surface treatments such as foiling, dévoré, felting, shibori, bonding, to digital printing. Two specialized professors, guest lecturers and field trips will lead you during this (exciting) expedition into the world of textiles.
From concept development via research book, to experimental swatches, you will learn how to communicate your ideas and translate them into a coherent refined-yet-creative textile collection around a given theme. Special focus will be made on a creative dialogue between construction (knit) and surface treaments and you will be encouraged to propose new fabric ideas.
At the end of the course, your work will be gathered into a personal folio presenting innovating textile solutions for design, fashion, or fine arts.
This course offers to explore fabric construction, surface decoration and textures through a variety of traditional crafts and contemporary processes, ranging from hand and machine knitting, dyeing to surface treatments such as foiling, dÃÂévorÃÂé, felting, shibori, bonding, to digital printing. Two specialized professors, guest lecturers and field trips will lead you during this (exciting) expedition into the world of textiles.
From concept development via research book, to experimental swatches, you will learn how to communicate your ideas and translate them into a coherent refined-yet-creative textile collection around a given theme. Special focus will be made on a creative dialogue between construction (knit) and surface treaments and you will be encouraged to propose new fabric ideas.
At the end of the course, your work will be gathered into a personal folio presenting innovating textile solutions for design, fashion, or fine arts.
Contact Hours: 30
2.0 Credits
Fine Arts | Course #: FFAR TBA | Open
Pre-requisite: Course open to Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
As you let yourself be immersed and inspired by the city of Paris through combined visits and studio sessions, you will acquire a solid base in some of the main printmaking techniques, such as lithography, monoprint, linocut and dry point. As an exceptional feature, you will be initiated to the lithography technique by two professionals in their 19th arrondissement-based workshop, one of the last ones in France to use stone lithography.
Your research, prints and any 2D creation will then be collected in the form of books and editions, with a special attention given to the finished object. To achieve this, you will explore book binding techniques, along with professional outsourced solutions to complete each individual project. A visit to the prestigious Bibliothèque Nationale de France (France National Library) and its impressive collection of ancient manuscripts, prints and book archives will open up perspectives and inspiration
Your research, prints and any 2D creation will then be collected in the form of books and editions, with a special attention given to the finished object. To achieve this, you will explore book binding techniques, along with professional outsourced solutions to complete each individual project. A visit to the prestigious Bibliothèque Nationale de France (France National Library) and its impressive collection of ancient manuscripts, prints and book archives will open up perspectives and inspiration
Contact Hours: 30
2.0 Credits
Interior Design | Course #: FINT 2000 | Open
Pre-requisite: Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
From the roman thermals of Cluny to the newly opened Foundation Louis Vuitton, Paris and its outskirts contains more than 2000 years of history of Arts and Architecture.
In this course, you will take a journey in time, and learn to appreciate and discover remarkable places and buildings, their architecturale structure and most intricate details, through class lectures and daily outtings.You will learn to develop and improve the way you record these monuments through a deep understanding and practice of perspective, as well as multiple rendering techniques. This will also be a time for you to mature your own artistic voice.
Our visits will concentrate on revealing sensations such as scale changes, and the dualities of indoor/outdoor relationships, architecture and landscape, and past and present confrontation. These concepts will be examined through drawings and sketches which you will record in a daybook that will be presented in our summer show at the end of the program.
In this course, you will take a journey in time, and learn to appreciate and discover remarkable places and buildings, their architecturale structure and most intricate details, through class lectures and daily outtings.You will learn to develop and improve the way you record these monuments through a deep understanding and practice of perspective, as well as multiple rendering techniques. This will also be a time for you to mature your own artistic voice.
Our visits will concentrate on revealing sensations such as scale changes, and the dualities of indoor/outdoor relationships, architecture and landscape, and past and present confrontation. These concepts will be examined through drawings and sketches which you will record in a daybook that will be presented in our summer show at the end of the program.
Contact Hours: 45
2.0 Credits
Interior Design | Course #: FINT 2002 | Open
Pre-requisite: Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
This technical course will serve as an introduction to the fundamental practical skills required to represent space when working on interior design or an architectural projects. Teaming in small groups, you will design a compact, convertible and modular habitation adapted to an unusual urban context, choosing a site within Paris among a list of suggested locations. Using CAD drafting and modelling programs, you will measure, draw and visualize ideas in space. Google SketchUp will allow you to build a dimensional model of a project, and develop plan, section, axonometrical or perspective views, as well as animations of a proposal.
Beyond these representations, you will be invited to explore geometrical issues, technical details and natural light variations within the virtual space of the program. In this course, Autocad will be explored in its 2 dimensional aspect, which will enable you to produce accurate technical drawings of the scheme. Hand drawing and sketching will also be encouraged.
The end result of the course will include three A3 format layouts per team, expressing graphically the proposal of each team. They will include the analysis of the siteâÃÂÃÂs potential, along with references and inspirations, the main concept of the project, the plans and 3D views of the proposal.
Beyond these representations, you will be invited to explore geometrical issues, technical details and natural light variations within the virtual space of the program. In this course, Autocad will be explored in its 2 dimensional aspect, which will enable you to produce accurate technical drawings of the scheme. Hand drawing and sketching will also be encouraged.
The end result of the course will include three A3 format layouts per team, expressing graphically the proposal of each team. They will include the analysis of the siteâÃÂÃÂs potential, along with references and inspirations, the main concept of the project, the plans and 3D views of the proposal.
Contact Hours: 30
2.0 Credits
Photography | Course #: FHOT 2017 | Open
Pre-requisite: Students must bring their own DSLR camera and laptop. Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
The combination of fashion and Paris is alluring unlike any other city during fashion week. Shooting at fashion shows is an exclusive media privilege. However street fashion photography, captured by master photographers such as Bill Cunningham and made famous by bloggers such as the Sartorialist, is a completely different approach and at times more in demand with publications than the traditional runway shots.
Through a series of workshops during Haute Couture Paris Fashion week you will be introduced to street style fashion portraiture whilst developing refined camera craft skills in lighting in composition. You will also produce a digital folio and self published book, all within the breathtaking backdrop of Paris.
Through a series of workshops during Haute Couture Paris Fashion week you will be introduced to street style fashion portraiture whilst developing refined camera craft skills in lighting in composition. You will also produce a digital folio and self published book, all within the breathtaking backdrop of Paris.
Contact Hours: 45
2.0 Credits
Photography | Course #: FHOT TBA | Cancelled
Pre-requisite: Students must bring their own DSLR camera. Course open to Pre-College, Undergraduate, Graduate, & Young Professionals.
This course will focus on capturing the essence of life in Paris in its diversity. You will use photography to explore and document different sides of the French capital, trying to find original and personal angles to catch the spirit of the city and its very different neighborhoods. You will be given assignments to photograph places, people, situations typical of Paris, a cosmopolitan, historical and contemporary European city. You will progressively become engaged into a relevant photographic project on the City of Light, and acquire a better understanding of the steps involved in a creative photographic process. According to your skills and preferences, you will be able to express yourself using different genres like portrait, street photography or urban landscape.
Through field trips including technical exercises, sessions dedicated to natural and artificial light, you will learn to control your camera and environment, as well as strengthen the concepts and aesthetics of your images. Time will be given to sit together to analyze and critic each otherâÂÂs work on a daily basis.
We will base our work on an exploration of the theme âÂÂLife in Citiesâ seen through the eyes of important historical and contemporary photographers, as well as museum or gallery visits, like Le Bal and Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The course will culminate in a class show and opening, where you will each present your six best images printed on photographic paper.
Through field trips including technical exercises, sessions dedicated to natural and artificial light, you will learn to control your camera and environment, as well as strengthen the concepts and aesthetics of your images. Time will be given to sit together to analyze and critic each otherâÂÂs work on a daily basis.
We will base our work on an exploration of the theme âÂÂLife in Citiesâ seen through the eyes of important historical and contemporary photographers, as well as museum or gallery visits, like Le Bal and Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The course will culminate in a class show and opening, where you will each present your six best images printed on photographic paper.
Contact Hours: 30
Courses & Schedule
SAI students are free to enroll in any available course, but prerequisites must be demonstrated through students’ transcripts. Students choose two back-to-back 2 week courses (one from session A and one from session B). Courses are intensive and meet five days per week Monday – Friday.
Course Registration
Students choose their courses after they have been accepted into the program. As soon as the PCA schedule is confirmed, students are asked to complete a Course Approval form, which is used to specify first-choice and alternate-choice courses. All posted schedules of classes are tentative and subject to change unless otherwise noted. SAI’s Paris Admissions Counselor will guide students through this process.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| April 5 2018 |
Application Deadline Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| March 15 2018 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for an SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| March 23 2018 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the date of acceptance. |
| April 22 2018 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until student loan disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
| April 22 2018 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
| May 21 2018 |
SAI Pre-Departure Form Due |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| June 21 2018 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 12:00 noon, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| June 22 2018 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation is held at the SAI Paris office and introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| June 25 2018 |
PCA Academic Orientation & Session A Classes Begin PCA orientation covers academic policies, and provides opportunities for students to meet one another. Following orientation, session A classes begin. |
| July 6 2018 |
Session A Classes End |
| July 9 2018 |
Session B Classes Begin |
| July 20 2018 |
Session B Classes End |
| July 21 2018 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI Signature Services (see What’s Included). |
$7,250 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$795 |
| Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in a private room. Includes daily breakfast and 3 or 5 dinners/week. |
3 dinners – $300 5 dinners – $400 |
| International Mailing Supplement Students residing outside the U.S. are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$85 |
*prices are subject to change
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend an SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Paris |
$900 | $1,200 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees Course fees are sometimes imposed to cover field trips. |
$25 / course | $75 / course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$400 / month | $800 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $350 / month | $450 / month |
| Transportation within Paris Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$125 / month | $150 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is an SAI Signature Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup and transportation on arrival day
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- Cell phone rental with free incoming calls and texts while in host country
- SAI staff on-site dedicated to providing personal assistance
- SAI orientation to the host city and school
- Frequent SAI cultural activities and day trips
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance throughout your study abroad experience
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Assistance with student visa application
- Assistance with financial aid and loan processing
- Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
- SAI Ambassador Program for SAI alumni, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers activities, at no extra cost, for students to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Lunch & Walking Tour
Students are welcomed to their new city with a delicious lunch and walking tour of the many Parisian sites, including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars.
Visit to l’Institut du Monde Arabe Museum
Students visit Paris’s renowned Arab culture museum. Through its exhibits, students learn about Arab art, language, science, history, religion & society.
Picnic & Visit to the Chateau de Sceaux
Students take a weekend day trip via train to the south of Paris to see the Sceaux castle and picnic on its beautiful manicured grounds.
Day Trip to Deauville
Students take a 2 hour train ride to the beautiful coastal city of Deauville. Founded in the 19th century by the Duke of Morny, Deauville was meant to be the “elegant kingdom” close to Paris, and is known for its architecture and beautiful beaches.
Farewell Evening Picnic
Students celebrate the end of a successful summer abroad and say their goodbyes over a typical French picnic along the Seine.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient, clean, and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (upgrade to private bedroom available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless internet. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance needs that may arise.
Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
Students choosing the homestay option will be placed with a local family, which could be an older couple or a family with children. SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a private bedroom in the family home with basic furnishings. Wifi is included, as is access to laundry facilities. Students opting for this more immersive housing get breakfast included as well as the option of a certain number of dinners per week (cost varies).
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned return from France.
Student Visas
In accordance with French law U.S. students studying in France for less than 90 days are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Other Schools in Paris
About SAI
SAI is dedicated to providing academic and cultural learning experiences abroad that enhance global awareness, professional development and social responsibility. We concentrate our programs in Europe, with a focus on in-depth learning of individual European countries and their unique global role in the geopolitical economy, humanities, and in the arts.