About Us

Our History

Since 1987, Putney Summer Arts has welcomed a diverse community of young artists and arts professionals to the Putney School campus each summer. Located on a working farm in Southern Vermont, we provide an intimate space where students passionate about the arts receive support and inspiration to focus on furthering their artistic practice and learning. Our teachers are experienced educators and practicing artists, many of whom return year after year. Summer Arts is a community of young artists, arts educators, and professionals who believe teens can be their truest selves through the making of art in an environment where learning collaboratively and taking risks is celebrated.

Our Campus

Our Programs

Putney Summer Arts started as a combination of arts and writing summer workshops for teens. We have grown to offer three programs: two programs for teenagers that focus on fostering artistic growth and expression, and one program for adults looking to deepen their knowledge of their craft through a valuable professional development opportunity.

Teen Workshops

3-Week
I
mmersive

June 30 – July 19

Teen Workshops

1-Week
Intensive

July 21 – July 26

Teen Workshops

Apply for
Both

June 30 – July 26

Adult Workshops

1-Week
Development

August 4 – August 10

The Putney School

Putney Summer Arts is a part of The Putney School, a co-educational boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Since our founding in 1935, we have been a model for progressive education. We practice “learning by doing” and encourage students to play an active role in shaping their own education. As a Summer Arts participant you will have the opportunity to spend your summer fully immersed in the Putney lifestyle, which supports the arts as a necessary part of everyday life.

Our continued commitment to integrated curricula, sustainability, and student leadership have put Putney at the leading edge of education in the United States.

Equity and Inclusion

We stand firmly against racism in its many forms, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, communities of color, and the fight against systemic racial injustice.