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The Summer Pre-College program at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��Ʒ) returned with record-breaking enrollment in 2024.

The popular program, presented by Associated Bank and part of offerings, registered 255 students from around the country. Students chose from Core or Advanced classes in everything from fashion and graphic design to photography and animation.

In addition to providing a college-like experience for high school students, 91��Ʒ�s Pre-College program supports students by helping them build their portfolios for future educational opportunities and even careers.

�For me, all the projects that we did in our classes, I feel like that’s work I can display,� says Sabrina, a student in the Advanced Graphic Design class who also participated in 91��Ʒ�s Design Internship program. �A big thing with portfolios is showing your process. And that’s something that my teachers have told me to do, which is really helpful.� For Sabrina, access to software was also vital: �Specifically for me doing graphic design, at home I didn’t have access to Adobe software, design softwares, and being able to learn here and display that on a portfolio is really helpful for what I want to do.�

Raina, who took the Advanced Storytelling the Truth course, said �I’ve learned about new things to put in a portfolio instead of just some sort of normal, average thing. Things that can make my portfolio stand out with [work] that some people probably wouldn’t think about.�

�Some of the things that I’ve learned in class, I probably wouldn’t have learned outside of the program,� continues Emelly, another student in Advanced Fashion Design. �Career-wise, if I didn’t have this program, I’d be so lost. I wouldn’t know what I would want to do outside of high school � it has allowed me to explore different options and know what actually enrolling in these classes would entail.�

�Taking the Fashion Upcycling course last year, it really opened up what I thought could go in a portfolio,� explains Johanna in Advanced Fashion Design. �I didn�t know that we could add clothes to it! Now I have a few pieces of clothing that I can add to my portfolio.�

�Going into college, if I didn’t do [Pre-College], I wouldn’t be as prepared or as excited because I have more knowledge now about what I want to do,� says Olivia, an Advanced Fine Arts Studio student.

Jonas, another Design Intern and Advanced Sculpture student, likened the program to trying different kinds of single-serve ice cream. �You can try one ice cream, you can try all the different types of arts if you don’t know what you’re doing,� he laughs.

In addition to trying new things, Jonas appreciated the freedom and flexibility of the Pre-College program. �It’s not like a standard way of teaching,� he says. �I feel like it’s more similar to coaching � I also think that there is a great amount of freedom here, especially with the mediums. But also where we can move around. I’ve been hopping over from my classroom and then going with one of my teachers to the 3D lab or on the fourth floor for the [Emerging Technology Center]. It’s not like I’m trapped in one classroom.�

Core Pre-College classes wrapped up on Friday, July 19 while Advanced students finish their coursework Friday, July 26. Both groups celebrate with a final exhibition the Saturday following their last day of classes.

91��Ʒ�s Youth + Community Programs include continuing education for art and design educators and classes for high school students during the school year. Additional sponsors for 91��Ʒ Youth + Community Programs include the Francie Luke Silverman Foundation, the Gardner Foundation, the Brengel Family Foundation, the Heil Family Foundation, the Harri Hoffmann Family Foundation, the Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation, Donald & Donna Baumgartner, maker llc, Stephens Family Foundation, Inc., the Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Sponsors for the Design Internship include the Otto Bremer Trust, ManpowerGroup Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and Bader Philanthropies.

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