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Discover Maine Media’s summer programs for high school students.

Latest Academy Updates:

Discover Maine Media’s 2024 Summer Program for Young Artists! Hear from past students and faculty members in this interactive virtual event. Online:Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 7:00 PM ET

Maine Media Academy: Join the Next Generation of Artists

For over 30 years the Maine Media Academy has been cultivating the next generation of artists through expert learning opportunities. Surrounded by peers who share your passion, be guided by working artists who encourage your creativity as they instruct you in the latest skills and techniques and help you create portfolio-level work.

Need more information? Have questions? We'd love to help!

A gateway for the study of lens-based art forms, visual storytelling, and design, the Academy at Maine Media prepares you for deeper personal and academic pursuits as you embark on a career in the media arts. And it all happens on the beautiful coast of Maine.

Scholarships are also available. For more information, please view our Young Artist Scholarships page.

If you have any questions about the program, don’t hesitate to call 877-577-7700, email [email protected], view our Frequently Asked Questions or request info using our online form.

The 2024 Maine Media Academy Program

The 2023 Summer Academy has closed. Sign up for updates on our 2024 Summer Academy.


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Dancing early bird Academy

Enjoy An Early Bird Discount of up to $1000!

Book before December 31st, 2023 and save $300 on any 2-week Academy workshop or $1000 for the 6-week summer school programs. Discounts will be applied automatically & cannot be combined with any other offers.

6-Week Summer Film School

June 24 – August 2, 2024

Dive into the world of filmmaking in our immersive 6-week Summer Film School for budding young filmmakers of all levels. The program consists of three 2-week workshops (see below) that can also be taken individually.

Tom Ryan June 24 – July 5, 2024 This workshop is a two-week immersion course in the fundamental skills of filmmaking for young adults and high school students who are interested in filmmaking and want to explore their creative curiosity, as well as gain a solid foundation in the processes and techniques of the art form.
Charlotte Hornsby July 8 – July 19, 2024 For young filmmakers looking to dive more deeply into the dynamics of individual expression in filmmaking.  Whether you are taking this class on its own or following the 2-Week Film School, you will be guided by a working filmmaker as you explore more advanced concepts of filmmaking and learn how to effectively use the camera and shot design in the service of visual storytelling.

Scott Sell July 22 – August 2, 2024

Explore how editing, sound design, effects, and color grading can take your film to a new level. In this workshop, aspiring filmmakers and editors will learn how to use the techniques of editing and post-production to create work that lands with impact.

6-Week Summer Photo School

June 24 – August 2, 2024

Explore the world of photography in Maine Media Academy’s 6-week Photo School! Our comprehensive program consists of three transformative 2-week workshops (see below), which can also be taken individually.

Kaitlin Santoro June 24 – July 5, 2024

This workshop is for young photographers wanting to explore and excel in digital photography. Learn the technical capabilities of digital camera functions, file management, Adobe Lightroom, printing, and image editing.

Kari Wehrs July 8 – July 19, 2024

Students leave this workshop with a complete single portfolio of work for college preparation or future photography work. Become proficient with the tools, technique, and experimentation which enables students to explore other level 2+3 workshops.

Renée Dennison July 22 – August 2, 2024

This two-week program is designed for high school students who are about to prepare their college portfolio submissions. Students leave this workshop with a portfolio of 10-15 images, and a greater understanding of the academic application process.

Book Arts & Design

Midcoast Maine Summer Arts Expedition

Jessica Hamilton-Jones July 22 – August 2, 2024

Dive into a summer of artistic exploration in Maine’s inspiring landscapes. Join fellow young artists on a two-week adventure where artistic traditions meet the crashing waves. Craft your own artist sketchbook, create mesmerizing scroll drawings, experiment with vibrant gelli-prints, and much more! Explore the estates of artists like Bernard Langlais, wander through museums, and marvel at lighthouses along the mid-coast. Whether you’re a budding artist or just starting your creative journey, this summer promises unforgettable experiences. Let the sea breeze ignite your creativity!

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About the Academy Program at Maine Media

Watch our latest virtual open house to learn more about the Academy program, hearing from past students and faculty.

Share your Passion with your Peers

Be inspired by other students who share your passion from around the country and the world. Start new friendships and network with your peers.

Summer Academy - Charles Haine_Young Cinematographers_4 By Darcy Aders

World Class Instruction

Maine Media instructors are talented industry professionals as well as experienced educators, and each works with a teaching assistant, providing additional support for their class. Students are given the opportunity to get out in the field and enjoy a hands-on experience with industry standard gear, software and expert guidance.

Young Artists Academy student enjoying a refreshing break from the Maine summer heat - Photo by Keri Wehrs

Field Trips in Beautiful Maine

We are located in coastal Maine, a sought-after summer holiday destination. Students attending the Summer Academy learn in remarkable locations and embark upon fun field trips to the beautiful lakes, mountains, forests, and islands that Maine has to offer. Weekend activities may include swimming, canoeing, bowling, movies, island trips, and hiking.

Brendan Uegama, cinematography intensive at Maine Media - Photo by Sebastiano Caccetta

Prepares you for Deeper Academic Pursuits

Whether you are wanting to learn new skills or produce content for your scholastic portfolio, our workshops give you the tools, knowledge, and hands-on experience that will help you build portfolio pieces for your college application, personal and business portfolio.

Maine Media Young Artist Academy group photo, 1988

Producing Filmmakers & Photographers Since 1987

The Summer Academy program at Maine Media has been at the forefront of young artists’ education since its inception over 36 years ago, providing a creative platform for teenagers to pursue their careers in the media arts industry. The longevity and success of the program are testaments to the caliber of instruction and learning outcomes it generates.

Stepping Stone to Alumni Success

Our young artists have gone on to become award-winning filmmakers and photographers and others have credited the program for helping them create work that has gained them admission to elite filmmaking and photography programs. A lot of students that have taken our workshops are now working professionals. View Alumni Success Stories.

Photo by Amanda Piela

Featured Student Work

Filmmaking

Lucas Kachadorian wrote and directed ‘The Walkman’ during the 2022 Film School workshop, in downtown Camden, Maine (just a stones throw away from campus).

Photography

Adam Dinjian completed the Scholastic Portfolio Development workshop, creating some amazing work that has since been used as a portfolio piece to apply for colleges and snag 2nd place in the 2022 Zeiss Precision Image Competition.

Featured Academy Alumni Success Story

Luke Lorentzen

Documentary Filmmaker, Cinematographer, Producer & Director

Advanced Young Filmmakers, 2009
Young Documentary Filmmakers, 2008

Luke Lorentzen is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and a graduate of Stanford University’s department of Art and Art History. His most recent film, Midnight Family, tells the story of a family-run ambulance business in Mexico City. The film has won over 35 awards from film festivals and organizations around the world including a Special Jury Award for Cinematography at the Sundance Film Festival, Best Editing from the International Documentary Association, and the Golden Frog for Best Documentary from Camerimage. Midnight Family was shortlisted for the 2020 Best Documentary Oscar and was a New York Times Critics’ Pick’.

Recently, Lukes’s documentary ‘A Still Small Voice’, won the Directing Award: US Documentary at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

“Maine Media is where I made my first documentary. It was a life-changing week of intense and focused work with an incredible group of mentors and fellow budding filmmakers.”

Luke’s other work as a director and cinematographer includes the Netflix original series, Last Chance U, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Serialized Sports Documentary. With Kellen Quinn, Luke is a co-founder of Hedgehog Films. His interest in the documentary form was sparked in his teens when he took a workshop for young artists at Maine Media Workshops. He currently lives in San Francisco.

Watch the trailer to Luke’s documentary film Midnight Family.

Midnight Family has won over 35 awards.

Maine Media Academy FAQs

Have a question? Want more information? Ask us!

The Summer Academy is for teens aged between 14-18 who want to learn new skills, get hands-on experience, and produce content for their scholastic portfolio or pursue a career in photography, filmmaking or book arts & design. Many of our Academy students have utilized their time at Maine Media to create the stepping stones needed to become successful artists.

Each workshop runs for 2 weeks, is capped at $3995 USD, and includes accommodation, access to campus amenities, transportation once the workshop has begun, meals (including a lobster dinner!), Resident Advisors, Teacher’s Assistants, and tuition. There are also Young Artist scholarships available.

Students can take advantage of our special pricing which is available for students taking more than one workshop. Email [email protected] for more information.

We recommend students have access to $150 over the two-week period for incidentals, snacks, movies, field trips etc. You can view the Summer Academy workshops currently on offer here.

Yes! Maine Media offers numerous scholarships for potential Academy students. Please view the Young Artist scholarships page to learn more about their purpose, opportunities, and application process.

Students may request a transcript to be sent to their high school for possible credit by emailing [email protected].

The Summer Academy is located at Maine Media’s campus: 70 Camden Street, Rockport, Maine 04856. Detailed travel information is included in the student acceptance packet. Please find an overview of travel options below and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any travel questions – we’re here to help.

If You Drive:
Getting to Rockport is relatively easy. Rockport is halfway up the Maine coast – easy to find – just off Route 1, 80 miles north of Portland, between Camden and Rockland. By car, Rockport is less than a two-hour drive from Portland, less than four hours from Boston, eight hours from New York and Montreal.

If You Fly:
Delta, Jet Blue, American, Southwest, Frontier, Cape Air, Elite and United all service Portland Jetport (PWM) with several flights daily. We recommend flying through Portland Jetport, then renting a car or catching a bus.

Bangor International Airport (BGR) is another option, though flight options are often fewer and more expensive. The drive time from Bangor to Rockport is similar to Portland, under two hours.

Cape Air offers frequent commuter flights each day between Boston’s Logan Airport and the nearby Knox County Airport (RKD), just 20 minutes from Maine Media. Taxis are available to drive you to Rockport.

Rental Cars:
All the major rental agencies have a presence at the Portland Jetport. Avis, Budget and Enterprise are available in Rockland.

If You Take the Bus:
Rockport is served by Concord Coachlines with daily summer service to Camden/Rockport from both Boston and Portland. Be sure to book the Maine Coastal Route into CAMDEN / ROCKPORT (not Rockland!). Please visit Concord Coachline’s website for up-to-date information or call 1.800.639.3317.

If You Take the Train:
AMTRAK currently operates between Boston’s North Station and Portland. From Portland, you can then connect to Concord Coachlines (see above), though scheduling can be difficult.

Yes! During their stay, Resident Advisors (RAs) supervise the students when not in class and help make group decisions about weekend activities, including swimming, bowling, movies, and hiking. There are many awesome activities to do in the midcoast of Maine during the summer!

Yes! During the week, all meals are provided and taken together in the dining facilities directly across the street. Weekend meals are taken in the local economy and transported by the RA’s – or sometimes do cookouts. This cost is included in the tuition package. Parents may indicate any special dietary needs upon registration.

Students also have access to snacks and drinks throughout the day when on campus.

A lobster dinner is served (there are other choices) on the last Friday night of each workshop, and all Maine Media students gather for an evening presentation of highlights from the week’s work. Parents are welcome to attend, and meal tickets may be purchased in the Registration Office on-campus or by emailing [email protected].

Everything here is informal, just focus on what makes you comfortable and ready to make work! Note that we provide each student with a list of what to bring in our comprehensive acceptance packet. We recommend bringing appropriate layers (In May, June, and September the days are usually cool with chilly evenings. The days in July and August are usually pretty warm), sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, a bathing suit, laptop, medicines (please see acceptance packet for more details on bringing medicines).

Some workshops will have special gear lists–we usually send those out about two weeks before the start of a workshop. If you ever have questions about what to bring, just ask!

Check-in is on Sunday, between 4 and 6pm and departure is on Saturday morning before 11am. This and more comprehensive information is provided in each student’s acceptance packet.

We look forward to welcoming you this summer! Sign up today!