When Fallingwater was constructed, Edgar Kaufmann, jr. was a young man who had explored several potential career paths ranging from studio art to architecture at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship. His trial and error approach to career exploration combined with time spent at Fallingwater led him to his successful career as a curator and professor of art and architecture history.
High School Residencies at Fallingwater honor Kaufmann’s legacy by providing opportunities for students to participate in immersive studio-based learning, career exploration, creative expression and self-discovery in a collaborative, supportive environment at Fallingwater’s remarkable site.
Features
- Architecture and design exercises with hands-on drawing and design projects inspired by Fallingwater
- In-depth, scholarly discussions and applications of Wright’s principles of organic architecture
- Career exploration
Program Sessions
Eligibility
High school students and gap year students are eligible to apply. No previous design experience is required. Students curious about careers in creative fields, such as architecture, design, and visual art are strongly encouraged to apply. Enrollment is limited. Applications are reviewed and accepted in the order they are received.
Scholarships
A limited number of full and partial, need-based scholarships are available for tuition to High School Residencies. Please complete the following application to be considered for a scholarship: https://fallingwater.formstack.com/forms/fallingwater_institute_scholarships
Please note that scholarships are available to cover the cost of tuition only. Tuition includes housing, meals, materials, and instruction. Scholarships do not cover the cost of travel or other expenses.
Program Sessions
High School Residency: Studio 1
June 26 - June 30, 2023
High School Residency: Studio 1 is for students in grades 9 through 12 who are curious about careers in design, architecture or the visual arts. Program activities include individual and collaborative projects, drawing, model-making exercises, and drawing sessions in and around Fallingwater. Led by professional teaching architects and artists, High School Residencies provide an opportunity for students to examine and explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s ideas while living and studying at Fallingwater’s remarkable site.
Unable to travel to Fallingwater this year? Consider Virtual Summer Camp: Drawing by Hand!
High School Residency: Portfolio Studio
July 10 - July 14, 2023
A successful portfolio is a compilation of work that conveys your creative vision and skill while also serving as an expression of your identity and ideas. Learn how to assemble and present a portfolio that communicates your unique skills, personality, and point-of-view. Spend a week immersed at Fallingwater and its beautiful site while creating original, portfolio-worthy pieces in a collaborative studio environment. High School Residency: Portfolio Prep is for students in grades 9 through 12 who are considering college and careers in creative fields. All ability-levels are welcome.
Unable to travel to Fallingwater this year? Consider Virtual Summer Camp: Portfolio Prep!
High School Residency: Studio 2
July 31 - August 4, 2023
High School Residency: Studio 2 is for students in grades 11 or 12 who are preparing for admission to an architecture, design or art school. During the five-day intensive skill-building program, students will create original, portfolio-worthy work. This course is led by a licensed teaching architect, who will guide studio explorations that are comparable to a first-year studio foundation course, which is a typical requirement in undergraduate programs in architecture, design and visual art. Students will enjoy access to Fallingwater and opportunities for reflective writing and sketching from observation.
Unable to travel to Fallingwater this year? Consider Virtual Summer Camp: Drawing by Hand!
High School Residency: Biophilic Design Studio
July 24 - July 28, 2023
Today’s architects, designers, and artists continue to draw inspiration from Wright’s innovative ideas about designing in harmony with nature. Discover how Wright’s philosophy continues to inspire present day architects’ ideas about innovation, sustainability, and biophilic design. High School residents will participate in hands-on, studio-based exploration of Fallingwater and create portfolio-worthy work during this immersive education program.
For more information, contact fallingwaterinstitute@paconserve.org.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
If you cancel your registration for a one-day workshop any time up to 30 days before the day of the program, you will receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee.
If you cancel your registration for a multi-day program (residencies, Insight/Onsite, etc.) any time up to 30 days before the first day of the program, you will receive a refund minus a $50 processing fee and a $150 cancellation fee.
If you cancel less than 30 days before the first day of a Fallingwater Institute program, refunds are not available.
COVID-19 Update: Masking is optional but always welcome. Complimentary masks are available to all participants. We will carefully and continually monitor the situation in our region and make adjustments to our COVID-19 requirements as needed. Any changes to the requirements will be shared with you prior to the date of the program.