Summer at Skidmore, ‘a magical, lucky place’
As spring flowers give way to the full vibrancy of summer on the Skidmore campus, jam sessions begin to grace the Arthur Zankel Music Center balcony and long, leisurely picnics adorn Case Green. Students from the Summer Jazz Institute make their way to rehearsals, while others zip by on bikes, infusing Skidmore with a new and lively rhythm.
“Skidmore is a magical, lucky place” during the summer, brimming with activity and opportunity, notes Matthew Straus ’95, an alum and benefactor of Skidmore’s New York State Writers Institute.
See Skidmore's magic in action
From special programming at the Tang Museum to the thrill of innovative student-professor research projects, Skidmore offers a diverse array of stimulating programs and cultural experiences, creating a campus environment of continuous learning where Creative Thought Matters all year long.
The buzz on campus is only matched by the tempo of bustling downtown Saratoga Springs, which draws thousands of visitors to Saratoga Springs for a summer of ice cream, horse races, and festivals. The season also brings world-class performers to the stage of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), the summer home to the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra, and host to many other exceptional cultural offerings.
Intrigued? Read on for some of the many highlights of a summer at Skidmore:
Summer Courses — A selection of unique and innovative courses available to Skidmore students, offering opportunities to advance and enhance their academic plan. With a diverse range of options, from Elementary Italian courses to a Human Genetics course, students frequently choose Skidmore’s summer sessions to further enrich and support their goals.
Pre-College Program — Skidmore opens its doors to high school students through its Pre-College Program, providing them with valuable immersion in both rigorous academics and a vibrant campus life. Participants have the unique opportunity to learn from college professors in subjects that pique their interest and engage with current college students who are pursuing their dream majors.
The Jazz Institute — A program that brings approximately 65 students to the Skidmore campus for advanced musicianship training, which DOWNBEAT Magazine has praised as a “nonpareil destination for attentive and engaged instruction in the art of improvisation.” Enrolled students also participate in weekly concerts open to the public.
The New York State Summer Writers Institute — A workshop-based writers' residency that brings together writers from across the United States to exchange ideas and learn from one another, guided by renowned instructors such as Philip Lopate and Henri Cole.
Students conduct collaborative research at the Skidmore Analytical Interdisciplinary Laboratory (SAIL), a suite of modern instrumentation for chemical analysis.
Collaborative Research — Imagine spending the summer uncovering Revolutionary War-era secrets through an archaeological dig, or applying your coursework to impactful real-life projects, such as Alzheimer’s research. For either 5 or 10 weeks each summer, students can collaborate with faculty on summer research projects. Whether continuing a project or starting a new initiative, this hands-on experience allows them to advance further with expert guidance.
Summer Academic Institute — A five-week bridge program designed to ease the transition from high school to college for first-year students admitted through the Opportunity Program. The Institute helps students acclimate to college life and build early friendships with fellow incoming students. Participants can explore the Saratoga area through guided trips to local attractions, including the movies, the farmers market, nearby Lake George, and more.
— The on-campus museum becomes a hub of activity during the summer, hosting Juneteenth celebrations, new exhibit openings, and July Upbeat on the Roof concerts, all open to the public. Frances Day, its annual community open house, celebrates art, art-making, food, and music and honors the museum’s namesake Frances Young Tang ’61.
The Tang Teaching Museum celebrated Juneteenth with a full program of crafting, musical performances, and storytelling.
The Storytellers' Institute — This residency organized by the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS) offers visiting documentarians and students the chance to spend four weeks developing storytelling projects across various media. Participants work in a collaborative environment alongside fellow students and visiting artists, fostering a supportive community.
In addition, the annual Palamountain Benefit, which supports Skidmore scholarships, is a mainstay of the Saratoga Springs social scene. Campus also hosts numerous external programs, including the Mostly Modern Festival, a music festival dedicated to contemporary classical music; a variety of summer camps; the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Program; and many other workshops, conferences, and gatherings.
Skidmore's campus celebrated all things Pride in honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month on Porter Plaza in June.
The eclectic blend of Skidmore's bustling summer campus and the vibrant scene of downtown Saratoga Springs enhances the unique Skidmore summer experience, creating an environment that nurtures growth, sparks creativity, and ignites a lifelong passion for learning. Whether you are a current student, an aspiring high schooler, or a visitor, summer at Skidmore promises an unforgettable journey of discovery and inspiration.
