Apply to Ryman Arts

Ryman Arts offers FREE advanced studio art program that is designed to help you achieve your dreams by strengthening your art skills, and preparing you for college, and for a career in the arts.

At Ryman Arts you will:

  • Learn foundation drawing and painting skills in rigorous classes to develop your talent.

  • Work with professional teaching artists in small classes with other serious art students.

  • Build your portfolio for college applications and exhibit your work publicly.

  • Explore the arts through guest artists and museum field trips. 

  • Engage in college and career planning workshops. 

Eligibility: Anyone who will be enrolled in high school (grades 9 – 12) for the semester they are applying for is eligible.

Acceptance: The Ryman Arts application process is competitive, with an acceptance rate around 50%. Applications are reviewed based on evidence of skill and motivation. Ryman Arts strives to create a diverse class of students from schools throughout Southern California.

Cost: All classes are free of charge. If selected, you will receive a full scholarship that covers the cost of instruction, art supplies, and field trips. Public transportation reimbursement and passes are available. 

Locations: Saturdays at California State University, Fullerton and Sundays at Otis College of Art & Design, in Los Angeles. Summer weekdays at University of Southern California.

Class times: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM or 1:00 to 4:30 PM

Questions? Email us at info@ryman.org or call (213) 629-2787

Information Sessions

Learn more about Ryman Arts by joining us on Zoom for our Information Sessions. We will give a presentation about the Ryman Arts program, give lots of tips on how to have a successful application, and of course answer all your questions! This event is for potential applicants, parents, families and teachers.

Upcoming Information Sessions:

  • Thursday, March 20, 7:00 – 8:00 PM PST

  • Sunday, April 6, 11 AM – 12:00 PM PST

  • Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 – 8:00 PM PST (Spanish Session)

  • Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 – 8:00 PM PST

Application Day

Learn more about Ryman Arts, see where our classes take place on the Cal State Fullerton campus, and make a drawing that you can use for your application under the instruction of a Ryman Arts faculty member. This event is great for students in 8th - 11th grade who plan to apply for the fall semester, and parents and teachers who would like to learn more about the program and ask questions.

Application Deadline for the Summer and Fall 2025 semesters: Wednesday, May 14 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

Please read the following before applying:

1.    Make two pencil drawings done from observation.
Submit two drawings made with graphite pencil on paper of any size. The drawings should be of something you look at in real life. For example, you could draw the inside of your room, the view out your window, a group of objects, or yourself while looking in a mirror (not while looking at a photo).  Do NOT draw from a screen, photograph, or your imagination.

How to set up a still life (video resource)

How to draw a still life (video resource)

2.    Prepare your Essay.   
Answer the following questions individually or in Essay form: 

Why are you applying to Ryman Arts?

How would you benefit from the experience?

Describe your future goals as an artist. 

Describe your previous art education challenges or obstacles you had to overcome in pursuing your work as an artist. 

Include anything else you would like us to know about you.

3.    Ask for a teacher recommendation and teacher email. 
Recommendation letter must come from a teacher or school counselor.

4.    Complete your application form (PDF) and and e-mail it to pesquivel@ryman.org, or hand-deliver or mail to the Ryman Arts offices. Or, complete the online application form here.

5.    All drawings must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Ryman Arts office at 1933 S. Broadway, 11th floor, Suite 1138, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

Application Deadline for Summer and Fall 2025 Semester
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT

To receive email updates on Applying to Ryman Arts or the application deadline, submit your email here.

PROCESO DE SOLICITUD

Ryman Arts brinda un programa avanzado de estudio  de arte de manera gratuita; el programa está diseñado  para ayudarte a lograr tus sueños fortaleciendo tus habilidades artísticas y preparándote para la  universidad y para una carrera en las artes.

Presentation de el programa y proceso de solicitud.  (información en español/PDF)

Sesión Informativa

¡Aprende sobre nuestro programa de arte de estudio para artistas de secundaria!

Miercoles 23 de abril. 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. En Español.

¿Preguntas?  info@ryman.org o llame al (213) 629-2787

CÓMO APLICAR

Por favor lea lo siguiente antes de aplicar:

Entregar dos dibujos a lápiz graffito.
Los dibujos deben ser de observacion.

Prepara tu ensayo integral.

Solicitar una recomendación de parte de uno/a maestro/a y su correo electrónico.

Rellenar y envia la solicitud (PDF) y enviar por correo electrónico a pesquivel@ryman.org, o complete el formulario en línea aquí.

Los dos dibujos deberá enviarse por correo o entregarse a la oficina de Ryman Arts ubicado en 1933 S. Broadway, 11th floor, Suite 1138, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

Fecha límite para solicitar a verano y otoño de 2025
14 de Mayo de 2025 a las 11:59 PM PT