Next Steps

IMPORTANT: In addtion to the steps below, add saic-youth@saic.edu to your email contacts. This will prevent important information about your course from being sorted into your spam folder

Your SAIC email account is the key to accessing Canvas and other student resources. Your instructor will communicate with you through Canvas and your SAIC.edu email address. Check it regularly during the course.

To activate your SAIC email account, you will need to:

  • Locate your seven-digit SAIC ID number in your Registration Confirmation email.
  • If you are unable to locate your Registration Confirmation email, you may email cs@saic.edu or call 1.312.629.6170 during business hours (M-F 8:30-4:30 Central Time).
  • Go to password.artic.edu
  • Select Activate Account
  • Enter your 7-digit SAIC ID number
  • Enter your Last Name
  • Enter your Birthdate using this exact date format: DD-MMM (e.g., 22-FEB)
  • Select Activate

Your username is automatically assigned but you will create your own password, which must be alphanumeric and at least six characters. Record your account information for future reference. 

Visit gmail.artic.edu to login to your SAIC email with the username and password from above.

 

Canvas is SAIC’s online learning platform and will be the central resource for all of your course materials and communication with your instructors and peers. You will need to log in with your SAIC username and password. Complete the Canvas Student Orientation prior to the start of your session(s). Course pages for each class will be published in Canvas the weekend before a session begins.

CANVAS STUDENT ORIENTATION

Visit canvas.saic.edu or download the app for Android or Apple and log in using your SAIC username and password. Complete the virtual Canvas Student Orientation to get started.

NEED HELP? Contact the Canvas Support Team at canvas-help@saic.edu, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Zoom video conferencing will be used for your course. Download Zoom in advance of the first class.

All live sessions are scheduled in Central Time. Use World Time Buddy to compare Central Daylight Time with your current timezone.

NOTE: You will receive the link for the first Zoom session in the Welcome & Next Steps email from saic-youth@saic.edu in the days leading up to the start of class.

STUDENT SUPPLY LISTS

Students are responsible for purchasing their own art supplies.  Expect to spend $300-450 depending on whether the course meets for a half or full day.

Supply lists will be made available for ECPOSI classes on June 1st. Return to this page in June for a link Student Supply List Website. 

We recommend that you order these materials as soon as possible to allow for any shipping and handling delays. You may choose to purchase additional supplies depending on your unique projects.

TECHNOLOGY 

A computer is required to participate in all online classes. 

If enrolled in Animation and Video Projects, Design Projects, 2D Animation, or Visual Communication Design, you will be provided with an Adobe Creative Cloud License for the duration of the course. We recommend that you have a laptop that meets the minimum requirements for Adobe Creative Cloud. You must activate your SAIC email account in order to be given access to an adobe software license. Information on how to access this software will be emailed to your SAIC email account on the first day of your class.

The virtual orientation is mandatory for all students and will cover the following:

  • Program At-A-Glance
  • Daily Schedule
  • Technology, Safety, and Home Studio Set-up
  • Tips for Success
  • Added Program Benefits
  • Rights and Responsibilities & Student Handbook
  • Staff Contact Information

Watch the orientation 2022 here. Check back in April 2023 for new content. 

In addition to attending orientation, please view Early College Program Rights & Responsibilities and the Culture of Respect: Healthy Relationships and Sexual Misconduct Prevention training.

As part of the program, we will be talking about setting up home studio spaces. Below are common safety guidelines to keep in mind when converting a garage, basement, attic, bedroom, closet, or other space into a studio.

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

All artmaking tools and materials should be used according to the manufacturer-approved usages, in accordance with their recommendations and in usage scenarios that follow any/all Safety Data Sheet (SDS) precautions for the product. An SDS will outline details including ventilation requirements, safe storage protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) needs, and first aid emergency response.

AVOID TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 

Do not use toxic substances or processes if non-toxic alternatives are available. Preference no or low VOC products in small quantities and avoid powders and pigments that could contain silica or heavy metals. Do not undertake processes involving sharp tools, high voltages, or intense heat unless you have been explicitly trained to do so.

PROTECT YOURSELF 

  • Wear all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as advised by Tool or Product manufacturers. 
  • When no advice is obvious or explicit, cover your eyes at all times with comfortable, side protecting safety glasses. 
  • Do any work with products sold in a can, tube, or other container in a well-ventilated space. 
  • Only wear a respirator or dust mask if you have been properly fit for that respirator, and only if you are confident you are in adequate respiratory health to do so.

EXERCISE COMMON SENSE

  • Don’t undertake projects with tools on which you have never been trained.
  • Don’t assume the Internet will provide adequate training. 
  • Be thoughtful of the people and the environment around you and how your processes might affect them. 
  • Avoid doing things with tools or materials that they aren’t meant to do. 
  • If you are tired or distracted by something more interesting - go take a nap or pay full attention to the thing that actually has your attention.
  • Don’t underestimate small tools - A significant percentage of personal injuries in artmaking result from tools such as Exacto knives, box knives, chisels, hand-saws, small power tools, and even sewing needles. 

ALWAYS HAVE A SAFETY PLAN

No personal studio setup should be without a basic first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a way to call for help. Additionally, it’s a great practice to always let a parent or guardian know where you are and what you are doing in case of an emergency.

COMMUNICATION

Please make sure to provide an active email address during registration so we are able to communicate effectively. You may also need to check your junk/spam folder for these email alerts.

A staff member will be available to respond to emails regarding urgent concerns while ECP Online Summer Institue courses are in session.

Most concerns can be resolved effectively by email but if a phone call is needed, a staff member will call you in response to your email.

Youth Curriculum and Instruction Team (Programming) - saic-youth@saic.edu

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

To expedite assistance, include as much of the following information as you are able to.

  • Your first and last name as it appears on your Registration Confirmation email
  • Your 7-digit student ID number (included in your Registration Confirmation email)
  • The class you are taking, including when it is scheduled to start
  • A phone number you can be reached at

TIP: Include your instructor in your email to saic-youth@saic.edu. That way they will be aware that you are working on troubleshooting in order to connect with them for the first class. The contact information for your instructor will be provided to you in the Welcome & Next Steps email sent in the days leading up to the start of class.

ATTENDANCE AND SCHEDULING CONFLICTS

Students enrolled in the Early College Program Online Summer Institute are expected to attend all classes at the scheduled time.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is committed to full compliance with all laws regarding equal opportunities for students with disabilities. Parents/guardians of students with disabilities should call 312.629.6170 or email saic-youth@saic.edu for further information. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to provide any information that will ensure a positive experience for all participants. This information is confidential and only shared with program staff.

SAIC SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM

To sign up for SAIC's security alert system, please fill out the Parent Newsletter Request Form. Please note that parents cannot sign up for this unless their child is a current student; registration should be complete and a registration email will be sent to you with a student ID.

TRANSCRIPTS

Transcript requests can be made online, in person, and by mail or fax. Transcripts are not available until several weeks after the last class. Full details are available here.

ECP ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Make sure to like the Early College Program @ SAIC on Facebook and Instagram for extra information, instructor news, and images of work created in our programs.