College Arts Access Program

The College Arts Access Program (CAAP) is a three-year program for Chicago Public Schools students entering in the fall of their sophomore year. Designed to help students develop their creative voice, explore across disciplines, and gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed at SAIC, other art and design schools, or any college-level program, CAAP combines rigorous coursework with mentorship, community, and hands-on learning.

CAAP students take courses through SAIC’s Early College Program (ECP), earning college credits while still in high school, learning directly from working artists and designers, and exploring their own ideas through interdisciplinary projects. The program also provides significant financial support, covering courses, meals, transportation, and art supplies.

CAAP students who apply and are accepted into SAIC's undergraduate program are eligible for special scholarships and campus jobs.

The College Arts Access program is made possible by the generous support of the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation.

Four women sit in chairs on the set of a daytime talk show

President Emeritus Elissa Tenny appeared on WGN Chicago with student Grace Chen to discuss the successes of the College Arts Access Program. Read more

Benefits of Participating in CAAP

At CAAP, your ideas matter, your creativity is celebrated, and your potential is limitless.

Earn college credits: Up to 6 credits for free, giving you a head start on college-level coursework.
Mentorship: Work alongside SAIC undergraduate and graduate students who guide your creative growth and share insights into college and the art world.
Co-curricular experiences: National Portfolio Day, mentor-led lunches, and field trips to Chicago museums and cultural centers (MCA, Field Museum, Chicago Cultural Center).
College prep: Workshops and presentations for students and caregivers to support every step of the college application process.
Community: Build lifelong relationships with your cohort, mentors, and SAIC instructors while exploring your creativity and collaborating across disciplines.
Support provided: Meals, transportation (Ventra passes), and art supplies each term.

CAAP Testimonial

CAAP 2025 Highlights

A wall at the CAAP 2025 Senior Exhibition, featuring multiple art works hanging on the wall and two mannequins wearing student work.

A wide shot of the 2025 CAAP Senior Exhibition, featuring multiple artworks hanging on a white wall and a table with an SAIC table cloth.

A group of five students stand looking at artwork on a wall.

Students sit in tables arranged in a circle in a classroom, working on art projects.

A group of students sit in a classroom using pottery wheels.

A group of CAAP students stand outside in front of a Frida Kahlo wall mural.

A group of CAAP students stand outside in front of a while facing the camera.

CAAP students sit in a rainbow hallway shaped as a keyhole.

A group of CAAP students sit while wearing graduation caps, looking toward the front of the room.

A close-up shot of the back of a student's graduation cap, that says CAAP 2025.

A student wearing a graduation cap and holding flowers shakes hands with an administrator.

Contact Us

Continuing Studies staff members are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CT at 312.629.6170 or caap@saic.edu to answer your questions. We are here to help!