Courses | School of the Art Institute of Chicago

College Arts Access Program Courses

Explore the CAAP program's curriculum more deeply!

CAAP students enroll in courses offered through SAIC’s Early College Program (ECP) and Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI): saic.edu/ecp. The CAAP curriculum is designed as a three-year program (students enter in the fall of their sophomore year) to prepare students with the skills needed for admission to and success at SAIC, another school of art and design, or any post-secondary institution.

Year 1 (Sophomore)

Semester	Program	Schedule	Noncredit/Credit	Course
Fall: October - December	Early College Program	10 Weeks, Three Hours Per Week, Sat. or Sun.	Noncredit	Inside InnovativeMinds
Spring: February - April	Early College Program	10 Weeks, Three Hours Per Week, Sat. or Sun.	Noncredit	Artist Materials and Techniques
Summer: June, July, August	Early College Program	One-Week Session, Mon–Fri (9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.) OR Two-Week Session, Mon–Fri (9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. or 1:00– 4:00 p.m.)	Noncredit	Elective (Student's Choice with Assistance from Advisor)

Year 2 (Junior)

Semester	Program	Schedule	Noncredit/Credit	Course
Fall: October-December	Early College Program	10 Weeks, Three Hours Per Week, Sat. or Sun.	1 Credit	Elective (Student's Choice)
Spring: February - April	Early College Program	10 Weeks, Three Hours Per Week, Sat. or Sun.	1 Credit	Elective (Student's Choice)
Summer: June, July	Early College Program	Two-Week Session, Mon - Fri (9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.) and T/Th (6:00–8:00 p.m.). Residential program (Students live in SAIC Residence Hall).	2 Credits	Elective (Student's Choice)

Year 3 (Senior)

Semester	Program	Schedule	Noncredit/Credit	Course
Fall: October - December	Early College Program	10 Weeks, Three Hours Per Week, Sat. or Sun.	1 Credit	Advanced Projects
Spring: February - April	Early College Program	10 Weeks, Three Hours Per Week, Sat. or Sun.	1 Credit	Capstone Course: Exhibition Prep

Required CAAP Courses

Inside Innovative Minds: In this course, students explore diverse contemporary practices through an interactive presentation series, including studio visits with Chicago’s leading art historians, artists, designers, writers, and other creative professionals. Each presenter discusses their practice, followed by a guided workshop that asks students to respond through various exercises ranging from art-making to performance to writing.

Artist Materials and Techniques: Students are exposed to what is happening right now in the art world and are able to experiment with a variety of methods, which may include drawing, sculpture, image transfer, collage, laser cutting, and/or 3D printing. The course starts out with several smaller exercises and demos combined with discussion to help students develop a larger final project that reflects their individual interests.

Advanced Projects: Students in this advanced level course spend much of their time working in the media of their choice (drawing, painting, sculpture, video, performance, photo, installation, etc.) with an emphasis on interdisciplinary practice. With faculty guidance and peer engagement, students create strong, portfolio-quality work, develop an artist statement, practice for National Portfolio Day, and learn how to best (re)present their work.

Exhibition Prep: In addition to in-class examinations of what an exhibition can be and its impact on how artwork is viewed/received, students organize and assemble their own exhibition: from marketing to presentation choices to artist statements to installation to opening reception. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago, SAIC Galleries, SITE Galleries, the Cultural Center, and other Chicago venues help inform discussion and research. This final exhibition organized by the students celebrates the completion of the CAAP program.

Interested in seeing the type of work our CAAP students have made? Check out the CAAP 2021 final exhibition site!

Contact Us

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