Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) in Art and Design

APSI Studio Art and Design Online Session 1: July 28–August 1 with M. Colleen Harrigan and Michael x. Ryan
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT
Registration deadline: July 21
Register for APSI Session 1

APSI Studio Art and Design Online Session 2: August 4–8 with M. Colleen Harrigan and Michael x. Ryan
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT
Registration deadline: July 28
Register for APSI Session 2 

Program Fee: $1,386—Includes one graduate credit and all AP course materials. (Please note: SAIC will be emailing digital APSI materials directly to attendees.)

“[The class] was extremely informative. The instructors were engaged and willing to address any student needs. They walked us through the AP College Board process, which gave us initial steps to begin our AP instructor journeys.”

— APSI Art and Design participant, 2024

Our AP* Summer Institutes go beyond professional development to provide a unique combination of seminar sessions and hands-on collaborative studio activities that revitalize teachers and focus on the importance of contemporary art practice in the high school art room. More than simply explaining the AP* Art and Design program requirements and portfolio scoring methods, experienced arts educators and skillful consultants facilitate meaningful opportunities for peer dialogue, discussion of new media affects on AP*, up-to-date information on digital upload, and inspiration for developing curricula specific to the three portfolios: drawing, 2D design, and 3D design.

M. Colleen Harrigan is a dedicated visual art professional committed to teaching and learning. She serves in various capacities, including Educator, Mentor, Question Leader for the AP Art and Design Portfolio, Lead Faculty Consultant for AP Art and Design, and AP Art and Design Online Community Moderator.

While her academic foundation is firmly grounded in the visual arts, Colleen's true passion is teaching. Currently, she teaches at the Page School, guiding students on their creative journeys and offering support to fellow educators through professional development initiatives.

As a lifelong learner, Colleen is deeply committed to personal growth and exploration. She is enthusiastic about collaborating with others in both artistic and educational pursuits. If you're seeking a dedicated colleague for your creative and educational endeavors, Colleen welcomes the opportunity to work and learn alongside you.

Michael x. Ryan is a visual artist and educator that has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) for the last 30 years. As a faculty member in Arts Administration + Policy and the department of Contemporary Practices, Ryan has developed many undergraduate and foundations courses over the years. As an administrator and faculty member at SAIC, the meeting of different generations of artists/designers is a daily inspiration to the studio. Ryan has worked with the AP* Studio Art program for over 20 years, is currently a Question Leader at the AP* Studio Art Portfolio Reading, and for five years was Co-Chair of the College Board AP Studio Art Development Committee.

In his studio practice, Ryan attempts to record the fleeting residue of the human presence by realizing the interconnectedness of bodies and places while magnifying the minutia of a life lived. Ryan’s work has been exhibited widely in the United States. His work has been acquired by a number of collections, such as The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY, along with many others.

*Advanced Placement, AP, College Board, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.

SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday

9:00–11:30 a.m. CT (2.5 hours)
Synchronous instruction with full group and small breakout groups.

11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. CT (2.5 hours)
Asynchronous instruction/office hours, consisting of short studio activities that relate to and interact with the synchronous instruction that day.

3:00–5:00 p.m. CT (2 hours)
Synchronous instruction with full group and small breakout groups.

SAIC will be emailing APSI materials directly to attendees.

Electronic Materials Contain:

• The Course and Exam Description (CED)
• There is no time limit on access to the electronic materials once they have been downloaded and saved.
• Purchase orders should be made out to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Please send a purchase order and invoice inquiries to Scott Whitlock.

APSI Art and Design drop requests must be submitted in writing to cs@saic.edu and include the student's name, ID number, and course information. The date the request is received in writing is the date used to calculate the refund amount.

• In order to adapt to online course delivery and to allow time for shipping materials, we have adjusted our usual drop deadlines.
• 100 percent refunds may be issued on or before these dates: 
  • APSI Art and Design Session 1 - July 21
  • APSI Art and Design Session 2 - July 28
• No refunds will be issued after the dates above.

Note: Refunds take approximately four to six weeks to process, depending on payment type.