Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is a premier arts summer camp for children in the New York metropolitan area. Diverse and playfully rigorous from the start, for over fifty years Usdan has brought world-class teachers and visiting artists – actors, directors, playwrights, painters, sculptors, musicians, composers, dancers, poets and novelists – to teach and collaborate with our campers ages 5 to 18. Our arts summer camp is set on an idyllic 140-acre woodland campus in Long Island, dotted with open-air studios and performance spaces designed to inspire creativity, collaboration and experimentation. Campers choose to “major” and “minor” in artistic disciplines such as painting, music, theater or dance, or photography. The Usdan experience is unique among arts summer camps around NYC, as it brings together the rigor of artistic practice and the playfulness of a classic summer camp, with places to swim, play sports, and practice yoga and archery. It is no surprise that many campers choose to return year after year to continue their creative journeys in Usdan’s safe and welcoming environment.
Please create an account and sign in to submit your application. We’ll keep you updated about the Uniquely U process and other Usdan news. We welcome submissions from visual artists, performing artists, creative writers, and nature & sustainability enthusiasts. Each submission should be the original work of an individual artist and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person and must not violate any law. No duets or ensemble work accepted.
The Poet in U Scholarship
CALLING ALL CREATIVE WRITERS and POETS
- Are U a Poet?
- Do U live in NYC or Long Island?
- Are U currently in grades 4–12?
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is kicking off The Poet in U Scholarship search — and we want U to apply!
Usdan’s newest scholarship, The Poet in U is a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and voice. Show us your unique voice that exists on and off the page, and you could be selected to receive a full 4-week scholarship including busing (valued at $6,050) to Usdan for the Summer 2025 season (June 30 to July 25).
Along with the official title and a scholarship award, The Poet in U gets both high-level performance and learning opportunities from the creative writing teaching artist faculty.
We welcome submissions of all forms of poetry. Each submission should be the original work of an individual artist and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity, or other intellectual property or other rights of any person. No collaborative work will be accepted.
Rules & Eligibility
Who is eligible to submit for The Poet in U Inaugural Scholarship?
- Anyone currently in grades 4-12 living in the New York City and Long Island areas for Summer 2025. Current and new Usdan students are welcome to apply!
When and how can poets apply?
Eligible poets can apply beginning January 21, 2025. Submit the following form.
- Contact information
- A portfolio of 3 poems in a PDF or Word Doc
- Answer in a brief paragraph: Why would you like to attend Usdan? What would you like to do with what you learn here?
What does the The Poet in U Inaugural Laureate win?
Pre-season and in-season perks include:
- Receive a 4-week scholarship to Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts valued at $6,050 to attend Usdan from June 30–July 25, 2025 and major in Spoken Word & Poetry during our 4A Session. Bus transportation is included in the full scholarship.
- The opportunity to join other selected finalists at Usdan for a live reading and celebration on Sunday, April 27, 2025
- Additional opportunities to give readings of their work throughout the year, including at a Usdan Festival during the Summer 2025 season, and at the Usdan ReUnion Show in September 2025
- A Usdan Creative Writing Department T-shirt
What else should I know about this contest?
- 10-12 total applicants will be selected as finalists for the scholarship and will be invited to the live reading and celebration on Sunday, April 27.
- 2 total winners will be selected one from our Junior Division (grades 4-6) and Senior Division (grades 6-12)
Our Music Merit Scholarship Program is open to young instrumentalists and vocalists in grades 2–12.
Audition results will be shared on a rolling basis but not more than three weeks after auditions.
AUDITION & APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should prepare about 5-10 minutes of solo music. NYSSMA pieces are acceptable, although specific pieces are not required. Students may be asked to play scales and/or perform sight reading. Students should not play band or orchestra pieces from school.
Students must have at least one year of experience playing their instrument and must be able to read sheet music. Students must also submit a teacher recommendation letter. Letters can be emailed directly to enrollment@usdan.org. Teachers can use our recommendation letter tips for help writing their letters.
Students are not required to enroll in camp before their audition but are encouraged as classes may fill up before final decisions are released.
HOW TO APPLY
Students should complete the brief application below and complete an audition. Students can choose to audition live on campus or virtually via Microsoft Teams. Auditions can be scheduled once the application is submitted using the link on the confirmation page. Alternatively, applicants can submit a pre-recorded audition with their application. Please note, preference will be given to students who choose to do a live audition, either on campus or virtually.