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Sign Up

Want to join the NYC SALT family? If you’re a high school student interested in photography or the visual industry and highly motivated to attend college, you can start by signing up here.

The student application period will open in January 2025. Please join the list to be notified as soon as applications open.

Sign up below to be notified when applications open

For more information please contact Alicia Hansen, alicia@nycsalt.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

  1. WHAT DO STUDENTS LEARN IN CLASS?


    First year students will become Masters of the following:

    • a DSLR camera that we check out to them for the whole school year

    • Adobe Lightroom in editing, toning and archiving imagery,

    • Learning to See - exploring composition, light, color, gesture

    Along the way they will develop a visual vocabulary, explore exhibits, museums and meet working artists in their studios and places of work here in NYC. We start the year with a weekend orientation to build your class team for the year. We will explore career paths in the visual arts and have a heavy emphasis on how students can use the camera as a tool to make money and as a foundation skill set for almost any career path in the creative industry. Students work with professional artists to create a portfolio throughout the year. We have an exhibit of all student work at the end of the school year.

  2. Who Should apply?

    If you are a student who is interested in photography or the visual artists and desire to explore opportunities in higher education and careers in the creative industry in NYC, NYC Salt is the place for you. We are looking for dedicated, curious, and hardworking students who will be willing to show up and participate in class and who are hungry to take advantage of the many opportunities that are presented.

  3. WHO TEACHES Salt CLASSES?

    Our instructors are dedicated educators and practicing professional photographers living and working in New York. With two instructors for every class, we keep a low teacher : student ratio to ensure each student receives individualized attention & support.

  4. WHERE ARE CLASSES HELD?

    Classes are in person at our photography studio in Manhattan at 127 West 26th St, NY, NY 10001.

  5. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND?

    SALT is a free program! If accepted, all class materials are provided.

  6. DO I NEED PRIOR Photography EXPERIENCE?

    Absolutely not. We understand students come to SALT with different experiences with photography, although it’s nice to see a portfolio, but we do not expect students to have it all together before coming to our program.  We expect all potential students to be dedicated and passionate about art.  That’s the key!

  7. How long do students stay in Salt?

    We believe in a lifelong relationship with our students. Our approach with each of our students is individualized because we are all different! Our high school students are in our residency program on average for three years depending on when they start. Once students go to college or into a career, we mentor, we connect to opportunities and we have a robust alumni program and a fellowship program where we will help our students take their dreams farther. Our very first student, Devin Osorio, started with us in the 6th grade and he went through our residency class, we helped him get into SCAD, saw him graduate and go into a career in textiles and now he works for us. We have known Devin for almost 15 years.

  8. Why might this program be important to my future?

    Our students, most first generation college students, are accepted to some of the best visual arts and communication schools in the country. Our alumni are working in careers in the creative industry. Many of our students have developed strong freelance businesses and have made a lucrative career as an artist in NYC. The photography community that surrounds SALT’s is very interested in helping our students succeed and invest their time and talent to help our students grow creatively. Lastly, we are a family here and it truly is a home to our students and alumni.

  9. WHAT COLLEGES HAVE STUDENTS BEEN ACCEPTED TO?

    Nearly 100% of SALT students receive acceptance at the colleges and universities of their choice! 
    The list of colleges that have accepted SALT students continues to grow.  It includes:
    Binghamton University, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell University, DePauw College, Fordham University, Hampton University, Hunter College, Iona College, Macaulay Honors CUNY, NYU Steinhart, Parsons School of Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The School of Visual Arts, Stony Brook University, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Purchase, Swarthmore College, Syracuse University, University of Vermont, and more.

  10. DO Salt STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO COLLEGE?

    Yes! In the past 3 years, students were awarded over $3 million dollars in scholarships. Of most recent graduating class, the class of 2021, 93% of students received financial aid totaling more than $1,000,000. Achievement of this kind is also anticipated for the class of 2022.

GOT MORE QUESTIONS?

Please contact Alicia Hansen. alicia@nycsalt.org

We thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your application!