Hastings College invites high school artists to apply for Open Space summer immersion experience
(Hastings, Nebraska) – Hastings College is now accepting applications for Open Space, its premier summer art immersion program designed for high school juniors and seniors who are ready to take their creative practice to a collegiate level.
Open Space, which will be held Sunday, June 14, to Saturday, June 20, offers a week of intensive, hands-on studio work within the world-class Jackson Dinsdale Art Center (JDAC). Under the mentorship of Hastings College faculty and visiting artists, participants rotate through specialized studios — including glassblowing, ceramics, painting, sculpture and printmaking — to produce a sophisticated body of work.
“Open Space is about more than just technique; it’s a transformative week where young artists find their community and realize the depth of their own potential,” said Rachael Broadwell, the newly-named director of the Jackson Scholars Program. “The growth we see over the course of the week is incredible. Students leave not only with new skills in elite mediums like glass and ceramics but with a renewed confidence in their identity as artists.”
A Gateway to the Jackson Scholars Program
For rising seniors, the Open Space experience serves as a key pipeline for the prestigious Jackson Scholars Program. Select participants may be invited to join the 2027 cohort of Jackson Scholars, an all-expenses-paid opportunity to attend Hastings College as an art major. The Jackson Scholars Program scholarship covers 100% of tuition, room and meals for four years.
Other rising seniors will have the opportunity to participate in the general Jackson Scholars Program review process, and will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend Hastings College, in addition to an art scholarship.
The Premier Experience
With a registration fee of $975, Open Space is curated as a high-level residential experience. The cost is all-inclusive, covering:
Professional-grade art supplies and instruction in the region’s most sophisticated studios.
On-campus lodging and all meals.
Evening social activities designed to foster lasting connections.
A culminating gallery exhibition and reception on Saturday, June 20, for families and the community.
“We treat this as a ‘premier’ experience because of the caliber of resources and individual attention provided,” Broadwell said. “Between the facility and the faculty, students are given a level of access usually reserved for upper-level college students. It is an investment in their future and a true bridge to a career in the arts.”
Application Details
Open Space 2026 will run from Sunday, June 14, to Saturday, June 20. Applicants must submit a digital portfolio of 6-8 pieces and demonstrate a strong academic standing. While preference is given to rising seniors, talented rising juniors are also encouraged to apply.
Applications are available online at www.hastings.edu/openspace.