KCAD’s Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio Summer Camp in Grand Rapids, MI
KCAD’s Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio is part of the 2025 West Michigan Summer Camps Guide.
KCAD’s Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio is a FREE summer workshop that immerses high school juniors and seniors in the solving of complex “wicked” problems through the lens of whole systems design thinking, sustainability, and the circular economy.
Build skills for your future, earn $595, and meet new people!
Quick Details
Who's it for
Who's it for
| Ages | High School |
| Grades | 11th, 12th |
| Camp Focus | Design & Making, Field Trips & Excursions, STEM or STEAM |
| Camp Type | Day Camp |
| Camp Features | Financial Assistance or Scholarships Available, LGBTQ Inclusive |
Contact Info - KCAD's Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio
17 Fountain St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Camp Dates & Price
Hours Open: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Mon - Fri)
Weeks KCAD's Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio is offered:
A Closer Look at KCAD’s Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio
We’re empowering high school students to address complex problems with design solutions that help build a better future for people and the planet.
KCAD’s Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio is a summer workshop that immerses student participants in the solving of complex “wicked” problems through the lens of whole systems design thinking, sustainability, and the circular economy.
Based on the framework of KCAD’s international collegiate student design competition, Wege Prize, the two-week workshop provides participants with an active learning experience in which they’ll work in facilitated collaborative groups—led by highly-qualified instructors—to research and concept solutions to wicked regional problems through the design process and present their work to community leaders.
Gain Real-World Experience
Based on the framework of KCAD’s international collegiate student design competition, Wege Prize, the two-week workshop provides participants with an active learning experience in which they’ll work in facilitated collaborative groups—led by highly-qualified instructors—to research and concept solutions to wicked regional problems through the design process and present their work to community leaders.
“The Collaborative Studio was a formative experience that left me eager to continue learning and educating others about the circular economy and collaborative design. It exposed me to the real-world complexities of sustainability and stewardship and made me so much more engaged with conversations around sustainability in my classes.”
– Jordan Fridsma, past Collaborative Studio participant, currently studying Geography, Urban Studies, and Studio Art at Calvin University.
2025 Cohort Details
Program Dates: July 21 – August 1, 2025 | Mondays – Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Application Deadline: June 22, 2025
Who is eligible to participate?
– Open to high school students entering their junior or senior year of study.
– Interested students must apply for consideration and be accepted in order to participate.
– Each summer cohort will be made up of ~20 student participants.
– There is no cost to participate.
What will I get out of the experience?
– A $595 stipend
– Daily lunches provided
– Certificate of completion
– Community network building and professional mentoring
– Letters of recommendation (for college/internship applications)
– Portfolio-quality design work
How Can I Apply?
– Identify a personal reference to support your application (teacher, counselor, or employer)
– Complete the online application form
Learn More & Submit Your Application at kcad.edu/wegehs
More About KCAD
As a college within Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design prepares students for leadership in design, the visual arts, and art history.
They also provide innovative, collaborative education that fosters intellectual growth and individual creativity; and promotes the ethical and civic responsibilities of artists and designers, locally and globally.
