NYC SALT Residency Application 2023-2024

2025-2026 NYC Salt Residency Program Application

DEADLINE EXTENDED

Applications Due by FRIDAY, August 15th

ALL ACCEPTANCES ARE BEING TAKEN ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. PLEASE ENSURE TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The Residency Program runs from September to June. This full-school-year photography and college preparation program is intended for high school students who wish to deepen their understanding and passion for the visual arts and learn about career paths in the creative industry of NYC.

This is a multi-year program for high school students. Our intention is that you will be in our NYC SALT residency class until you graduate from high school, and then you will enjoy the benefits of being part of our community throughout your life.

Program Description

We provide:
- Classes taught by leading industry professionals
- One-on-one mentoring with a professional photographer or editor
- Portfolio development
- Camera equipment for the duration of your time in the program
- Apple Mac lab available to all students every day after school
- Instruction on using Adobe Creative Suite (Lightroom and Photoshop)
- Introductory lessons on photography as a business
- Field trips to creative companies to learn about career paths
- Field trips to various NYC locations for photo shoots
- Field trip to photo exhibits at museums/galleries
In this program, you will learn how to use a camera, how to use light, how to find your vision, how to use your voice to tell a story, and more. This will be done through group and one-on-one instruction in a professional photography studio. You will have the opportunity to meet some of the leaders working in the visual industry: photographers, gallery owners, photo editors, art directors, bookmakers, people who could become your future professional network, and who will be there to help you in our classes.

You will develop a photography portfolio that you can use for college admissions and professional opportunities. Your work will be displayed at the end of the year in our Annual Photography Exhibition, which will be held at a public venue.

Program Location

Our studio is in Manhattan. Our address is 127 West 26th Street #1201, between 6th and 7th Ave. Before applying, please ensure that this location is not too far of a commute for you. Transportation is not provided.

Cost:

This is a free program.

Time Commitment

Our program runs for the full school year, from September to June.

Photography classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays (TBD) from 4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.

THE ATTENDANCE POLICY IS STRICTLY ENFORCED. If you play a sport or are engaged in other extra-curricular activities that could potentially cause a scheduling conflict with your SALT class, we expect you to make SALT your priority over the other activities. We only allow three absences per school year.

Please be aware that you cannot save this form. Before starting to fill out the form, retrieve all supporting requirements (school transcript and photographs to submit). You should also scroll through the whole application to see what you will be asked to think and write about. We recommend that you give yourself several hours to work carefully and thoughtfully on answering the questions.

Application details

Please fill out the entire application form and upload the following:
- Photo portfolio (5 - 10 of your best images)
- Most recent transcript * you must have a C average or above to apply* If you have a grade point average that is below a C, please include a note alongside the transcript you submit explaining your grade.
Only complete applications will be considered.

If your application is selected to move on to the interview stage, you will be contacted to set up a 30-minute interview with us. A parent or guardian must attend this interview for you to be eligible for the program.

The interview is for us to get to know you better and to explain the program to your parent or guardian to ensure they understand the commitment required. The application and interview do not guarantee admission into the program.
- Application deadline: FRIDAY, August 15th, 2025.
- Interview sessions: scheduled interviews on a rolling basis
- Classes Start: September 2025 (exact date TBD)
For more information, please contact Xavier Achurra at xavier@nycsalt.org

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

Financial Information
What is your annual household income? (If you are unsure, take your best guess or ask your parents/guardian. If you cannot ask them for any reason, please click other and explain the situation in a few words in the following question.*

Less than $25,000$25,000 - $35,000$35,000 - $50,000$50,000 - $75,000$75,000 - $100,000$100,000 - $125,000$125,000 - $150,000Above $200,000Other
If you clicked "other" for the previous question, please explain your situation here if you feel comfortable doing so.
Number of people (including you) who live in your home:*

Social Media
Part of our curriculum integrates social media to publish your photography work. We would like to see how you are currently using your platforms to express yourself through photography. Please fill in handles or links to the accounts listed below that you feel comfortable sharing with us (tiktok and finsta are not necessary to note):
Website
Instagram
Any others you would like to share:

Student Questionnaire
We want to get to know you a bit better. Please spend some time answering the following questions thoughtfully.
Tell us your story. Who are you? Please write a few sentences.*
What are 3 words you can use to describe yourself?*
What are your dreams for your future? (personal dreams, not career related) Your dream could be as grand as something you’ve always wanted to do or a place you’ve always wanted to go and why or as simple as why you’ve always wanted to have a dog!*
What is your dream career or field? (It is ok if you do not know. We are curious though if you have some idea now.)*
Tell us about a time you stood up for something you believed in. What was your motivation? How did it turn out?*
Tell us about a time you had a “real” moment with someone - it could be funny, sad, deep, light, with a stranger or someone you’ve known all your life.*
What kind of photography are you most drawn to and why? Some of the most popular kinds are: portrait, still life, fashion, documentary/photojournalism, landscape, architectural, events (weddings, concerts), and self portraits. Please note if you prefer any of these subjects but with videography instead of photography.*
Do you have any experience in digital photography? If so, please describe the skills you've learned, what classes you've taken and the duration.*
Have you ever participated in art classes or art experiences other than an art class you may have taken in school? If not, but you’ve always wanted to take an art class, what kind of art and why?*
Are you involved in other activities during the school year? If so, please list them including what day and times of the week are committed to each activity, even if they are on the weekend.*
Is there anything else you want us to know about yourself that we have not asked?*

Supporting Documents:
(Optional) To provide us with a better understanding of how you see, please upload up to 10 photos (minimum of 5), from your current portfolio if you have one. If you don't have a portfolio, just upload some of your favorite photos that you have taken recently.
Photography Portfolio (max. 10 photos)

Upload a File

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Write a brief summary about the photos you uploaded. You may also write a few sentences about each one individually.
Current School Transcript*

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Commitment
NYC Salt requires students to attend every class. Attendance is mandatory.

Absences must be documented or otherwise explained.

Three or more unexcused absences per semester may result in dismissal from the program.
The program runs from September, 2025 - early June, 2026 (exact dates TBD)

PLEASE SELECT ALL OPTIONS THAT WORK FOR YOU IN THE QUESTION BELOW
I am available for NYC Salt 2025-2026 program dates, and can commit to attending on:*

Tuesdays from 4pm-7pmWednesdays from 4pm - 7pmThursdays from 4pm-7pm
If accepted, I agree to attend all classes according to the schedule. I understand that I will be allowed only a maximum of three unexcused absences per semester, before I may be dismissed from the program. Please confirm you have reviewed the attendance guidelines by initialing here: *
Authorization:
Student Signature:*

Clear
Parent/Guardian Signature: This signature should be completed by the student's parent or legal guardian, and certifies that: 1) They are aware of their student's application to NYC Salt, and 2) They have reviewed and verified the information provided above.*

Clear
Should be Empty:

	No understanding or experience	Basic understanding	Good understanding	Excellent understanding
What is your current level of knowledge about how the camera works?
What is your current level of knowledge about the use of lighting?
What is your current level of knowledge about composition?
What is your current level of understanding of jobs and career paths in the photo industry?
What is your current level of knowledge of educational paths in visual arts?