The Importance of Material Literacy: Object-Driven Inquiry in a Digital Age
What happens when you move beyond looking—and start listening to what objects are made of? This immersive, week-long program invites participants to rediscover the physical language of art through material literacy and object-based inquiry.
Guided by Professor Edward S. Cooke, Jr., a leading scholar of material culture, you’ll work closely with objects from Yale’s renowned collections to understand how makers’ choices shape meaning in ways that no photograph or digital model can capture.
Morning lectures with Yale Art History faculty provide historical and technical context, while exclusive visits to the Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art allow direct engagement with extraordinary works. Afternoons bring these ideas to life in studio workshops, where you’ll experiment with materials, uncover structural logics, and explore the sensory stories embedded in objects.
Designed for art enthusiasts, educators, makers, and curious thinkers alike, the program encourages close looking, critical inquiry, and hands-on interpretation. In a world increasingly experienced through screens, this workshop offers something different: direct encounters with the material world, helping you see, touch, and understand art in a profoundly tangible way.
[cal] Program Dates:
Monday, June 15 - Friday, June 19, 2026
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Application
To apply, use the Yale Summer Session Application and select Session A. Be sure to choose the course “The Importance of Material Literacy: Object-Driven Inquiry in a Digital Age” when completing your application. See our Application Information for more details.
Tuition and Fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition The Yale Summer Session Seminar in Art History* | $2,285 |
| Nonrefundable Application Fee | $45 |
| On-Campus Housing (Optional) | $595 |
*Tuition includes program fees and daily lunch in a Yale dining hall.
On-Campus Housing
Participants may choose to stay on campus in one of Yale’s residential colleges for an additional fee. Housing includes a full meal plan, and access to evening on-campus activities. You may select on-campus housing when completing the program application.
Payment
Only credit cards (Mastercard and Visa) are accepted for the $45 application fee. Upon acceptance, the program fees can be paid via credit card. Your card will be charged within a few days of registration.
[note] Program fees are due immediately upon acceptance, or your space may be forfeited.
For questions or clarification, please contact us — we’re here to help.
Refund Policy
We will refund 75% of the program fee for cancellation requests received by April 24, 2026, and 50% of the program fee for cancellation requests received by May 1, 2026. Program fee refund requests received after May 1, 2026, cannot be honored.
If a student cancels prior to moving into on-campus housing, 100% of room and board fees will be refunded. If a student withdraws after moving into on-campus housing, room and board charges will be prorated based on the date of departure.
Next Steps for Admitted Students
Students admitted to the Art History Seminar should review the Admitted Student Checklist for required next steps, important deadlines, and information to help you prepare for the program.
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