Duke has a host of summer offerings: classes, DukeEngage, research fellowships and many other programs. One of Duke’s largest offerings are the +Programs, a group of experiential learning opportunities. Two of these programs — Arts+ and Doc+ — offer undergraduates a chance to gain valuable arts-related skills that can help them grow at Duke and beyond.
In the +Programs, small groups of students work together on real-life problems, which allows them to try out career paths while gaining practical experience. Outside of Arts+ and Docs+, Duke also offers Applied Ethics+, which launched in 2023 and focuses on ethics; Climate+, which launched in 2022 and focuses on data-based climate solutions; Code+, which launched in 2018 and focuses on real-world coding problems; CS+, which launched in 2019 and focuses on computer science research; Data+, which launched in 2015 and focuses on data science; History+, which launched in 2024 and focuses on historical research; and Math+, which replaced DOmath in 2023 and focuses on math research. Duke adds new +Programs often, with Arts+ starting in 2024 and Doc+ starting in 2025.
Arts+ is run by Duke Arts during summer session one. It focuses on arts-related skills that students don’t usually get in class or through campus arts organizations. Students doing Arts+ can choose between a $3,500 stipend or free room and board. This year, Duke Arts is running three projects, each accepting up to three students.
The first project is Resilience through Puppetry, run at the Duke University Marine Lab by Torry Bend — a renowned puppet artist and Professor of the Practice of Theater Studies. Students will work with Bend to develop a resilience curriculum that uses puppetry to teach middle schoolers. Students will then teach the curriculum for three weeks before evaluating the results. This program offers students a chance to develop skills in curriculum design, puppetry, arts education and program evaluation.
The second is the Duke Arts Fellowship, run by Anna Wallace – the DukeArts Student Engagement Manager. The project will support the Duke Arts Fellows, a year-long program that connects Duke undergraduates with Duke faculty and Durham Public Schools educators. During the fellowship, these students help strengthen arts education in schools without strong arts programs. This summer, selected students will help prepare the programs for the 2025-2026 by creating a schedule, outlining the fellowship’s structure, and setting expectations for the participants. Participants will gain valuable skills in program management, research, design, and assessment.
The third and final project is the Duke Arts Presents Admin Team, led by Frances Howorth — DukeArts Director of Marketing and Communications — and Aaron Shackelford — DukeArts Director of Programming. These students will go behind the scenes of Duke Arts, helping them prepare for the 2025-2026 Duke Arts Presents season. They’ll also help Duke Arts run a summer concert series for on-campus students and local residents. This project includes everything from programming and producing to marketing and outreach to recruiting and supporting artists. Students who participate will acquire valuable arts administration experience and other practical skills.
Doc+ is a new six-week program run by the Center for Documentary Studies for undergraduates focused on or interested in the documentary arts. The pay is also $3,500 or room and board, and the projects will soon be announced. In Doc+ Students will work in small teams on unique documentary projects for outside partners and participate in hands-on workshops. Through this, they will be able to gain skills in areas like film and darkroom editing and accumulate valuable work experience for their portfolio.
The Arts+ and Doc+ Programs offer students interested in the arts a wonderful opportunity to gain real-life arts experience and try out potential careers after Duke. In doing so, they balance the exploration of passions with preparation for the future.
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Zev van Zanten is a Trinity junior and recess editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.