Summer Institute is what Fellows often refer to as “decorative arts boot-camp.” It is held in August of Fellows’ first year and is meant to be an introductory course to Decorative Arts and Material Culture Study. The main goal of the course is to expose Fellows to the resources at both Winterthur and the University that will support them as they begin their fall courses; it also introduces students to greater community resources as well. By the end of August, students will have met nearly all the Museum and Program faculty and administrative support team, completed projects using the various Museum, University, and Library collections, and settled into their new life as a Winterthur Fellow.