EVERY summer the National Gallery of Australia makes good its promise to keep young people in touch with the national collecting institution and 2016 is no exception.

Sixteen Year 12 students from across Australia are spending this week immersed in the visual arts at the as part of the Summer Art Scholarship Program,  supported by  Tim Fairfax in honour of the late NGA director, Betty Churcher.

This year students will meet and work with the distinguished Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson as well as get a rare glimpse behind the scenes at the NGA.

The program comprises an intense week of creative workshops, mentoring from NGA staff, and hands-on work with artists at the ANU.

As well, the students will get to see the new Australian and International galleries along with the NGA summer exhibitions,” Tom Roberts” and “The Last Temptation: The art of Ken and Julia Yonetani.”

The 2016 National Summer Art Scholars are: Solomona Nona, Tagai State College, Thursday Island; Jessica Tracey, Somerville House, Brisbane; Mr Astro Spiller, Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School; Jessica Benter, Warrnambool College; Emma Wadley, St Patrick’s College, Launceston; Caleb Clifford, Newstead College Launceston; Waheda Alami, Glenwood High School, Sydney; Mackenzie Saddler, Leeton High School; Michael Sandford, Marist College, Canberra; Solomon Grainger, Daramalan College, Dickson; Nozhat Hassan, Pedare Christian College, Adelaide; Ella-Maude Wilson, Trinity College, Gawler SA; Pio III Gillamac, Casuarina Senior School, Darwin; Julia Woods, O’Loughlin Catholic College, Darwin; Amy Reid, St Stephens School Perth; and Shania Haigh, Manjimup Senior High School, WA.