In August of 2023, CSA is opening the Institute for the Creative Arts, a pilot program for the state that will give high school students the opportunity to advance their artistic skills in a specialized setting. In cooperation with regional high schools, the Institute will allow for high school students in grades 9-12 to attend daily for part of their school day and receive credit at their high school. All students, public, private, virtual, and home school will have equal opportunity to attend. Students may audition to get into a program of their choice as early as their 8th grade year.
The Institute is designed in a college prep format, with six major program areas:
The Institute is the first-of-its-kind in the State of Arkansas and endorsed by our Governor and First lady. It is modeled after the "Best in Class" Virginia Governor's Arts School. Offerings include programs in commercial music studies in jazz and pop styles, music composition & technology, studies in cinematography, digital art & animation, musical theatre, dance, technical theatre, and culinary. The Institute will work with school districts to offer curriculum-based arts programs not typically available that will ensure student success in an ever-changing arts world.
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Students will have the opportunity to audition for an arts area of their choice. Auditions include counselor/teacher recommendations, student video and essay, and interview. The goal of auditions is to make sure the student is placed in an arts area that is a good fit for their talent and interest. Students are not required to have previous experience in most of the arts areas. The Institute is designed so that all students have an opportunity to get connected to a comprehensive arts program, no matter their background or experience.
WHAT IS THE INSTITUTE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS?
The Institute for the Creative Arts is a curriculum-based program in the arts for high school students. It provides rigorous arts training in a specialized educational setting.
WHERE IS THE INSTITUTE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS?
The Institute is housed in the CSA Center for the Creative Arts facility, located at 1101 Riverfront Drive. This new state-of-the-art facility will open in August of 2023 and will house the Institute along with the CSA after school Community Arts Connection programs.
WHO IS THE INSTITUTE FOR & HOW DOES IT WORK?
Students in grades 9-12 within a 60-mile radius in Arkansas and Oklahoma from public, private, virtual and home school who have an arts interest may apply. Students will attend the Institute daily and receive high school credits yearly at their high school towards graduation. Students will take their Academic Courses online or remain at their high school for their core courses and will attend the Institute for arts study.
WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF STUDY?
There are six major program areas: Music, Dance, Culinary, Theatre, Art, and Film. The programs to be offered beginning in the fall of 2023 include the following:
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Musical Theatre
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Students may select the performance track or the technical theatre track.​
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Commercial Music
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Students may select the performance track, music technology track, or commercial composition track.​
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Dance
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Dance is a performance-based curriculum​
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HOW DO STUDENTS GET IN?
Students are accepted based upon artistic interest, teacher recommendation, video submission, and student essay. All socio-economic levels have opportunity to participate. Auditions are typically held every spring semester for the upcoming school year. Students as early as spring of their 8th grade year may apply and are encouraged to do so to complete a four-year curriculum at the Institute. Auditions are used as a means of placing a student in the appropriate program. Students are not typically denied entrance into a program due to lack of experience. If you have an interest in arts study, the institute is for you.
WHO ARE THE TEACHERS & WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING LIKE?
Designed in a conservatory style, professional practicing artist-teachers immerse students into the arts as they prepare them for college and a professional career. The Institute provides rigorous arts training and fosters the overall educational development of students who have an interest in a creative field and the arts industry. A steady diet of private instruction, group classes, ensemble rehearsals, exhibits and performances are all part of an immersion experience.
HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN THE PROGRAM?
Students may begin the program as early as their 9th grade year and are encouraged to do so. Students are enrolled for one Academic school year at a time. At the end of that school year, the student is not required to return but may do so if they wish. Students may register to participate in all four years of high school, and by doing so, the student will be able to complete the full four years of curriculum.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM FUNDED?
Tuition is charged to those in a public school district. CSA works in cooperation with each public school district for students to attend from that district through state allotted funds.
WHEN CAN I AUDITION & ENROLL?
CSA is now taking registrations for students to audition and enroll in the programs coming in the fall 2023 Academic school year.
Click HERE to enroll now!
