Considering an Arts Program

If you are looking for a boarding school in the USA that offers art, there are a few things to consider.  Most “art” studies are either offered in a class or as an activity.  You may have a passion for art or you may just want to experience it.  It is important to match up the level of your ability with what is offered at the school.  It is common to see classes offered in the Performing Arts such as dance, theater, and music, and the Visual Arts which include painting, film, photography, and fashion design, along with many others. 

There are many traditional boarding schools that offer strong academics and also have great art programs.  If the arts are a part of your school search, then request the school’s view book.  That and the school’s website will give you a look into their program.  It is important to research the faculty that run the art programs and see what they specialize in.  Look to see what art colleges their alumni are getting in to. 

Another way to narrow down your search for the right school is to look at location.  Is the school located near a city that is rich in the arts?  Will you have access to museums and theater?

Wide Variety of Arts Programs

At Purnell School, each girl enrolls in at least three Performing Arts and three Studio Arts courses during her four years at this New Jersey school.  Students in higher grades choose “elective” classes such as dance, film, acting, children’s theater, creative theater, voice, music theory, and instrumental music.  Each year Purnell students produce a full length musical show in two and a half weeks during “Project Exploration.”  They build sets, run lights and sound, and design costumes as well as act.  Beyond traditional drawing, pastels, ceramics, photography, charcoals, jewelry design and fashion design, Purnell girls also work on their personal art portfolios.  Students also take Art History classes, which include trips to museums in nearby New York City.

At the Storm King School near New York City, almost half the students play a musical instrument or are involved in singing. Theatre Tech and Stagecraft complement a Theatrical program where students can take playwriting classes. Storm King students are encouraged to explore their own ideas in music, theatre and the visual arts and to push the boundaries of a material, idea or piece of music.

Arts are an integral part of education at Purnell School. Each girl enrolls in at least three performing and three studio arts courses during her four years at the New Jersey school. Students in higher grades choose “elective” classes such as jazz dance, dance improvisation, creative process in movement, acting, clowning, creative theater, classical voice training, music theory, instrumental music, and modern and world dance history. Each year Purnell students produce a full length musical show in two and a half weeks during “Project Exploration.” They build sets, run lights and sound, design costumes as well as act. 

Beyond traditional drawing, collage, pastels, ceramics, photography, oil painting, charcoals and fashion design, Purnell girls also work on projects such as art portfolios and furniture installation. Students also take art history classes, which include trips to museums in nearby New York City.

The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, leverages its proximity to New York City and its major cultural attractions to provide students with a talented faculty. Most of the falculty are practicing artists, dancers and actors who commute to Broadway, Chelsea and SoHo, and with regular visits to museums, concerts, Broadway shows, and other cultural venues.  It is common for a Masters School student to take a 30-minute train ride into New York City over the weekend to participate in a visual art class at Parsons School of Design, take music lessons at Manhattan School of Music, train alongside professionals at Juilliard and New York Dance Theater, and attend live performances.  On campus during the week, Masters School students take advantage of a professional dance studio with wood floors, barres, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Music teachers, many of whom are performing artists, give instruction in a music center using practice facilities with grand pianos, guitars, drum kits and other instruments, a soundproof studio, digital music Pro Tools recording studio, and a Glee Club and Orchestra room. Courses include Choral Music, Jazz Theory, Chamber Music and Music History. Drama is an especially popular specialization. Students study acting, directing, stage managing, set and lighting design, costume, and have three performance opportunities in all-school productions, two-to-three student-directed plays, and monthly coffee house presentations during the academic year. 

Young people who may  not be ready to attend a pre-professional boarding school where they would concentrate on performing, may feel more comfortable in an environment like the Masters School where they get a balanced education in other subjects as well.  

Each boarding school in the U.S.A. unique. You will find excellent programs within comprehensive schools and wonderful opportunities at specialized schools for the arts. Enjoy this opportunity to research some of the finest schools in the world.