The Future Is Bright: Spotlight on Arts Education & Careers
Atlanta is a center of activity for the arts and the entertainment industry. There are so many opportunities for art programs within schools to bring in guest professionals and provide exposure to real life careers in the arts, not only as performers but also with behind-the-scenes careers.
Metro Atlanta has an incredible community for students to connect with, no matter where the passion might lead. “Metro Atlanta is a major hub for musicians, ballet, opera and theatrical professionals,” says Cary Brague, the Director of Arts and the Murray Arts Center at Mount Paran Christian School.
Arts programs have changed to meet the market of 21st-century arts careers. “America’s largest export in the world is entertainment, and Georgia is a hotspot for careers in that sector,” Brague explains. “Georgia K-12 schools have responded to these needs with the development of commercial music, theatre tech, film academy and digital media programs.” Some schools have programs that delve into other artistic avenues, from dance to music and digital art to fashion.
“The music scene here is vibrant, with opportunities ranging from recording and production to live sound engineering and event management,” says Mark Gallegos, Mount Vernon School’s Music and Recording Instructor. “The state is also becoming a hub for gaming and interactive media, offering careers in game design, animation and virtual reality development. Atlanta has a growing market for digital content creation, marketing and arts entrepreneurship, where skills in graphic design, photography and multimedia storytelling are in high demand. Our programs aim to connect students with these diverse pathways, preparing them for success in Georgia’s evolving arts landscape.”
In the future, students have the opportunity to pursue many different paths, which historically, may not have been available to other artists.
“Students are only limited by their own mindset,” says Phil Sims, Atlanta Music High School’s Co-Founder and Co-Director. “Careers available now are more varied. Musicians can work in an ensemble, have a recording project, work on a film score, tackle technology or make use of production equipment.”
Arts programs may have connections traditional schools do not, introducing students to the local arts community. “DeKalb School of the Arts has established connections with industry professionals and alumni across various fields, providing scholars with valuable networking opportunities and insights into different career paths,” says DeKalb School of the Arts’ Principal, Dr. Keith Jones.
Arts-focused programming may open your child up to special career options. Even if she doesn’t choose an artistic career, the education will still benefit her. “Exposure to the arts provides scholars with opportunities to explore diverse career pathways many traditional high schools may not offer. Scholars at DeKalb School of the Arts recognize the foundations of art are interconnected with everything they do, regardless of their chosen discipline,” Jones says. “While not every scholar will pursue a career in the arts, their time at DSA instills a lasting passion for artistic expression.”
Arts Programs Around Atlanta
For students who have a special interest or talent in the arts, there are a few schools with innovative programs and unique resources to offer. Here’s a look at a few in the metro area.
Mount Paran Christian School
Mount Paran Christian School’s Dozier School of the Arts is a magnet program. Students can study dance, acting, technical theater, vocal music, instrumental music, theory and composition, worship arts, recording arts, visual arts (2D/3D), graphic arts and commercial music. After completing all study requirements, evaluations and performances, students graduate with a DSA certificate and an academic diploma.
“The DSA represents an additional area of rigor that is important for college applications,” Brague says. “Highly selective colleges and universities seek creative-thinking individuals as they curate each freshman class. Participation in the DSA program is a value-add on transcripts and college applications, which may be the competitive determinant for success in admissions.”
Students choose one major area of discipline, yet they are encouraged to experience multiple subjects throughout their time. As a student progresses, flexible scheduling arrangements may allow for more extensive coursework and additional study. Along with daily courses, students have opportunities to perform in the local community, at the school and in regional and national venues.
Atlanta Music High School
Atlanta Music High School is an independent music conservatory offering music students rigorous musical training as a dual enrollment program.
“What makes us unique is the particular design in how we operate,” Sims says. “We are able to provide specialized training and focused attention for students’ areas of passion.”
With music immersion programs for grades 5-8 and 9-12, students can explore their passion for classical, jazz, rock or folk music with applied music lessons, theory and musicianship courses, and small ensemble performances.
Throughout their time of study, scholars develop a portfolio, which helps them advertise their creativity and passion and can boost college applications or resumes. “It’s a multi-step process, from goal setting to designing the portfolio,” Sims says. “Students prepare the pieces, whether that’s a live performance or producing music in a studio. There’s also opportunity for self-reflection and critique. Students get used to putting themselves out there and receiving praise and criticism, helping them grow.”
DeKalb School of the Arts
A performing arts magnet school, DeKalb School of the Arts provides a comprehensive education including arts experiences. Offerings include drama, dance, vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, video technology, creative writing, multimedia and design & production.
To attend, applicants must have: a cumulative GPA of 80%; no grade lower than 71; meet promotion requirements for certain classes; audition in two arts disciplines for fall placement only; interview with the faculty; submit a total of four written recommendations from teachers; must maintain the admission requirements to remain in the program; and earn a minimum of two production credits a year.
“The scholars chosen to attend are both artistically and academically gifted, fostering a culture of like-minded artist-scholars,” Jones says. “These programs allow scholars to nurture their artistic talents while receiving a well-rounded education. There is a strong commitment from scholars to both the arts and academics. They are encouraged to meet the expectations set for their artistic and academic pursuits.”
Mount Vernon School
Students at Mount Vernon School gain real-world studio opportunities in applied arts, media arts, performing arts and visual arts to cover fields from jewelry making to audio engineering to theater.
“The Mount Vernon Studio and arts programs are designed to give students a complete, hands-on experience with modern artistic practices,” says George Greene, the Director of Mount Vernon Studios. “Our facilities include a professional-grade recording studio, digital editing suites and spaces for film and visual arts, which allow students to work with industry-standard equipment. Students are living the arts by creating, performing, producing and collaborating on real-world projects.”
By reimagining arts education, students are encouraged to explore their creativity, connecting with an ever-expanding creative industry. Scholars have the opportunity to explore various disciplines to figure out what they love.
“We encourage them to take on internships, collaborate on projects and connect with industry professionals to get a taste of potential career paths,” Gallegos says. “These real-world experiences help students develop a clearer sense of direction and prepare them to turn their passion into a viable career.”
Atlanta Public Schools
Beyond providing arts classes, Atlanta Public Schools’ Fine & Performing Arts Department focuses on enrichment experiences and extension opportunities.
“We believe students should be life-long advocates of the arts,” says Dr. Sarah Erickson, the Director of Fine & Performing Arts at APS. “It’s about making students aware of how the arts are important to our culture – the culture we personally identify with and the culture in the community.”
APS works with partners to help students look at their future within the industry. “Partnerships help students think about ‘Can what I do in the arts turn into my passion and finance my future?’” Erickson says. “For example, Save the Music shows students modern jobs in music technology with real-world applications to careers, such as how to be a music producer or how to create rhythms and beats to add to a video game.”
With APS’ Cultural Experiences Project, every student experiences the city’s art and cultural venues. “Every single student gains free access to experiences across metro Atlanta,” Erickson says. “Atlanta Ballet hosts our second graders. They’ll see ‘The Nutcracker’ or ‘Cinderella,’ and the experience is zero-cost to families. If you can’t see ballet, you may not know that you like it.”
Landmark Christian School
A collection of self-directed pathways, including film, commercial music, fashion, visual arts and performing arts, are designed to meet the artistic needs of students. “Landmark Academy Of The Arts allows kids who want to take their art to the next level to gain independent study and guidance with mentors to meet their specific goals and desires,” says Don Johnson, the Fine Arts Director and Choral Director at Landmark Christian School. “What makes it special is it’s specific to that student’s desires and goals, and not one program fits all.”
Students apply for membership in the Academy beginning in their sophomore year by completing an application/audition and submitting a prospectus of study, which outlines a proposed path of study. Successful proposals include: an outline of proposed coursework to be undertaken on campus; identification of an expert mentor and/or committee; a plan for 50+ hours of approved independent study; and plans for the presentation of a capstone project.
How Parents Can Encourage a Love of the Arts
As a parent, you can help build the initial foundation for arts exploration.
“Start your youngster off with piano lessons while they are in kindergarten,” Brague says. “At that age, playing a musical instrument engages neural pathways that are fired while doing algebra, which typically doesn’t happen until the middle school years. The earlier these neural pathways fire, the more robust the cerebral cortex will develop.”
Use family time to explore your child’s interests. “Show them people are actually doing these interests,” Johnson says. “If they’re interested in theatre, go to a show. If they’re interested in dance, go see ‘The Nutcracker’ this Christmas. If they’re watching TV, tell them, ‘There are producers guiding this, and people running cameras.’ Guide them through the experiences.”
Tap into your local resources. “As a small kid, I struggled with communication because I had a learning disability,” says Erickson. “The arts allowed me to express myself. My mom saw that, and she cultivated that passion within me. In the Atlanta community, there are so many free or low-cost opportunities.”