Academy of Visual & Performing Arts

Overview

The Lancaster Academy of the Visual and Performing Arts is a unique organization designed for students with a strong interest in the visual or performing arts. Our mission is to provide students with a solid foundation in the arts through a sequence of academic courses, career exploration opportunities, and inspiring interactions with fellow students, faculty, and professional artists.

The Arts Academy curriculum was designed by the LHS art and music teachers and implemented in the Fall of 2008. With no national model to follow, we created coursework and planned extra-curricular activities that would help our students prepare for careers in the visual or performing arts. Since that time, our program has become a model for other districts wishing to implement an academy for the arts. The LHS Arts Academy is so unique that Gary Stith, a well-known music educator and author, included an article about our program in his 2017 publication of The Conductor’s Companion: 100 Rehearsal Techniques, Imaginative Ideas, Quotes, and Facts.

No matter what career path they ultimately choose, there are numerous benefits for students who participate in the Arts Academy. During the three year program, students increase their knowledge and understanding of the arts and improve their artistic and/or musical abilities. They gain a strong work ethic and leadership skills, learn how to communicate ideas and plan for long-term projects, and develop self-confidence as they collaborate with teachers, peers, alumni, and professional artists.

Throughout the courses in the Arts Academy curriculum, students perform for their peers, critique each other’s artwork, and work together to prepare projects and presentations about topics related to the visual and performing arts. All Arts Academy students take college-level courses in Music Theory or Drawing, 2D Design and 3D Design. In addition to the course curriculum, students interact with guest artists and musicians, job shadow at area businesses, prepare for college applications and auditions, and complete internships. Outside of the classroom, students perform in a recital or participate in an art exhibition during their sophomore, junior, and senior years. The visual arts students operate a professional art gallery in our school, and many music students volunteer to perform at a variety of school and community events. All students serve on various committees to plan, organize, and facilitate the Festival of the Arts each year. Students visit art galleries and attend numerous professional performances as well.