Aspiring West Virginia high school sophomores interested in the arts have an opportunity to showcase their abilities and win a coveted slot in the 2009 Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA). The Department of Education and the Arts announces student auditions leading to appointments to GSA for Summer 2009. One hundred (100) students will be selected statewide to study and perform in a cross-section of the arts.
"The Governor's School for the Arts is a great opportunity for our state's best young artists," said Governor Joe Manchin. "For three weeks, these 10th-grade students from across West Virginia will be learning and participating in a college atmosphere with professionals in their respective fields of art. The school not only improves their skills, but it also builds character.”
The 2009 Governor’s School for the Arts will be based for a second consecutive year at West Liberty State College in West Liberty, West Virginia. Current 10th grade high school students selected for this prestigious expense-free program will live on the northern panhandle campus for twenty-one days. They will concentrate on writing, dancing, singing, musical instrumentation, acting, drawing and painting as well as digital media.
“Each audition season we witness some of the most talented young people in our state,” said Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary of Education and the Arts. “We are very pleased to be working in conjunction with highly reputable adjudicators and the artistic professionals of West Liberty State College.”
Students classified as tenth-graders at any public, private or home-based high school environment are eligible to be part of the summer experience.
1. Students must complete an application, located online at http://www.wvgovschools.org/GSA/index.html.
2. The application must be printed and mailed to: GSA, Department of Education and the Arts, Bldg 5-Suite 205, 1900 Kanawha Blvd.E., Charleston, WV 25305.
3. Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2008.
Two audition dates are scheduled for January 10 and 17, 2009. Location(s) will be announced to applicants.
“Choosing participants for GSA is not easy,” said Sherry Keffer, Director for Governor’s Schools. “There are many gifted and deserving young people who enter the audition process. We anticipate up to 300 applicants for the 100 slots in the school, each one a winner in his or her own right.”
High school counselors, teachers of the fine and performing arts and families are urged to review the online criteria and encourage worthy students to apply. Information about the auditions and activities of the 2008 GSA is located at http://www.wvgovschools.org/GSA/index.html .
“What a joy to have the Governor’s School for the Arts returning to West Liberty,” said Professor Alfred R. de Jaager, Dean of GSA. “We were truly impressed at the high level of talent displayed in 2008 and we anticipate a like quality as we approach the auditions for 2009.”
The Governor's Schools of West Virginia are three-week summer sessions for academically and/or artistically talented students from across West Virginia. With support from the West Virginia Department of Education, Governor's Schools, entirely free for students, are programs under the aegis of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts. The Governor's Schools consist of three programs: The Governor’s Honors Academy, The Governor’s School for the Arts and The Governor’s School for Math and Science that take place every summer on the campuses of various colleges and universities around the state. Students attend workshops, classes, and events with some of the best faculty and instructors in their fields. Information about all Governor’s Schools is located at www.wvgovschools.org .
The Department of Education and the Arts is a department of state government providing statewide leadership and innovation, enhancing arts and minds throughout West Virginia. Composed of five agencies and a number of special programs originating from the Cabinet Secretary’s Office, the Department seeks to reinforce the rich heritage of culture, education and artistic creation in West Virginia. Education and the Arts celebrates the perseverance and resilience of the mountain character through public broadcasting, libraries, rehabilitation, professional development, community volunteerism and culture and history.
For more information concerning the Governor’s School for the Arts, contact Sherry Keffer at 304-558-2440 or via email at sherry.l.keffer@wv.gov .
Visit the Governor’s School for the Arts website http://www.wvgovschools.org/GSA/index.html.