i like art in high school, but I don't want to be a professional artist
/By Joyce Szuflita
Who says you have to pick your career in high school?
The high school art audition programs get the reputation as being only for the singularly passionate or wildly talented. The idea that the “Fame” school (LaGuardia) is only about becoming a professional artist and dancing on cabs is overrated. When searching for high schools, many students disregard those programs immediately, because they don’t think of themselves as “those kids” or as talented enough. If you have no interest, then they are not for you. If you like doing whatever (performing or visual arts) and wouldn’t mind digging deeper, then you should investigate further.
They are college prep programs. There are certainly students who will go on to conservatories, but not the majority. Most of the kids who are headed to higher education from these programs are going to regular colleges and universities and happily participating in the marching band, or improv group, or glee club or just becoming well rounded adults with an informed interest in participating or consuming the arts. I know a kid who got a 4 year full tuition merit scholarship on the strength of an essay that explored their commitment to the arts and how it supported their commitment to science. The arts are important. They are the energy that often drives the happiness for 16 year olds to continue working through academics. It helps students make connections, humanize theory, and innovate.
An art audition program is also an avenue for entry in the public high school admissions process. As an admission criteria that is not solely based on grades or test scores it may be able to continue through this admissions season of Covid. If your child would consider preparing an audition or portfolio, encourage them. The programs are also usually quite diverse racially and there is the common ground of shared interest, community and collaboration. We all need more arts in our lives to enrich, engage and develop empathy.
