FAME provides active learning, individualized instruction, and an appreciation for the arts - cultivating students who think critically, create boldly, and carry the discipline of artistic mastery into every area of their lives. FAME has grown into a proven, nationally recognized model for how arts integration transforms middle school learning. 

What makes FAME unique?

FAME is the only middle school arts and media program of its kind in Richland School District Two. What sets FAME apart isn’t just access to the arts, it’s how deeply the arts are woven into everything students do. True cross-curricular learning happens in classrooms. The arts aren’t a separate period-they’re a lens for every subject. Students work directly with professionals through partnerships with the Columbia College Dance Department, district honor ensembles, and community arts organizations, gaining mentorship and exposure most middle schoolers don’t get. FAME graduates leave prepared to enter Richland Northeast High School’s Convergence Media program or audition for the Palmetto Center for the Arts, giving families a clear six-year arc from exploration to specialization.

What type of student would most benefit from participating in FAME?

FAME is open to any student with the desire to learn, grow, and flourish in the visual and performing arts, regardless of prior experience, academic record, or ability. Because admission is by lottery rather than audition or test scores, FAME welcomes students at every skill level.

FAME is an especially strong fit for:

• Curious students who want to explore multiple art forms before committing to one

• Students who learn best through hands-on, project-based experiences rather than traditional instruction alone

• Creative thinkers who thrive when art is connected to real academic content — science, social studies, language, and literature