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Guide: Media Arts in NYC Public High Schools
Guide: Media Arts in NYC Public High Schools
What does “Media Arts” include?
In NYC Public Schools (NYCPS), Media Arts includes many different types of classes! It can include filmmaking, video production, TV production, animation, and more. These classes can also incorporate many different kinds of skills, like computer-based digital arts, camera operation, screenwriting, editing, and directing.
Do I need to attend a special Arts high school to pursue Media Arts?
No! Media Arts programs exist in many different types of high schools. While there are arts-themed high schools that include Media Arts programs, there are also Media Arts classes at non-themed high schools. Finally, some schools have Media Arts-focused Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE Programs receive a special designation from NY State, and have a focus on developing technical skills, industry connections, and workplace experience.
Do I need to have prior experience in Media Arts to pursue it in high school?
Not necessarily! There are many schools and programs that do not require prior experience in Media Arts. There are also some more selective schools and programs that will want to see examples of your creative work – like photographs, creative writing, drawings, short films, etc. – to understand your imagination, vision, and style.
Check MySchools to learn more about specific schools’ and/or programs’ eligibility requirements and admissions processes.
Where can I find general information about high school admissions?
Please visit the NYCPS High School Enrollment page for additional information.
The list that follows is current as of March 23, 2026 and reflects schools’ self-reported information to the NYCPS Arts Office’s open call. The list continues to grow! Please email Hannah Berson in the NYCPS Arts Office to include your school.
For our full Film & Media Pathways Doc, please click below:
For our full Film & Media Pathways Doc, please click below:
Workshop: How to shoot at home and/or on an iPhone
Workshop: How to shoot at home and/or on an iPhone
Portfolio Prep for Media Arts Students
Portfolio Prep for Media Arts Students
This creative and practical tutorial helps middle and high school students create a portfolio for high school or college film and video programs. Students, artists and educators share tips on how to navigate the application process -- from getting ready for interviews, to putting together the best work samples.
Copyright Myths
Copyright Myths
As you are making your film, the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment has put together these helpful questions about tips for copyright in film-making.
Head here to see the full presentation.
Music
Music
To use music in your NYC Public School Film Festival submission, it needs to be either original, in the public domain, or licensed under Creative Commons.
Public domain music refers to all the music whose rights are expired, that don’t have copyrights or the music whose authors submitted into the public domain.
Creative Commons is a system that allows you to legally use “some rights reserved” music, movies, images, and other content — all for free. CC offers free copyright licenses that anyone can use to mark their creative work with the freedoms they want it to carry.
Websites for Legal Music Use:
Websites for Legal Music Use:
Where music composers post tracks for royalty free licensing to video producers. All of the music in this online library can be licensed for royalty free use in films, videos, video games, YouTube videos or other digital multimedia productions. You are not required to credit the artist, but it is appreciated.
Find lots of royalty-free music by Moby for your projects. The only condition is that you use it for an independent, non-profit film or project, video or short. You are not required to credit Moby.
Free classical music; browse by composer, performer, instrument, form and time period. You are not required to credit the artist.
How to Use Music in Your Film
Most films you’ve watched include songs and background music to make the films better, and you probably want to do the same. Here’s what you need to know about how to get music into your film:
Can I use any song I want in my film?
Can I use any song I want in my film?
No, not any song. Movie studios often use a lot of popular copyrighted songs in their movies, but they usually go through a long and expensive process to get the written permission, or “license,” from the songwriter, artist, and/or music label, to use the songs they want.
No, not any song. Movie studios often use a lot of popular copyrighted songs in their movies, but they usually go through a long and expensive process to get the written permission, or “license,” from the songwriter, artist, and/or music label, to use the songs they want.
For the NYC Public School Film Festival, you can include any music composed by you, in the public domain, or music from one of the approved websites listed on “Websites for Legal Use” on the last page. All other music requires a license from the artist, performer, and/or music label.
For the NYC Public School Film Festival, you can include any music composed by you, in the public domain, or music from one of the approved websites listed on “Websites for Legal Use” on the last page. All other music requires a license from the artist, performer, and/or music label.
What’s “public domain” music?
What’s “public domain” music?
“Public domain” music refers to music that is not protected by copyright because the rights have either expired or the artist has waived their rights. Songs performed before January 1, 1927, are not protected under U.S. copyright law. However, newer versions of that same song created after January 1, 1927, may not be in the public domain.
“Public domain” music refers to music that is not protected by copyright because the rights have either expired or the artist has waived their rights. Songs performed before January 1, 1927, are not protected under U.S. copyright law. However, newer versions of that same song created after January 1, 1927, may not be in the public domain.
Some of the resources from Websites for Legal Use provide music in the public domain that you are free to use in your film.
How do I get the license for a song I want to use in my film?
How do I get the license for a song I want to use in my film?
If the song you want isn’t composed by you, in the public domain or from one of the approved websites provided, you’ll have to reach out to the songwriter, artist and/or their music label to get permission.
If the song you want isn’t composed by you, in the public domain or from one of the approved websites provided, you’ll have to reach out to the songwriter, artist and/or their music label to get permission.
If you are able to get a signed license agreement to use a song for your film, you must submit a copy of the agreement along with your application.
If you are able to get a signed license agreement to use a song for your film, you must submit a copy of the agreement along with your application.
Make sure that the license agreement allows the song to be used for the duration of NYC Public School Film Festival and beyond.
I’ve picked all the music I want to put in my film. Now what?
I’ve picked all the music I want to put in my film. Now what?
You must submit a completed Music Use Form stating:
You must submit a completed Music Use Form stating:
the song’s title,
the artist’s name, and
where you got the music from (website, URL, license agreement, etc.)
If a film is submitted with music that is not composed by you, in the public domain, from one of the approved websites, or licensed, you will be asked to either
If a film is submitted with music that is not composed by you, in the public domain, from one of the approved websites, or licensed, you will be asked to either
1) resubmit the film with music that complies with this policy or
1) resubmit the film with music that complies with this policy or
2) remove the music altogether.
2) remove the music altogether.
To avoid any complications or delays with your submission, please make sure that all the music included in your film is listed in the Music Use Form and in compliance with these guidelines.
To avoid any complications or delays with your submission, please make sure that all the music included in your film is listed in the Music Use Form and in compliance with these guidelines.
I picked the music for my film, got any required licenses, and listed all the music on the Music Use Form. Is there anything else I need to do?
I picked the music for my film, got any required licenses, and listed all the music on the Music Use Form. Is there anything else I need to do?
Yes. You must check to see whether the websites where you took the music or the music license requires you to list the song’s name, composer, performer, or music label in your film’s credits. If you need to list this information on the film credits, add it to the Music Credit Sheet and we will add the information to the credits at the end of your film.
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