Governor's School of the Arts
Application Due: January 8th
February 17: Final Round Auditions/Reviews
GSA is an arts education program of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. GSA is offered at no cost to the student, and is made available through funding from the state, as well as private fundraising. The value of GSA is $3,800 per student.
What is it?
For three weeks every summer, over 200 of Kentucky’s most talented and creative high school students are invited to grow and learn together at the Governor’s School for the Arts’ college summer residence program. Rising juniors and seniors in high school are offered in-depth instruction in one of nine artistic disciplines: architecture + design, creative writing, dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theatre, new media, visual art, and vocal music.
For three weeks every summer, Kentucky’s most talented and creative high school students are invited to grow and learn together at the Governor’s School for the Arts’ college summer residence program. Rising juniors and seniors in high school are offered in-depth instruction in one of nine artistic disciplines: architecture + design, creative writing, dance, drama, film + photography, instrumental music, musical theatre, visual art, and vocal music.
The honor of experiencing GSA includes:
Attending the program for FREE (all students receive full tuition, room and board).
Opportunities to learn in a supportive community of distinguished master-teachers.
College preparation, career counseling, and the chance to meet college representatives during an exclusive GSA college fair.
Arts-related community service opportunities.
The excitement of performing/exhibiting at the Student Festival at the conclusion of the program.
Serious fun!
Students are immersed in a rigorous schedule of daily seminars, master classes, lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips. While each student specializes in one art form, all students participate in structured, interdisciplinary arts experiences designed to familiarize them with the joys and challenges of specialties other than their own. Upon completion of the summer program, students become part of the ever-growing GSA alumni network, gaining a variety of opportunities such as scholarships and funding through the Toyota Alumni Fund.
GSA RESOURCE LIBRARY
Students, Parents, Educators (or any supporter of the arts) can use the tools below to learn more about GSA, from the application process to the summer program itself.
GSA 2023 Brochure
GSA 101 Powerpoint: Want to give a presentation about GSA to your community? Utilize this powerpoint we created for 2022, which includes presenter notes to help you discuss the summer program and application process. An updated powerpoint for 2023 will come this fall.
Applicant Guides: Want to know the application requirements that GSA had in all 9 artforms for 2022? Review those guides here. Please note that applicant guides are subject to change every year.
How To Submit The Best Videos For Your Application: Acceptd is the platform GSA uses for students to submit their application every fall. In the application, we'll ask you to shoot and submit videos. Please review this link for tips and tricks on how to do just that. Not everything suggested in this video is necessary for GSA, but it's a great overview!
GSA YouTube Channel: We suggest that you review the "GSA 2022" playlist. Videos for GSA 2023 will be posted this fall.
GSA Instagram & Facebook: Use these social media platforms to keep yourself up-to-date about our program. Let's connect!
Virtual Info Session: GSA 101!
An overview of GSA’s summer program and the application process. Click here to view a recording of this webinar. Recorded on October 1, 2020.
Virtual Info Session: What’s an Applicant Guide?!
An overview of these important documents and how applicants can use them to submit the strongest application possible. Click here to view a recording of this webinar. Recorded on October 15, 2020.
Virtual Info Session: GSA Application Walk-through!
A step-by-step review of what it’s like to complete a GSA application. Click here to view a recording of this webinar. Recorded on October 29, 2020.
Recorded Informational Sessions: Meet Your Adjudicators!
Dates/times listed below
Conversations with adjudicators in each art form about what they’re looking for in GSA applicants. Q&A included; each session will be recorded and made available here afterward. FREE, BUT REGISTRATION REQUIRED VIA LINKS BELOW.
Architecture & Design: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, November 17th Click here to view a recording of this session.
Creative Writing: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, December 3rd Click here to view a recording of this session.
Dance: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, November 16th Click here to view a recording of this session.
Drama: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, December 2nd Click here to view a recording of this session.
Film & Photography: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, November 19th Click here to view a recording of this session.
Instrumental Music: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, December 1st Click here to view a recording of this session.
Musical Theatre: 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT, November 20th Click here to view a recording of this session.
Visual Art: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, November 18th Click here to view a recording of this session.
Vocal Music: 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT, December 4th Click here to view a recording of this session.
Preliminary application requirements are due on January 9th.