Passionate about arts education in our community? If so, join current students, alumni and faculty on March 23-24 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Governor’s School of the Arts (GSA).
The weekend celebration begins the evening of Friday, March 23 at the GSA’s Origin Gallery, from 7-9 p.m., The gallery is located on the second level of MacArthur Mall. For more information about this exhibit, click HERE.
The following evening, the Hilton Main will be the setting for the GSA’s 30th Anniversary Gala. The formal dress festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with an alumni cocktail party, followed by a seated dinner, silent & live auction and dancing. As expected, alumni and current students will be providing part of the evening’s entertainment. Individual tickets are $125, $100 if you are an alum! To purchase tickets, click HERE.
According to the GSA, regional Governor’s Schools were being developed as a strategy to promote statewide education excellence in the early 1980’s. During the administration of Governor Charles Robb, (1982- 1986), Governor’s Schools were established to bring together exceptionally talented and motivated students, and provide them with opportunities to study in a concentrated and intensive environment. Louise Lowenthal, a Virginia Beach art teacher, spearheaded the development of the first Governor’s School for the Arts during the summers of 1985 and 1986, when a six -week pilot program for the school took place on the campus of Old Dominion University. The emphasis of Governor’s Schools was placed on high expectations and innovative curriculum. The school became a full time program in 1987. The program has grown exponentially since then and recently expanded in downtown Norfolk.
The Governor’s School for the Arts is a center for innovation that develops excellence, nurtures creativity, inspires artistic vision and builds communities with a passion for the arts. The Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) offers premiere arts training in Hampton Roads in six departments: Dance, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, Theater & Film, Visual Arts and Vocal Music. Each department trains students to develop in their art form with a focus on conservatory style study.
The school serves the school divisions of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. There is no tuition fee for students to participate. Students may earn three credits for each year they attend GSA. Admission to GSA is by audition and any student in grades 8 -11 is eligible to apply. Applicants provide an application, teacher recommendations and permission from their high school principal. To attend GSA, the student must be enrolled in a public high school in one of the eight participating school divisions.
For more information about the Governor’s School of the Arts, visit their webpage HERE.
