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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 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 their art form with a focus on conservatory style study.  Transportation is provided to GSA by the local school divisions. 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. 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.

Each department at GSA is tailored to meet the demanding needs of each art form.  The unique nature of the school provides a variety of arts experiences in both traditional and non-traditional environments.  Each department creates a season of performances and exhibitions open to the public, and are held in professional theaters and galleries. Over 50 productions and exhibitions are presented yearly.  The performance and exhibition experience is conducted in a professional atmosphere where students learn the real-life workings of on-stage, backstage, and gallery life.

Goals supporting the mission are:

• Prepare students to engage the arts thoughtfully and creatively while becoming life-long learners and advocates of the arts.

• Offer instruction through classes, performances, and in cross-disciplinary
opportunities by a faculty of professional instructors, artists, and mentors.

• Provide exceptional performance and exhibition experiences in state-of-the-art
facilities.

• Prepare and inspire students to meet the most rigorous admission requirements
of colleges, universities, conservatories, internships and other career
opportunities.

• Encourage and provide opportunities for students to use their talents in service
to others.

• Create relationships with educational organizations and partnerships with arts
organizations and the community at large.

• Build audiences to appreciate and enjoy the arts within the community.