At the high school level, arts focus select students on the basis of demonstrated skill in fine arts, dance, drama or musical performance. Typically a school committee looks at a collection of a student's artwork and asks him or her to complete an on-site task. An admissions committee might also listen to or view tapes of musical, dance or drama performances and/or require an on-site performance. There may also be academic or attendance requirements as well.

Many of the large neighborhood high schools offer arts programs, which require a different admissions procedure than other programs in the school. Although most arts schools start in middle or high school, there are a few that begin in elementary school, such as Ballet Tech, Choir Academy of Harlem, Special Music School, PS 85 in the Bronx, and PS 131 and PS 212 in Brooklyn.

LaGuardia High School of Music, Art, and Performing Arts is the only specialized high school focused on the arts. Auditions are held in the fall for 8^th and 9^th graders. Ask your guidance counselor for a "ticket" to audition for the school. Students interested in applying for LaGuardia should consider attending the city's Summer Arts Institute, a free program held at Stuyvesant High School for four weeks in July. Rising 8th grade students can work on visual art portfolios or improve their audition technique for selective arts high schools. High school students who enroll in the institute can study dance, theater, vocal music, instrumental music, visual art, film or photography, and they can build portfolios for college applications. Admission to the institute is by application and audition.

Visit our Free Programs section, to see listings of museums, colleges, and organizations that sponsor free art programs for New York City children.