The Visual and Performing Arts High School Program is predicated in the belief that all artistically talented students, regardless of socio-economic level or academic orientation, share the desire to develop, achieve and succeed aesthetically, creatively and personally. The program attracts students from all strata of the school population. Special Needs students are routinely accepted. Private and parochial school students who reside in Jersey City are also welcomed participants. For these students, the VPAHSP works collaboratively with their administrative and guidance personnel to develop alternate/creative scheduling models which facilitate participation.

All components - music, drama and visual arts offer a stimulating experience which not only educates towards technical refinement but also challenges students to exceed normal expectations. Students' individual interests and goals impact the customized curriculum as teachers, mentors and students work collaboratively to achieve the singular objective of mastering the skills and expertise imperative to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Ann Marley, VA Supervisor

The Program is located on the campus of New Jersey City University, where students attend 10 credit classes daily. Students may audit college level courses, and access one of the most contemporary and innovative campus libraries in the northeast. VPAHSP students are permitted access to theater, music and art events at NJCU including opera, vocal and jazz performances, and art exhibits at gratis or discounted rates.

Also on campus, is an expansive Multi-Media Department which houses several television studios available for student projects. The Multi-Media Department serves as a host site for the prestigious Black Maria Film Festival in which Drama students may participate.

Students in the Performing Arts annually attend master classes taught by the world�s most influential artists. They also attend the statewide Reading Series and Showcases where they perform with professional working actors. An annual theater festival and concert series gives students the opportunity to perform and share experiences with other Performing Arts students in the district.

Dave Radulich, PA Supervisor

Performing Arts students in the program are routinely accepted to top colleges and universities such as Penn State, Bard, Boston University, Florida State and Yale as well as local colleges and universities, including New Jersey City University, Montclair State University, The College of New Jersey, Centenary College and Rutgers University.

In the Fall of 2003, twelve vocalists and instrumentalists participated in the Third Annual Festival of the Arts in Oberhavel, Germany.

Since 1995, Performing Arts students consistently have won scholarships and awards and have ranked in the high levels of their classes. Graduating students of the Drama programs have worked in venues ranging from Off-Broadway to Regional Theater, from independent film to cable, as well as cabarets and showcases.

Visual Arts students are offered the opportunity of taking Saturday and/or summer classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts, Printmaking Council of New Jersey, the Newark Museum and the Jersey City Museum. Apprenticeships with local professional artists are cultivated.

Community involvement and interaction is key to the success of the visual arts component. Students exhibit their work throughout the local and county community. Students provide commercial art work requested by local businesses and often are offered employment opportunities.

Portfolio preparation, slide production, journal writing and interview skills are emphasized throughout the four years. Graduating students produce "one person exhibits" as their exit requirement and assume responsibility from the design of the invitation to the opening reception to providing "walks and talks" for the community guests. To date, over $9,000,000 in scholarship money has been received by our art students. Visual Arts students in the program are routinely accepted to top colleges and universities on full or partial scholarships.... such as Cooper Union, Stanford, Parson�s School of Design, Pratt Institute, School of Visual Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, Maryland Art Institute, Yale, as well as local colleges and universities including New Jersey City University, Rutgers University, St. Peter�s College and the College of New Jersey.

Since 1988, Visual Art students repeatedly have won awards and recognition on local, county, state and national levels through such organizations as Scholastic Art Awards, National Foundation for the Arts, Arts Recognition and Talent Search, Governor�s Award for Visual Arts, Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation Program, Teen Arts, Emerging Artists, and Fresh Perspectives which is hosted by the Morris Museum and the Dodge Foundation.

Visual Arts students have been highlighted on New Jersey Network�s Classroom Close-Up through the New Jersey Best Practice Program, Senior Stories. Senior Stories is a collaborative project with senior residents at St. Ann�s Nursing Home, St. Joseph�s Nursing Home, and our visual arts students.

Annually a gala art exhibition is held at the historic Loew�s Theater, Journal Square, Jersey City. The exhibit includes works from all participating art students. In 2001, UPN-Good News hosted by Robert Bell, highlighted the exhibit on the nightly news broadcast for both the visual and performing arts components.

The Visual Arts faculty are active practicing artists as well as educators exhibiting in New York Art Galleries as well as local and state venues. Each year the Visual Arts Component seeks to expand the artistic horizons of our students.

Twenty students traveled to Paris, France in 2000 for a �Tour of the Masters�. Eighteen students traveled to Oberhavel, Germany in 2003 for an International Youth Cultural Exchange. Future trips are in the planning stages.