California State Summer School for the Arts– InnerSpark

Summer Program
Valencia, California


		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
California State Summer School for the Arts–InnerSpark
916-274-5815
Fax: 916-274-5814
http://www.innerspark.us

Type of Program: Arts program
Participants: Coeducational, grades 9–12
Enrollment: More than 520
Program Dates: July 12 through August 8
Head of Program: Robert M. Jaffe, Director

Location

The California State Summer School for the Arts–InnerSpark is held at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), a fully accredited degree-granting institution of higher learning for students of the visual, cinematic, and performing arts. Established through the vision and generosity of Walt Disney in 1961, CalArts is located in Valencia, a residential community situated 25 miles north of Hollywood in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Background and Philosophy

The California State Summer School for the Arts–InnerSpark is a rigorous preprofessional training program in the visual and performing arts, creative writing, animation, and film for talented artists of high school age. InnerSpark provides a supportive environment in which students hone acquired skills and explore new techniques and ideas for an intense and exciting learning experience. The School was created by the California Legislature and held its first session in 1987. Its purpose is to provide a training ground for future artists who wish to pursue careers in the arts and entertainment industries in California. The California State Summer School for the Arts–InnerSpark is a state agency funded through a unique public-private partnership.

Program Offerings

Students apply for the opportunity to study in one of the School’s seven departments. They receive 3 units of California State University elective credit for successful participation.
Animation students explore the theories and techniques of animation in studio workshops conducted by leading artists in the field. Course work in two-dimensional animation, figure drawing, and conceptual issues in art is augmented by visits from guest animators and tours of Hollywood animation studios. Students attend screenings of animations that demonstrate the history and breadth of the art form.
    Students in the Creative Writing Program receive individualized instruction in poetry, fiction, and scriptwriting. They work with an award-winning faculty in small groups and have opportunities to learn from visiting writers, literary agents, journalists, and poets. Students and faculty members share their work with the School community in weekly open readings and publish an anthology at the end of the session.
    InnerSpark’s Dance Program provides a rigorous course of dance instruction. The curriculum includes intensive training in ballet, modern, body conditioning mat technique, choreography, dance history, and jazz. Students have the option of taking classes in improvisation and modern repertory or pointe and ballet repertory.
Film and Video students receive instruction and experience in film and video production techniques. They work with Super-8 and 16-mm film and a variety of video media to create short works individually and in collaboration with other students. They attend film screenings, meet filmmakers and producers, and go on field trips to film studios and locations of interest in the Los Angeles area.
    InnerSpark’s Music Program for vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers is designed to develop each student’s creativity, fundamental musicianship, and understanding of contemporary musical history and styles. Courses include musicianship and theory, twentieth-century musical styles, improvisation, world music, composition, electro-acoustic computer music, piano, and voice. Students receive private lessons and participate in student ensembles. The School presents leading professionals in concerts and master classes.
    The Theatre Program is an intensive acting course that emphasizes the development of physical and vocal awareness and control as essential elements of the actor’s craft. Classes are held in tai chi chu’an, acting, movement, voice, story, stage combat, physical comedy, stage acrobatics, and musical theater. There are special forums, workshops, and guest lecturers. Students perform works-in-progress throughout the summer.
    InnerSpark’s Visual Arts Program offers studio classes in figure drawing, design, painting, digital art, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and digital and traditional photography. Lectures on topics of importance to visual artists are given by guest artists and others. Workshops are conducted by visiting artists, and students go on field trips to local museums and galleries.

Enrollment

California residents enrolled in grades 9 through 12 may attend InnerSpark. Students from outside of California may also apply; a limited number are admitted each year. Participants are selected in the spring on the basis of their talent and creativity, as demonstrated through assignments and teacher recommendations. InnerSpark’s student body is representative of the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the state. The admissions process is highly competitive; in 2007, approximately half of all applicants were accepted. Students who attend the School are named California Arts Scholars.

Daily Schedule

On Monday through Saturday, breakfast is available in the cafeteria beginning at 7 a.m. Regular classes are held between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and generally last about 3 hours each. One hour is set aside for lunch. Students have opportunities to participate in special interdisciplinary classes and other activities from 4 to 6 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 to 7 p.m. Evenings are devoted to rehearsals, self-paced studio work, film screenings, collaborative projects, concerts, lectures, sports activities, and informal student performances and poetry readings in the student coffeehouse.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

There is a full schedule of recreational opportunities available on weekdays and Saturdays after class and all day on Sundays. Optional field trips to California attractions such as Disneyland, the Los Angeles Music Center, and the Getty Museum are offered on Sundays at cost.

Facilities

The main building on the 60-acre campus is a five-level multiwinged structure of 500,000 square feet that houses art and electronic music studios, classrooms, dance spaces, rehearsal rooms, theaters, galleries, film editing laboratories, sound and video stages, animation studios, libraries, the bookstore, and the cafeteria. All students reside in Chouinard Hall, the student dormitory. Tennis courts and a large swimming pool are located adjacent to the facility. Spacious lawns with shade trees, open fields, and large hillside areas provide room for sports and relaxation.

Staff

InnerSpark faculty members are accomplished practicing professional artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, and filmmakers. Many are distinguished college and university instructors. The teacher-student ratio is roughly 1:9. The School employs a registered nurse and assistants, a licensed counselor, and a recreation director. The CalArts Residential Life staff, supervised by an experienced professional director, includes 18 graduate student resident assistants. CalArts security personnel are on campus at all times.

Medical Care

A registered nurse is on duty Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Emergency and after-hours care and medical referrals are available through Santa Clarita Valley Quality Care (medical walk-in center), Kaiser-Permanente (HMO), and the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, all of which are located within 4 miles of the campus.

Religious Life

InnerSpark is a nonsectarian institution. Students with parental permission and prearranged transportation may leave the campus to attend religious services.

Costs

The comprehensive fee covering room, board, and tuition for California residents is $1400; for out-of-state attendees, it is $4400. Students must pay a $60 credit registration fee if they wish to receive California State University credit. Animation, Film and Video, and Visual Arts students pay additional materials fees of $120. The nonrefundable application fee is $20. A small amount of pocket money for laundry, postage, and souvenirs is recommended. Optional Sunday field trips are offered at cost. A nonrefundable deposit of 30 percent of the comprehensive fee is required upon acceptance. Payment plans are available.

Financial Aid

InnerSpark provides financial aid for applicants based on demonstrated need. Nearly 40 percent of the students who attend InnerSpark have from 20 percent to 90 percent of their tuition paid by the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) Foundation. A financial aid request form is included in the InnerSpark application flyer. A request for financial aid does not affect a student’s chances of being accepted. Financial aid is available only to California residents.

Transportation

The Hollywood/Burbank airport is located 20 miles south of CalArts and is served by major domestic airlines. InnerSpark provides transportation to and from this airport on the first and last day with prior reservation. Those who come by car should take Interstate 5 to the McBean Parkway exit and head east. The campus entrance is on the immediate right.

Application Timetable

Inquiries are welcome throughout the year. The application postmark deadline is February 29, 2008. Letters of acceptance are sent out by the first week in May. The application assignments require careful preparation, so interested students should download the application forms as early as possible.