The Conservatory of Fine Arts is a Saturday morning supplemental instructional program, offered on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles, that is open to third through twelfth grade LAUSD students who have been identified as talented in the arts or recommended by their regular schools.  

 

Both District arts instructors and professionals from arts fields stretch students' abilities in their selected disciplines. Instructors provide differentiated instruction with a broad and varied curriculum aligned to the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework. Vocabulary and historical context of the arts are emphasized. Students focus on the skills and techniques needed to be ready for a career in the arts.  

 

Instruction

Instruction is provided on select Saturdays for each academic year.

Performing Arts Division

Offers instruction to students who have talent in drama, dance, and/or voice.

Visual Arts Division

Serves students talented in drawing and painting.

 

Final Gala Events

 

Performing Arts

Final Showcase Performance

Esteban Torres High School auditorium

 

Visual Arts

Final Art Exhibition

Ronald H. Silverman Fine Arts Gallery at Cal State LA 

 

Parent Testimonials

"My son is a quiet boy. Since he has attended the Conservatory he is more confident and participates in school plays. He feels he can take on the world. I THANK LAUSD for this program."

 

"The Fine Arts program has taught my daughter to be confident, focused, creative, and to be creative with non-verbal communication. This program is a very structured and tailored program. I am very satisfied as a parent."

 

"This is a safe educational space where both my children are able to explore, develop, and create their art... Here you can take your time and observe details and get into the process. Safe place! Conservatory is very important to us."

 

"We see great value in this program... Kids are developing their talents in visual arts through your creative arts program. It's very important... we see the development and love it. Really appreciate you having this program in place for us to come to... This is an amazing program and we hope to do all 10 years of it, from 3-12th grades."

 

"My daughter suffers from anxiety and this program has helped tremendously to help her overcome some of her fears. It's invaluable for her self-confidence and I greatly thank you for letting my daughter be a participant."

 

How to Apply

Interested applicants can access the application on https://apply.lausd.net. Parents must create a profile if they have not already applied to another program through the website (e.g. magnet, SAS, open enrollment). Once parents have entered information about their child, a Verification Form will be generated. This form must be printed and signed by the principal of the child's school of attendance. If the student has not been identified as talented by the LAUSD audition/demonstration process, a teacher or administrator familiar with the child's abilities in the selected talent area must complete a verification checklist. (The Audition/Demonstration process occurs semi-annually in November and May). Applications for the 2020-2021 season are tentatively projected to open in August 2020.

 

Students "identified" in the area of talent have first enrollment priority and will receive a letter of invitation to attend; non-identified returning students have second priority; new recommended applicants will be placed by lottery depending on availability of space.

 

School personnel may refer to the Memorandum titled "Gifted/Talented Programs Conservatory of Fine Arts" to obtain the paper application and referral instructions.

 

Charter Schools

Due to state restrictions, the administrator of an LAUSD authorized independent or affiliated charter school must contact the Charter Schools Division to coordinate payment through the fee-for-service process for each new student to participate.

 

Transportation

Please note that transportation is not provided for this program; parents are expected to furnish transportation.