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The Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) is a public
performing arts The performing arts are arts such as music, dance, and drama which are performed for an audience. They are different from the visual arts, which are the use of paint, canvas or various materials to create physical or static art objects. Perfo ...
high school located in
Mount Vernon Mount Vernon is an American landmark and former plantation of Founding Father, commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, and the first president of the United States George Washington and his wife, Martha. The estate is on ...
,
Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore was ...
,
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean t ...
,
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
and is part of the
Baltimore City Public Schools Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS), also referred to as Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) or City Schools, is a public school district in the city of Baltimore, state of Maryland, United States. It serves the youth of Baltimore Cit ...
system. Established in 1979, The Baltimore School for the Arts offers art concentrations in
vocal music Vocal music is a type of singing performed by one or more singers, either with instrumental accompaniment, or without instrumental accompaniment (a cappella), in which singing provides the main focus of the piece. Music which employs singing but d ...
,
instrumental music An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to instrum ...
,
acting Acting is an activity in which a story is told by means of its enactment by an actor or actress who adopts a character—in theatre, television, film, radio, or any other medium that makes use of the mimetic mode. Acting involves a broad r ...
, theater production,
dance Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire ...
,
visual arts The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile art ...
and
film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...
. The high school has produced numerous ''"Presidential Scholars"'' in the Arts and its students have gone on to attend major conservatories and Ivy League Schools. In 2020, BSA was named a ''Silver Medal School'' by the '' U.S. News & World Report'' magazine and was ranked 1,173th nationally and 29th in the state of Maryland (first overall in Baltimore City).


History

In 1979, the President of the Board of School Commissioners authored a Charter creating the Baltimore School for the Arts. In the form of a resolution of the School Board, this Charter followed many years of effort to create an arts high school, including a 1978 recommendation of a special Task Force appointed and given strong support by then Mayor
William Donald Schaefer William Donald Schaefer (November 2, 1921 – April 18, 2011) was an American politician who served in public office for 50 years at both the state and local level in Maryland. As a Democrat, he was the 45th mayor of Baltimore from December 1 ...
, (1921–2011), erved 1971–1986 ater_Governor_of_Maryland,_1987–1995,_Comptroller_of_Maryland,_1999–2007.html" ;"title="Governor_of_Maryland.html" ;"title="ater
ater_Governor_of_Maryland,_1987–1995,_Comptroller_of_Maryland,_1999–2007">Governor_of_Maryland.html"_;"title="ater_Governor_of_Maryland">ater_Governor_of_Maryland,_1987–1995,_Comptroller_of_Maryland,_1999–2007_The_BSA_was_created_as_part_of_the_Baltimore_City_Public_Schools_ Baltimore_City_Public_Schools_(BCPS),_also_referred_to_as_Baltimore_City_Public_School_System_(BCPSS)_or_City_Schools,_is_a__public_school_district__in_the_city_of_Baltimore,_state_of_Maryland,_United_States._It_serves_the_youth_of_Baltimore_Cit_...
_system,_however_the_charter_provided_the_BSA_with_the_structure_and_the_authority_to_design_and_implement_policies_and_programs_necessary_to_be_successful_in_its_mission_as_a_pre-professional_arts_high_school._The_charter_stated_"that_it_differ_from_other_Baltimore_city_high_schools_by_training_students_with_potential_for_careers_in_the_performing_and_visual_arts."


_Mission

The_Baltimore_School_for_the_Arts_is_a_school_that_intends_to_prepare_its_students_for_careers_in_the_arts._The_school_provides_qualified_students_with_training_in_one_of_five_arts_disciplines:_music_(vocal/instrumental),_visual_arts,_theatre_(acting/stage_design_and_production),_dance,_or_film_in_combination_with_a_comprehensive,_ ater_Governor_of_Maryland,_1987–1995,_Comptroller_of_Maryland,_1999–2007">Governor_of_Maryland.html"_;"title="ater_Governor_of_Maryland">ater_Governor_of_Maryland,_1987–1995,_Comptroller_of_Maryland,_1999–2007_The_BSA_was_created_as_part_of_the_Baltimore_City_Public_Schools_ Baltimore_City_Public_Schools_(BCPS),_also_referred_to_as_Baltimore_City_Public_School_System_(BCPSS)_or_City_Schools,_is_a__public_school_district__in_the_city_of_Baltimore,_state_of_Maryland,_United_States._It_serves_the_youth_of_Baltimore_Cit_...
_system,_however_the_charter_provided_the_BSA_with_the_structure_and_the_authority_to_design_and_implement_policies_and_programs_necessary_to_be_successful_in_its_mission_as_a_pre-professional_arts_high_school._The_charter_stated_"that_it_differ_from_other_Baltimore_city_high_schools_by_training_students_with_potential_for_careers_in_the_performing_and_visual_arts."


_Mission

The_Baltimore_School_for_the_Arts_is_a_school_that_intends_to_prepare_its_students_for_careers_in_the_arts._The_school_provides_qualified_students_with_training_in_one_of_five_arts_disciplines:_music_(vocal/instrumental),_visual_arts,_theatre_(acting/stage_design_and_production),_dance,_or_film_in_combination_with_a_comprehensive,_University-preparatory_school">college_preparatory_ A_college-preparatory_school_(usually_shortened_to_preparatory_school_or_prep_school)_is_a_type_of_secondary_school._The_term_refers_to_public,__private_independent_or_parochial_schools_primarily_designed_to_prepare_students_for_higher_education_...
_academic_program._The_theater_and_music_majors_are_split_into_two_groups_each:_for_the_theater_department,_there_is_both_acting_and_Scenic_design.html" ;"title="University-preparatory_school.html" "title="Governor of Maryland">ater
Governor_of_Maryland.html"_;"title="ater_Governor_of_Maryland">ater_Governor_of_Maryland,_1987–1995,_Comptroller_of_Maryland,_1999–2007_The_BSA_was_created_as_part_of_the_Baltimore_City_Public_Schools_ Baltimore_City_Public_Schools_(BCPS),_also_referred_to_as_Baltimore_City_Public_School_System_(BCPSS)_or_City_Schools,_is_a__public_school_district__in_the_city_of_Baltimore,_state_of_Maryland,_United_States._It_serves_the_youth_of_Baltimore_Cit_...
_system,_however_the_charter_provided_the_BSA_with_the_structure_and_the_authority_to_design_and_implement_policies_and_programs_necessary_to_be_successful_in_its_mission_as_a_pre-professional_arts_high_school._The_charter_stated_"that_it_differ_from_other_Baltimore_city_high_schools_by_training_students_with_potential_for_careers_in_the_performing_and_visual_arts."


_Mission

The_Baltimore_School_for_the_Arts_is_a_school_that_intends_to_prepare_its_students_for_careers_in_the_arts._The_school_provides_qualified_students_with_training_in_one_of_five_arts_disciplines:_music_(vocal/instrumental),_visual_arts,_theatre_(acting/stage_design_and_production),_dance,_or_film_in_combination_with_a_comprehensive,_University-preparatory_school">college_preparatory_ A_college-preparatory_school_(usually_shortened_to_preparatory_school_or_prep_school)_is_a_type_of_secondary_school._The_term_refers_to_public,__private_independent_or_parochial_schools_primarily_designed_to_prepare_students_for_higher_education_...
_academic_program._The_theater_and_music_majors_are_split_into_two_groups_each:_for_the_theater_department,_there_is_both_acting_and_Scenic_design">Stage_Design_and_Production,_and_the_music_department_is_split_into_vocal_and_Musical_instrument.html" "title="Governor of Maryland, 1987–1995, Comptroller of Maryland, 1999–2007">Governor_of_Maryland.html" ;"title="ater Governor of Maryland">ater Governor of Maryland, 1987–1995, Comptroller of Maryland, 1999–2007 The BSA was created as part of the
Baltimore City Public Schools Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS), also referred to as Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) or City Schools, is a public school district in the city of Baltimore, state of Maryland, United States. It serves the youth of Baltimore Cit ...
system, however the charter provided the BSA with the structure and the authority to design and implement policies and programs necessary to be successful in its mission as a pre-professional arts high school. The charter stated "that it differ from other Baltimore city high schools by training students with potential for careers in the performing and visual arts."


Mission

The Baltimore School for the Arts is a school that intends to prepare its students for careers in the arts. The school provides qualified students with training in one of five arts disciplines: music (vocal/instrumental), visual arts, theatre (acting/stage design and production), dance, or film in combination with a comprehensive, University-preparatory school">college preparatory A college-preparatory school (usually shortened to preparatory school or prep school) is a type of secondary school. The term refers to public, private independent or parochial schools primarily designed to prepare students for higher education ...
academic program. The theater and music majors are split into two groups each: for the theater department, there is both acting and Scenic design">Stage Design and Production, and the music department is split into vocal and Musical instrument">instrumental An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to inst ...
. A further mission of the school is to serve as an arts resource for the Baltimore community by offering performances, educational workshops and extensive after-school training in the arts to Baltimore children. This is offered through a program called TWIGS, which is open to 2nd–8th graders.


Arts

The Baltimore School for the Arts is a four-year public high school that provides young people with intensive, pre-professional training in the arts within the context of a comprehensive, college preparatory academic curriculum. Working with a distinguished faculty, students pursue any one of five disciplines—the visual arts, music (vocal or instrumental), theater (acting or theater production), dance and film—in an environment that emphasizes professionalism and scholarship. In addition, the school maintains artistic relationships with local organizations such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Center Stage (theater), Center Stage, the Hippodrome Theatre (Baltimore), Hippodrome Foundation, and the Walters Art Museum, Walters Museum.


Academics

Students learn a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum built on the core values of a liberal arts education. Despite admissions being based entirely on artistic review, BSA has a graduation and college acceptance rate close to 100 percent. Alumni go on to attend the nation's most distinguished colleges, universities, art schools, liberal arts colleges, and conservatories.


Admission

About 400 students attend the school, coming from public and private schools in and around Baltimore. Students are accepted by an audition or portfolio review only– without regard to grades or academic performance. Rising 9th and 10th graders may apply to attend. Of the 1,000 or so students that audition each year, about 115 are accepted for enrollment.


Campus and facilities

Situated in
Mount Vernon Mount Vernon is an American landmark and former plantation of Founding Father, commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, and the first president of the United States George Washington and his wife, Martha. The estate is on ...
, a historic cultural district immediately north of
downtown Baltimore Downtown Baltimore is the central business district of the city of Baltimore traditionally bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the west, Franklin Street to the north, President Street to the east and the Inner Harbor area to the ...
, BSA is located in two buildings on the corner of Madison Avenue and Cathedral Street. It occupies the former Alcazar Hotel and a historic brownstone, specially designed to educate students for future careers in the arts. Workspaces consist of music practice rooms, art and dance studios, a film editing lab, a costume/scene shop, and a state-of-the-art Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology (CCAT) located in the third floor library. Performance spaces include a black box theater, a recital hall, an art gallery and a theater for larger performances and galas.


In media

*The school in the film 2006 film '' Step Up'' was a fictionalized version of BSA, called The Maryland School for the Arts. There are some significant differences between the institution portrayed in the film and the real school, and some parts of the movie were filmed in the school. *The Maryland School for the Arts also provided the setting for the 2008 film sequel to '' Step Up'', ''
Step Up 2 the Streets ''Step Up 2: The Streets'' is a 2008 American dance drama film directed by Jon M. Chu (in his feature film directorial debut) and written by Toni Ann Johnson and Karen Barna. It serves as a sequel to 2006's '' Step Up'' and the second installment ...
'' although most of the actual filming of the movie did not take place inside BSA.


Notable alumni

*
Jada Pinkett Smith Jada Koren Pinkett Smith (; née Pinkett; born September 18, 1971) is an American actress and talk show host. She is co-host of the Facebook Watch talk show '' Red Table Talk'', for which she has received a Daytime Emmy Award. ''Time'' name ...
, actress *
Mia Brownell Mia Brownell (born 1971) is an American painter whose work has been described by the ''Boston Globe'' art critic Cate McQuaid as "a 21st-century take on the 17th-century genre, pulled off with thrilling technique -- a postmodern fruit cocktail that ...
, artist *
Christian Siriano Christian Vincent Siriano (born November 18, 1985) is an American fashion designer and member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Siriano first gained attention after winning the fourth season of American design competition ...
, Fashion designer and ''
Project Runway ''Project Runway'' is an American reality television series that premiered on Bravo on December 1, 2004. The series focuses on fashion design. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted by time, mater ...
'' winner * Tracie Thoms, actress *
Makeba Riddick Makeba Riddick-Woods (also known as "Girl Wonder") is an American singer-songwriter who has been active since 2005. She is originally from West Baltimore, Maryland, US. Currently she is managed by Jay-Z's record label and production house, Roc ...
, songwriter *
Josh Charles Joshua Aaron Charles (born September 15, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for the roles of Dan Rydell on '' Sports Night; '' Will Gardner on '' The Good Wife'', which earned him two Primetime Emmy Award nominations; and his early wo ...
– Actor *
Antonio Hart Antonio Hart (born September 30, 1968) is a jazz alto saxophonist. He attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, studied with Andy McGhee at Berklee College of Music, and has a master's degree from Queens College, City University of New York. H ...
,
Jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...
saxophonist * Katherine Needleman, classical
oboist An oboist (formerly hautboist) is a musician who plays the oboe or any oboe family instrument, including the oboe d'amore, cor anglais or English horn, bass oboe and piccolo oboe or oboe musette. The following is a list of notable past and pres ...
*
Larry Gilliard Jr. Lawrence Gilliard Jr. (born September 22, 1971) is an American actor who has appeared in films, television series, and theatre. He portrayed D'Angelo Barksdale on the HBO drama series '' The Wire'', a role which earned him critical acclaim. He is ...
, actor * Stefania Dovhan,
Soprano A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261  Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880& ...
* Sara VanDerBeek, photographer *
Shalita Grant Shalita Grant (born August 28, 1988) is an American actress best known for portraying NCIS Special Agent Sonja Percy on '' NCIS: New Orleans.'' She is also known from her roles on ''Mercy Street, You, Santa Clarita Diet,'' and '' Search Party.'' ...
, actress * Shinique Smith, Painter, sculptor, Installation and
Video Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving visual media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, which were quickly replaced by cathode-ray tube (CRT) sy ...
Artist * Jacqueline Green, American ballet dancer *
Bresha Webb Bresha Webb (born Breshae Renee Webb; May 6, 1984) is an American actress. She starred as Imunique Jefferson in the TV One comedy series ''Love That Girl!'' from 2010 to 2014. She later has appeared in films ''Meet the Blacks'' (2016), '' Acrimo ...
, actress *
Moses Ingram Monique Denise Ingram (born February 6, 1994), known professionally as Moses Ingram, is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jolene in the Netflix miniseries '' The Queen's Gambit'' (2020). For this role, she was nominated for ...
, actress *
Rachel Hilson Rachel Naomi Hilson (born October 30, 1995) is an American actress. She started her career in 2010 with a recurring role on the CBS legal drama ''The Good Wife'' as Nisa Dalmar. She has also had recurring roles on NBC's '' Rise'' and ''This Is Us' ...
, actress *
Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the b ...
, Artist


References


External links

*
Maryland Report Card – Baltimore School for the Arts

Baltimore School for the Arts at Baltimore City Schools
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baltimore School For The Arts Art schools in Maryland Public high schools in Maryland Magnet schools in Maryland Public schools in Baltimore Schools of the performing arts in the United States Educational institutions established in 1979 1979 establishments in Maryland Mount Vernon, Baltimore