WHAT
IS THE PROGRAM ABOUT?
Each December, some 200 gifted arts students,
grades 6, 7 & 8, are selected from a county-level
audition process open to all interested students.
Participating local schools release the students
during school hours one day weekly for 12 weeks,
starting in February. Round trip bus transportation
from local schools to the program sites in Middlesex
and Monmouth Counties is provided to most school
districts by AMS buses. With the full support
and assistance of participating school districts,
the program seeks, identifies, and recruits
students by the following means: Countywide
press releases; mailings of program literature
to schools, public libraries, student homes,
etc. Our master artists tour hands-on workshops
to local school classrooms, acquaint students
and teachers with the high caliber of AMS arts
instruction, and distribute program literature.
The Arts Middle School offers courses in the
literary, performing and visual arts. In a challenging
and nurturing environment, distinguished teaching
artists provide a rigorous curriculum for developing
artistic skills and creative expression. Themes
related to society’s different cultures
are included in the curriculum. Also, an interarts
component encourages students from different
arts disciplines to work together. The comprehensive
program enhances problem-solving abilities,
interpersonal skills, and helps students become
more fluent in discussion of their art form.
A student festival, open to the public, closes
the season in May.
WHEN ARE CLASSES HELD?
Classes in Middlesex County are held on Wednesdays,
starting in February and continue for 12 weeks.
Hours are from 1:00 –to 4:00 PM. Classes
in Monmouth County are held on Thursdays, starting
in February and continue for 12 weeks. Hours
are 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.
WILL I BE LET OUT OF SCHOOL TO ATTEND THE CLASSES?
Yes, you will be released from your regular school each week to attend the classes. Students, however, are responsible for making up any missed work or assignments.
HOW WILL I GET TO THE CLASSES EACH WEEK?
School buses will pick up the students at their school and return them to their home school after Arts Middle School classes are completed.
HOW DOES MY SCHOOL SUPPORT THE PROGRAM?
The participating school districts in Middlesex & Monmouth County act as sending schools. Superintendents appoint school liaisons, who distribute program literature, meet with interested students, assist with special needs and remain in contact with our office for the season. Participating schools pay a prescribed tuition fee for each enrolled student that includes busing.
In other districts, students may attend the
program but are responsible for their own tuition
and busing fees.
WHAT FEES DO THE STUDENTS PAY?
All students are responsible for payment of an
audition fee ($35-$50, depending on how many
classes the student is auditioning for) and an
enrollment fee of $50 which is payable once a
student is accepted into the program. There is
also a $40 material fee for students in the Visual Arts or Photography class.
WHAT CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE?
There are over twenty different classes being
offered in the Middlesex County Arts Middle
School or the Monmouth County Arts Middle School.
You can read a description about the different
courses in the Middlesex
County Arts Middle School here. Course descriptions
for the Monmouth
County Arts Middle School are available here.
WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS?
All Arts Middle School instructors are distinguished working artists, most have advanced degrees in their area of expertise.
WILL
I RECEIVE A GRADE FOR THE CLASS?
A grade of Honors, Good, Pass or Fail is based
on successful completion of one course of study.
An honors grade is based on outstanding achievement.
Students who pass their course of study are
awarded Certificates of Achievement or an Honors
Certificate. Students’ records are
forwarded to their sending schools for proficiency
credits and notation on school transcripts.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Interested students should file an application
with the Arts & Education Center before
the November 15 deadline. Additional applications
are available from sending schools, Arts and
English teachers, guidance counselors or school
principal, or directly from the Arts & Education
Center office. You can also apply online for
Monmouth
County Arts Middle School or
Middlesex County Arts Middle School.
WHAT TIME IS MY AUDITION?
To be announced...
WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY AUDITION?
All students with applications sent by the November
15 deadline will be notified by mail of their
scheduled auditions and requirements.
Click
For Audition Information.
MAY I AUDITION FOR MORE THAN ONE CLASS?
Students may audition for more than one art form in the same season, but will be selected for only one course of study per season.
WHEN
WILL AUDITIONS BE HELD?
Auditions for Monmouth County Arts
Middle School will be held on Saturday, Dec 3,
2011. Auditions for Middlesex County Arts Middle
School will be held on Sunday, Dec 4, 2011.
HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?
FOR INFORMATION and to request additional applications
and annual newsletter call or write: Arts
& Education Center,154 Main Street, Suite
102, Matawan, NJ 07747. Tel.
(732) 566-ARTS (2787) – Fax (732) 566-2005.
E-mail: Info@ArtsandEdCenter.org or visit our
web site: www.ArtsMiddleSchool.net.
This program has been made possible in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey Cultural Trust.
Copyright © 2009 Arts & Education Center. All rights reserved
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