By Valerie Victor
The Queens Council on the Arts is currently recruiting new students to be part of its High School to Art School program for the fall. All high school seniors in New York City are eligible to apply, and the program is free for all accepted applicants.
Spring and summer programming is available to juniors in addition to seniors. Hanna Washburn, the High School to Art School program coordinator said, “previous experiences in the arts are not as important as drive to pursue an artistic career, and devotion.”
According to Washburn, the goal of the scholarship-based program is to assist students in putting together a creative and impressive portfolio—which can give them a better chance of being accepted into competitive art colleges.
“Our fall program offers extensive preparation through rigorous art instruction; field trips to museums, galleries and artist studios; and regular college application workshops,” said Washburn.
While portfolio development is key, the school will help students polish other academic skills such as essay-writing, properly filling out college applications and financial-aid planning. The Art School program has a history of high success rates for undergraduate admissions and scholarship assistance for participating students.
“One hundred percent of the class of 2014 gained admission into the top 20 national universities, including The Cooper Union, Parsons, New York University and Rhode Island School of Design, among many others” Washburn said.
All interviews will take place this Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Queens Council of the Arts, at 37-11 35th Ave. in Astoria. Applicants are required to fill out an application on the QCA website and schedule an interview time. Prospective students must arrive to the interview with a portfolio holding a minimum of five recent works. To apply visit www.queen
