“The Arts Institute was my passion in high school and shaped me into the person I am. I am forever grateful and confident I will give back in the future to support other young, creative minds.” -Blaze Bautista, Former Student and Scholarship Recipient 2018
“We must include the arts in the education of all students if we want our children prepared for the challenges of life and work in our global society. The challenges of today, and most certainly of tomorrow, require the abilities, skills, habits, and knowledge that education in the arts is uniquely able to provide.” -Kent Seidel, Executive Director, Alliance for Curriculum Reform, University of Cincinnati
“We live in a creativity economy where people with creative skills are more valued than ever before.” -Nik Hafermaas, Art Center College of Design
“The reality of life in the 21st century is that the skills associated with artistic practices – creative thinking, self-discipline, collaboration, and innovation – are skills that are in great demand. In fact, in our rapidly changing global economy, the skills the arts teach may be mandatory for everyone’s success.” -Robert Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts
friends of The Arts Institute
at Palm Springs High School
P.O. Box 813
Palm Springs, CA 92263
friendsoftheartsinstitutepshs@gmail.com
The Arts Institute at Palm Springs High School is a model arts education program offering interested high school students enhanced learning experiences for artistic growth and preparing them for educational and job opportunities in the arts beyond high school. Palm Springs High School was the first school in California to offer a program of this nature. When the Arts Institute started in 2005, there were less than 25 students enrolled. Today, there are over 300 students participating, and the number continues to grow each year. Students enrolled in the Arts Institute take the same core classes, including honors and advance placement classes, and master the same California State Standards required of all Palm Springs High School students. The significant difference is that Arts Institute classes are taught through the lens of the arts utilizing a “cross-arts” approach. Arts Institute students benefit creatively and educationally from “arts rich” assignments, experiencing guest speakers in the arts, and attending out-of-school arts related opportunities. The program teaches students to be creative problem solvers and inspires them to excel in a creative field of their choice. Each class offered within the Arts Institute is fully accredited and accepted for college admission. Additionally, during their senior year, Arts Institute students have the opportunity to work with an arts professional as their personal mentor to acquire employable skills.
Friends of the Arts Institute
P. O. Box 813
Palm Springs, CA 92263