What Is GSA?
For three weeks every summer, over 200 of Kentucky’s most talented and creative high school students are invited to grow and learn together at the Governor’s School for the Arts’ college summer residence program. Rising juniors and seniors in high school are offered in-depth instruction in one of nine artistic disciplines: architecture + design, creative writing, dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theatre, new media, visual art, and vocal music. The honor of experiencing GSA includes:
For more information please visit the GSA Website:
For three weeks every summer, over 200 of Kentucky’s most talented and creative high school students are invited to grow and learn together at the Governor’s School for the Arts’ college summer residence program. Rising juniors and seniors in high school are offered in-depth instruction in one of nine artistic disciplines: architecture + design, creative writing, dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theatre, new media, visual art, and vocal music. The honor of experiencing GSA includes:
- Attending the program for FREE (all students receive full tuition, room and board).
- Opportunities to learn in a supportive community of distinguished master-teachers.
- College preparation, career counseling, and the chance to meet college representatives during an exclusive GSA college fair.
- Arts-related community service opportunities.
- The excitement of performing/exhibiting at the Student Festival at the conclusion of the program.
- Serious fun!
- Students are immersed in a rigorous schedule of daily seminars, master classes, lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips. While each student specializes in one art form, all students participate in structured, interdisciplinary arts experiences designed to familiarize them with the joys and challenges of specialties other than their own. Upon completion of the summer program, students become part of the ever-growing GSA alumni network, gaining a variety of opportunities such as scholarships and funding through the Toyota Alumni Fund.
For more information please visit the GSA Website:
Important GSA Dates:
2019-2020
GSA VISITING TRINITY - Wed. Oct. 9, 2019 7:00pm CONVOCATION HALL
Registration for 2019 College & Career Day Opens Online
Open to 2018 & 2019 Alumni of GSA
September 6, 2019
Deadline To Register For 2019 College & Career Day Online
September 27, 2019
2019-2020 Application Launch & Artform Guidelines Posted Online
October 4, 2019
2018 College & Career Day For GSA Alumni
October 25, 2019
Louisville, KY
Youth Performing Arts School
2019 Prep Workshops
Registration opens online October 4! Dates coming soon!
2019 Additional Workshops & Info Sessions Provided By GSA Partners
Additional prep workshop dates and info sessions around the state are on the way!
Preliminary Round Application & Recommendations Deadline
January 10, 2020
Web Announcement of Finalists & Finalist Attendance Confirmation
February 26, 2020
Finalist Attendance Confirmation Due
February 28, 2020 Noon Eastern Standard Time
Notification to Finalists of Audition or Review Time (via Acceptd message)
March 6, 2020
2020 Final Round Auditions & Reviews
March 20 - March 22, 2020
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Friday auditions and reviews are usually from 12PM - 6PM Eastern.
Saturday or Sunday auditions and reviews are usually from 9AM - 6PM Eastern.
Please note the following: Auditions/reviews for Architecture + Design, Film + Photography and Instrumental Music: Percussion will only be held on Saturday or Sunday.
Finalists will need to only attend one day of the weekend but are required to attend their audition or review in person.
Class of 2020 Web Announcement
April 10, 2020 at 12pm Eastern
Class of 2020 Acceptance Agreement Due
April 24, 2020
2020 Summer Program
June 28 - July 18, 2020
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Open to 2018 & 2019 Alumni of GSA
September 6, 2019
Deadline To Register For 2019 College & Career Day Online
September 27, 2019
2019-2020 Application Launch & Artform Guidelines Posted Online
October 4, 2019
2018 College & Career Day For GSA Alumni
October 25, 2019
Louisville, KY
Youth Performing Arts School
2019 Prep Workshops
Registration opens online October 4! Dates coming soon!
2019 Additional Workshops & Info Sessions Provided By GSA Partners
Additional prep workshop dates and info sessions around the state are on the way!
Preliminary Round Application & Recommendations Deadline
January 10, 2020
Web Announcement of Finalists & Finalist Attendance Confirmation
February 26, 2020
Finalist Attendance Confirmation Due
February 28, 2020 Noon Eastern Standard Time
Notification to Finalists of Audition or Review Time (via Acceptd message)
March 6, 2020
2020 Final Round Auditions & Reviews
March 20 - March 22, 2020
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Friday auditions and reviews are usually from 12PM - 6PM Eastern.
Saturday or Sunday auditions and reviews are usually from 9AM - 6PM Eastern.
Please note the following: Auditions/reviews for Architecture + Design, Film + Photography and Instrumental Music: Percussion will only be held on Saturday or Sunday.
Finalists will need to only attend one day of the weekend but are required to attend their audition or review in person.
Class of 2020 Web Announcement
April 10, 2020 at 12pm Eastern
Class of 2020 Acceptance Agreement Due
April 24, 2020
2020 Summer Program
June 28 - July 18, 2020
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Audition Information from 2019 (last year):
| 2019 Architecture & Design Application Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Creative Writing Applicant Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Dance Applicant Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Drama Applicant Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Film & Photography Applicant Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Instrumental Music Applicant Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Musical Theatre Applicant Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Visual Art Applicant Guide.pdf |
| 2019 Vocal Music Applicant Guide.pdf |