The
Governor's Institutes of Vermont, an independent 501(c)(3) non profit educational organization, offers highly successful summer learning experiences in seven program areas. It began nearly 25 years ago when the Vermont commissioner of Education and the Director of the Vermont Arts Council met to examine the extraordinary deficiency that existed in arts education in the state's public schools. With these founding partners the
Governor’s Institute on the Arts was establshed to address the problem. GIV seeks students from all walks of life, from the economically disadvantaged and rurally isolated to those who have had many opportunities but are under served by their schools.
No other program in Vermont addresses the need to provide similar intensive residential educational opportunities for these talented students. The arts institute creates a lively artistic community of artists and motivated students exploring creativity.
The Institute enrolls about 130 students annually, coming from virtually every high school in the state, and offers them the opportunity to study with professional artists in their chosen field. The Institute is designed to explore the creative experience in all areas of the arts, including dance, music, poetry, painting, sculpture, graphics and theater arts. Students choose courses in the area of most interest in the arts, but are also encouraged to take courses in areas in which they are unfamiliar.
Local school systems are urged to select students who show evidence of strong potential but may have been poorly served by the system. Priority is given to students who have completed 10th and 11th grades. Space is also made available for students who are home-schooled or in other schooling situations.The Arts Institute is held on the campus of Castleton State College in its Fine Arts Center for classes and performances as a gift-in-kind.
If you are a high school student with a strong interest in the arts you are encouraged to apply to the Institute.
Click here to learn how to apply.