WHERE PASSION MEETS PURPOSE
A family guide to our arts program, how they work, and how your student can join.
CREATE Home
The Big Idea
What is Passion4Learning?
Passion4Learning — or P4L — is Richmond Public School’s redesign of the high school experience. Every RPS high school is anchored in a rigorous, career-connected theme built on peer collaboration and hands-on learning.
At Richmond High School for the Arts, that theme is the visual and performing arts. On division and application materials, you may see it labeled CREATE, which is simply the RPS name for the arts pathway.
Students choose from several arts disciplines to hone their craft, preparing for a life working in the arts or simply becoming a lifelong lover of the arts.
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That is the goal. When P4L succeeds, every RPS student graduates ready for a choice-filled life: enrolling in higher education, securing employment in a living-wage career, or enlisting in public service.
EVERY STUDENT BELONGS. All RHSA students have access to arts electives and experiences. Students who discover a passion for a specific field may apply for entry in grade 10 or 11.
DANCE
Dancers train in ballet and modern technique while building the strength, musicality, and stage presence a performing career asks for. The sports medicine focus pairs that training with health and science and athletic training coursework, for students drawn to keeping bodies moving.
FOCUS AREAS:
Dance Performance
Dance Sports Medicine
WHAT THE AUDITION LOOKS LIKE
What to Prepare
A group technique class in ballet and modern, plus a prepared solo of one to two minutes in your strongest style. Wear fitted practice clothes, no costumes.
VISUAL ARTS
Students work across drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and design, building a portfolio that grows with them each year. Focus areas let a student go deep in two-dimensional work, three-dimensional work, or fashion.
FOCUS AREAS:
2D Art 3D Art
Fashion Visual Art
WHAT THE AUDITION LOOKS LIKE
What to Prepare
A portfolio of six to eight pieces you made yourself, including at least two drawings from direct observation. You will also complete a 25 minute observational drawing on site with materials provided.
THEATRE
Actors, singers, and designers learn the whole craft of live performance, from scene student and movement to the lighting and scenery behind it. Focus areas branch toward acting, musical theatre, or technical theatre.
FOCUS AREAS:
Acting Musical Theatre
Technical Theatre Theatre Arts
WHAT THE AUDITION LOOKS LIKE
What to Prepare
Two contrasting monologues, or one monologue and one song, each under a minute and memorized. You will also do a cold read and group theatre games. Wear clothes you can move in.
MUSIC
Singers and instrumentalists build technique, musicianship, and ensemble skill through four years of daily rehearsal and performance. Focus areas follow the choral, band, and orchestra tracks, with electives from AP Music Theory to audio production.
FOCUS AREAS:
Vocal Instrumental Band
Instrumental Guitar Instrumental Orchestra
WHAT THE AUDITION LOOKS LIKE
What to Prepare
Instrumental: One prepared piece, a sight reading exercise, and two memorized scales. Vocal: Prepare two to three minutes from classical, folk, gospel, jazz, or Broadway repertoire and bring sheet music for the judges.
MULTI-MEDIA ARTS
Writers, producers, and filmakers learn to make work for the page, the speaker, and the screen. This field is open to any student with serious interest, so no prior experience is needed to start
FOCUS AREAS:
Literary Arts Studio Recording
Film Studies and Production
WHAT THE AUDITION LOOKS LIKE
What to Prepare
No prepared audition is required. Your 20 minute session has two parts: first, you will watch a short clip and talk about what you noticed and the choices the creator made. Then, you will complete an interview. A portfolio or reel of your work is not required but is recommended.
Getting In
THREE WAYS TO ENROLL
Students are not expected to be experts. Adjudicators look for genuine interest, creative thinking, coachability, and a readiness to grow over four years of arts training.
1. In-Zone
Neighborhood students enroll in RHSA as their zoned school.
2. Audition
Students apply for a seat in a specific P4L field by performing an audition or presenting a portfolio in their chosen art form, followed by an interview with adjudicators.
3. Open Enrollment
Remaining seats open to students across the city based on availability.