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| Arts-savvy teens sought By Stacy Trevenon--[ stacy@hmbreview.com] Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 3:57 PM PST The California State Summer School for the Arts is seeking talented high school-age visual, literary, media and performing artists for its summer program "InnerSpark." Teens selected for the program will be designated California Arts Scholars, and attend one of the country's premier summer arts programs held at California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, July 14 to Aug. 11. They will spend four weeks studying and working with professional, national-stature artists, writers and performers. InnerSpark offers instruction in animation, music, dance, film and video, theater, creative writing and the visual arts. Coastside alumni of the program include Half Moon Bay High School arts students Myra Messner who is now a Half Moon Bay High senior, Kelsey Booth who currently attends San Jose State University and Kelley Hoffman who owns thegraphicworks.com in Montara. Local students who also took part in the program in 2006 include Morgan Kennedy and Adeline Newmann, both of Half Moon Bay and both pursuing fine arts like painting, photography or sculpture. Program information, application forms and instructions can be accessed through the Web site www.innerspark.us. The application deadline is Feb. 28. The program also provides a link to institutions of higher learning, major performing and fine arts organizations, and the film, television and recording industries. Those who complete the program will get three units of California State University course credit. The Legislature created the California State Summer School for the Arts to establish a training environment for young California artists. Beginning in 1987, it has served more than 9,500 students. For many it has been a first step toward careers in the arts. Other program alumni include actor James Franco (of the "Spiderman" movies), Emmy award-winning animator Craig McCracken, writer and Parade magazine managing editor Dakila Davina and 2006 American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee. An enthusiastic InnerSpark fan, according to Director Robert M. Jaffe, is California Gov. and former film actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This year, his financial support of the program allows InnerSpark to significantly lower its tuition fees. InnerSpark charges California students with the means to pay, a comprehensive fee of $1,350 to cover room, board and tuition for the four-week summer program. Students from outside California may also apply for the program, and must pay a comprehensive fee of $4,400. Financial aid is available. "No student who has the drive and talent to succeed in the application process will be denied admission solely on the basis of inability to pay," said Jaffe. "It's an incredible opportunity for talented young people ... Nothing compares to it in the country." To learn more about InnerSpark, call (916) 274-5815 or visit innerspark.us on the Web. |