WE ARE!

The Fine Arts Academy exists to develop well-rounded students, critical thinkers, collaborators, and a community of arts advocates.

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Well-rounded Students

The McCallum community maintains a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. All McCallum students share the same academic classes, and Fine Arts Academy classes and auditions are open to any McCallum student. McCallum students, including both Fine Arts majors and general population students, take an average of six Fine Arts courses over the course of their high school careers.

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Critical Thinkers

Instruction at the McCallum Fine Arts Academy teaches students how to be a critical thinker. Students are challenged and taught to analyze, critique, and revise their work. The Fine Arts faculty holds students to a high standard and requires students to develop self-discipline and the motivation to do their best work. Our students learn to ask important questions and work hard to get the answers. Critical thinking is as key to learning to create an artwork or choreography a dance as it is to be successful at math and music. The McCallum Fine Arts Academy holds its’ students to the highest standards for their work which requires critical thinking, accepting constructive critique, and the willingness to analyze, practice, and revise.

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Collaborators

Performing and visual arts students work as members of a team. This happens within each arts strand as well as across strands. There are many opportunities for students to work with those in other areas of the arts. Art students plan and execute gallery exhibitions that go up before a major Fine Arts Academy event in the theatre. Orchestra members perform with dancers, singers, and actors. Band and orchestra come together as a full orchestra to prepare and present music for contest. Students collaborate with the broader arts community through in-school and outside-of-school partnerships with organizations such as MINDPOP, the Austin Classical Guitar Society, ZACH, Generous Arts, and many others. These few examples prove that McCallum Fine Arts Academy students benefit from a broad range of experiences throughout high school.

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Arts Advocates

By encouraging our students to explore multiple art forms during their time at McCallum, we cultivate future arts advocates who are able to speak firsthand about the value of the arts in education and in the fabric of society. We also have parent organizations which advocate for exemplary fine arts education in Austin ISD. When it’s time to support McCallum, the arts, or other important causes, the Fine Arts Academy enlists the help of our students and parents.

Pursuing an artistic career can be an exhausting, emotional journey. Whether your goal is to learn new skills, launch an independent business or work within the industry, McCallum Fine Arts Academy is the perfect place to build the foundation. And as a student here, you will have access to our amazing, supportive network throughout your time studying, while searching for a job and as an alumni.

We are dedicated to teaching the skills and providing the hands-on experience necessary for successful futures, both personally and professionally. Take a look through our site to learn more.