CSA

The Community School of the Arts (CSA), a nonprofit school, was established in 1991 in order to provide affordable quality instruction in the visual and performing arts to children of all ages, abilities, and economic backgrounds in Knox County and the surrounding area. Under the direction of Jennifer Willard, CSA is one of only three schools in Tennessee to receive accreditation from the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts (NGCSA) and is a two time recipient of the Mayor’s Art Award. CSA’s students, over 120, come from all socio-economic backgrounds and get individual instruction, choral ensembles, and group classes in an accredited after-school program conducted by professional faculty five days a week throughout the school year. The annual Side-by-Side collaboration with Bennett Galleries pairs students in the visual arts program with professional, working artists. In addition to its regularly enrolled students, the school provides art classes for homeless children through a partnership with the Knox County Homeless Tutoring Project.

During the past year, this 15-year-old school had 178 students, 97% of whom attend on full scholarship based solely on financial need or at-risk assessment. The average length of stay is now 6 years. This spring, 2008, students from the CSA Modern Dance program will perform in their first professional production at the Bijou Theater and students in the Visual Arts Master Class will design and create the costumes and props. The 13 annual Side-By-Side art exhibit will feature the work of 24 students who have apprenticed with local professional artists. Recitals, as well as a spring performance series for senior citizens in Powell, are scheduled throughout April and May. Our church members assist with the CSA year-end Banquet in May.

Performing Arts: Individual Participation

Individual instruction in the musical arts is the focal point of the Community School of the Arts. Private lessons are offered in the disciplines of piano, violin and wind instruments, and beginning students are welcome. Lessons are usually one half-hour in duration once a week; Advanced students receive 40 minutes to one-hour instruction.

CSA faculty does not subscribe to one particular teaching method. Music literacy, sight reading skills and theory are part of a traditional curriculum that emphasizes technique and musicianship. All faculty members are professional musicians with at least a Master’s degree in their discipline.

Performing Arts: Vocal/Choral Programs

The Community School of the Arts offers a variety of opportunties for children of all ages and abilities to raise up their voices in song.

  • Youth Choir (Grades 3 and up) - Students are challenged with a variety of choral literature in many styles and languages and are taught music literacy skills. They also meet youngsters from all parts of Knox County as well as perform for a variety of audiences from around the area. The Youth Choir is inclusive, although a brief audition at the beginning of the year is required. and is free of charge to the community.
  • Children’s Choir (Kindergarten through Grade 2) - Young students learn music fundamentals such as rhythm and counting as well as enjoy new music and new friends. Choir members learn songs in a variety of languages and often perform with the Youth Choir. Membership is inclusive and open free of charge to any child who loves to sing and make music.
  • Vocal Pedagagy Class (grades 9 through 12) - High school students learn advanced vocal techniques, music literature, and performance etiquette while studying in an intimate class setting of five to seven students. Singers receive individual attention and vocal coaching for solo performance as well as work within the framework of the small ensemble. No audition or previous experience is required, but space is limited.

Visual Arts

The Community School of the Arts offers a variety of classes in which children may express themselves through the visual arts. Class size is limited to seven to twelve students per session.

  • General Techniques - In this weekly one-hour class, students are introduced to a variety of media and techniques including paper mache, ceramics, weaving, puppetmaking, and printmaking.
  • Art Therapy - This weekly class is designed for children with physical or emotional disabilities and emphasizes positive self-image through different art activities. Class size is small in order to maximize learning potential under the direction of a certified art therapist. Public art projects are the focus of another weekly class for advanced students. Students learn about different media, conceive and design their own proposals, and execute their designs. Recent projects include an outdoor mural for the Gourmet’s Market and large-scale woven wall-hangings for the KUB Conference Room.
  • Side-by-Side - This special apprentice program is open only to students who enrolled in a weekly CSA visual arts class. Students are paired with a professional artist in his or her studio, producing their own works of art side-by-side. Media range from glass-blowing and sculpture to ceramics and watercolors, and are displayed in a full-scale exhibition at the end of the year.

Adjunct Programs

CSA maintains a number of provider partnerships with other youth-oriented organizations throughout the area. These currently include Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC); the Crutcher Memorial youth Enrichment Center; Child and Family Services; and the Knox County Homeless Tutoring Project.

Tuition and Scholorships

Tuition is required for individual instruction and group classes; however, scholorships are liberally awarded for students with demonstrated financial need. CSA strives to maintain a ratio of 80% fully-funded scholorship students to 20% tuition-paying students. Scholorship applicants and returning students are given first priority for space, but every effort is made to accomodate all requests.