The Missouri Fine Arts Academy provides a unique program of artistic, extracurricular, and social opportunities to Missouri's talented high school students, and has done so since 1996. Click here to learn more about MFAA...
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MFAA Home > FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the purposes of the Missouri Fine Arts Academy?
The Missouri Fine Arts Academy is a three-week residential program for about 200 of Missouri's artistically talented students who are ready to begin their junior or senior year in high school. The Academy has three primary purposes:
1. To help artistically gifted students achieve their full potential and motivate them to use their abilities in attaining higher goals.
2. To encourage local schools to establish and/or improve programs for artistically gifted youth.
3. To provide leadership in curriculum development, teacher training and the development of special materials and teaching strategies that employ interdisciplinary arts instruction to improve education within artistic disciplines and the wider curriculum.
2. When and where does the Academy operate?
The dates for the 2008 Academy are Sunday, June 8 through Saturday, June 28, including weekends, on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
3. How are students selected?
All public school districts and private high schools in Missouri are eligible to nominate at least one sophomore or junior student for the Academy. Larger schools have the option of nominating more than one student on a prorated basis according to enrollment. All districts or private schools are also eligible to nominate an additional student, if that student is a dancer.
Schools nominating students for the Academy are required to complete a comprehensive application that includes an example of the student's particular area of talent. A selection committee appointed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education screens and evaluates all nominations before selecting qualified participants.
4. How does the Academy differ from regular high schools?
The Academy is a residential school that operates seven days a week, enrolls only artistically talented students, and provides a curriculum different from that found in a public or private school. It offers unique opportunities for students to enhance their artistic abilities and creative energies, to explore the various roles the arts play in society, and to encounter the arts in an interdisciplinary forum.
5. What is the curriculum for the Academy?
The Academy's curriculum is designed to give participants an opportunity to pursue studies that differ from traditional approaches to arts education. Guest lectures, forums, films, and other events during the Academy reinforce and extend the curriculum. The formal curriculum is divided into two areas of study:
1. Interdisciplinary Artistic Studies: Students spend each morning five days a week studying the arts in interdisciplinary formats.
2. Traditional Artistic Studies: Students spend each afternoon five days a week in intensive pursuit of their primary area of artistic ability.
6. What is the extracurricular and recreational program?
A full schedule of diverse activities is offered during afternoons, evenings, and weekends to enhance the Academy curriculum. In the evenings, the students attend the special Fine Arts Academy series of concerts, theatre productions, and lectures, featuring outstanding artists and speakers from throughout the state and nation. Social and recreational activities are planned.
7. Who teaches at the Academy?
Faculty and staff for the Academy are selected from among highly qualified applicants, representing public and private high schools, colleges, universities, and professional arts businesses. The staff is chosen on the basis of students' needs and interests and an applicant's abilities, interests, and willingness to participate with students in rigorous and challenging work.
8. Are grades or credit given?
Neither grades nor credit are given; however, all students successfully completing the program receive a special certificate of commendation. College applications often provide students with an opportunity to explain their participation in special programs such as the Missouri Fine Arts Academy.
9. What is the cost to students?
Operating funds for the Academy are provided by the State of Missouri; therefore, there is no cost to students or their families for tuition, room and board, Academy-related activities, books, and instructional materials. However, the cost of travel to and from the Academy, personal and incidental expenses, and health insurance are the responsibility of the students and families.
10. What can students expect from residence hall life?
Students live in Wells House, located relatively near all facilities utilized by the Fine Arts Academy. Academy participants are assigned by gender to separate halls. Each Academy student shares a room with another participant. Room assignments are made by Academy officials. Each student is issued a key to his/her residence hall room. Supervision of the residence hall is provided by the resident assistants (RAs), each of whom works closely with about 15-20 students. In addition, regular university security procedures ensure a safe environment for participants.
11. Are participants allowed leaves of absence or visitors?
The Fine Arts Academy program is concentrated and intensive. Departures from and visitors to the Academy are disruptive and compromise the safety and security of the students at the Academy, and are not allowed. It is impossible to accommodate requests for departures and to track visitors for each individual student without jeopardizing both the quality of the curricular and extra-curricular programs and the security of the students.
Classes and enrichment activities are scheduled throughout the three weeks, including weekends. Participating students are expected to register at the beginning of the program, remain in residence for the duration, and will be dismissed by noon on Saturday, June 28 after the closing convocation. Participants are not excused to attend conventions, conferences, camps, workshops, competitions, pageants, family vacations, etc, including events on the Missouri State University campus, such as the ACT test. Leaves of absence permitted only in emergency situations with the prior permission of the director.
12. What health services are available?
The Academy contracts for the part-time services of a Licensed Practical Nurse, when appropriate and available, to handle routine medical issues free of charge to Academy students. University health services also are available to Academy students, if needed. Taylor Health and Wellness Center, located on the Missouri State University campus, bills the students' families for such services. All charges from physicians, hospitals, or pharmacies are the families' responsibility. Contact information for University health providers is detailed in family mailings. If a student has special health or dietary needs and/or medication requirements, Academy officials must be notified prior to the start of the Academy. Students are responsible for self-administering medication.
13. Do students have an opportunity to participate in religious services?
Arrangements for optional attendance at religious services at several churches located in town are made during registration.
14. Do students have unscheduled time?
Students have limited unscheduled time. Non-academic days include both mandatory and optional activities.
15. What is a typical daily schedule?
7:00-8:15 a.m. Breakfast
8:30-9:30 a.m. Breakfast/Self-directed work and activities
9:45-11:45 a.m. Interdisciplinary coursework
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Lunch
1:00-1:30 p.m. Academy Assembly
1:45-5:00 p.m. Instruction and practice in area of primary discipline
5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30-9:30 p.m. Special entertainment, concerts, seminars, study time, recreation, performances
10:00 p.m. Curfew and house meeting
11:00 p.m. Lights out
For more information contact administrators.