FULL ACADEMY CALENDAR
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Fall Open House
Join us for The Chicago Academy for the Arts Fall Open House, a special evening designed to help prospective families experience Academics at the nation’s premier independent high school for the arts.
November School Tour with Academy Admissions
Whether you're an incoming freshman exploring high school options, a middle school student looking ahead, or a family eager to see our community firsthand— we'd love to meet you! Bring a parent, sibling, or friend and discover what makes our school special.
Meet The Academy at the Marwen Portfolio Day
Got a sketchbook full of ideas? Bring it! Find The Academy at Marwen Portfolio Day on Saturday, October 3, where young artists can get real feedback on their work and learn what it takes to apply to an arts high school. Note: It's free!
October School Tour with Academy Admissions
Can't wait until our Fall Open House on October 24th? This is a great way to get a lay of the land in the building before then — and there's no better time of year to see The Academy in action.
HIDDEN GEMS FAIR hosted at the academy
The Academy is thrilled to be hosting the Hidden Gems Fair by Chicago School GPS! It’s a great event for families exploring their options for high school + a great way to learn more about the nation’s premier independent high school for the arts.
Summer Tours
The weather's warming up — come see The Academy in summer mode!
Our Middle School Programs are in session this June, which means the building is alive with developing young artists across all six of our arts disciplines. It's one of the best times to tour: you'll see the school not as a quiet campus, but as a working arts space with students of all ages moving through it.
Whether you're hearing about The Academy for the first time, you're a prospective student or arts community member, or you've toured before and want to come back with a parent, sibling, colleague or friend — we'd love to meet you.
Tour Times
Friday, June 12 — 10:30 AM or 1:30 PM
Tuesday, June 16 — 10:30 AM or 1:30 PM
Tours run about an hour after a short presentation and include Department stops across Dance, Media Arts, Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts.
Select your time at the link below — and reach out to admissions@chicagoartsacademy.org if you have any questions.
All-School Showcase, ELEVATE
Get ready to celebrate a spectacular evening of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, musical theatre, and media arts at The Academy’s all-school showcase, ELEVATE: Chicago’s Artists Start Here!
Inside The Academy: Audition & Portfolio Prep Webinar
Thinking about applying to The Chicago Academy for the Arts? Join us for a virtual evening with our Arts Department Chairs to learn everything you need to know about the audition and portfolio review process.
You'll hear from the Arts Chairs who lead our Theatre, Musical Theatre, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Music, and Dance programs. They'll share what makes each program unique, what they're looking for in applicants, and their best advice for showcasing your potential.
Key takeaway: We're looking for potential, not perfection. Come learn what that means for your audition or portfolio!
This event will be recorded and available on our website for families who can't attend live.
Chicago Academy for the Arts, Parent Gathering at Heritage Bikes & Coffee
Join Academy parent Lindsey Stinnett for a relaxed morning of coffee and conversation at Heritage Bikes & Coffee. Learn more about student and family life at The Academy, and connect with other prospective families in an informal setting.
Amanda LePard and Sophia Oliver from the Academy Admissions team will be on hand to answer questions about the admissions process and share more about The Academy experience.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Heritage Bikes & Coffee is located at 2959 North Lincoln Park Avenue in Chicago.
Inside the Academy: From the Parent Perspective (Virtual)
Join us for this lunch hour webinar and hear from current Academy parents about what the Academy means to them and their student! Hear about these parents' experiences, gain insight into our strong community, and take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions in this relaxed, conversational setting.
Open House: Academics at The Academy
Join us for The Chicago Academy for the Arts Winter Open House, a special evening designed to help prospective families experience Academics at the nation’s premier independent high school for the arts. Meet faculty and students, explore our building, and learn how we combine rigorous college-preparatory academics with pre-professional arts training in a uniquely supportive, inspiring environment.