postgraduate study
at The academy
A Postgraduate Year at The Academy helps grow your artistic capacity while experiencing Chicago as a classroom.
Your Postgraduate Daily Schedule
The Academy’s Postgraduate Year is intentionally flexible, allowing you to design a schedule that best supports your goals.
Morning Options
Enroll in 1 - 2 academic courses to strengthen writing, critical thinking, science skills or transcript preparation
or
Use the morning for exclusive access to arts studios, rehearsal spaces, and practice rooms
Afternoons
Intensive, major-specific arts training alongside faculty mentors
Collaborative work with peers across disciplines
Access to critiques, rehearsals, production work, and exhibitions
What You Will Earn
Upon completing two academic semesters in the Postgraduate Year, students receive The Academy Certificate in Arts Training with an Arts Area of Specialization in their chosen discipline.
Your postgraduate year
The Postgraduate Year at The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a one-year arts-intensive program designed for high school graduates who want additional time, space, and mentorship to strengthen their artistic voice before entering college, conservatory studies, or the professional world.
Rooted in The Academy’s belief that Chicago is our campus, this program offers emerging artists a rare opportunity to immerse themselves deeply in their discipline while remaining connected to the cultural, creative, and professional resources of the city.
Who Should Consider This Program
The Postgraduate Year at The Academy is ideal for students who:
Want to strengthen auditions, portfolios, reels, or performance readiness
Are seeking a purposeful gap year centered on artistic growth
Desire individualized mentorship and time to mature creatively and personally
Want flexibility in academics while prioritizing studio practice
Are preparing for competitive arts programs or professional pathways