Baltimore School for the Arts

Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) is one of the nation's leading public arts high schools. Founded in 1980 and governed by resolutions that make it different from other city schools, the BSA admits students to its high school through highly selective auditions in dance, film, music, stage design and production, theatre, and visual arts. In 2019, there are 440 students in the high school, 89% from Baltimore City and 11% from surrounding counties. A diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and racial mix of students is a special quality of the school. Students are successful in both academic and artistic study: close to 100% of BSA students graduate on schedule and enter college immediately thereafter every year. College success rates are also excellent: 81% of recent graduating classes reported completing a bachelor’s degree in 6 years. There are 41 full-time and 74 part-time faculty members at BSA. The core of the arts faculty is composed of distinguished professional actors, dancers, musicians and visual artists. BSA is also the home of the TWIGS (To Work In Gaining Skills) free after-school and Saturday arts instruction program. In 2016 TWIGS is serving close to 700 2nd-8th grade children from 120 Baltimore elementary and middle schools. The program, for city residents only, offers classes in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts and provides important access to the arts for underserved children. BSA is supported by a non-profit 501c3, the BSA Foundation, which works in conjunction with corporations, foundations, and donors across Baltimore to help fund the high school, TWIGS, and other outreach initiatives. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Overseers, comprised of leading professionals in the community who share a commitment to supporting excellence and creating opportunity in Baltimore.