California State Summer School for the Arts Seeks Applicants

The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) is celebrating its 25th summer of educating California students in all artistic disciplines, and the school is seeking San Mateo County applicants. As budget shortfalls are forcing schools across the state to cut arts programs, CSSSA continues to educate future artists from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. 

CSSSA provides rigorous training in disciplines such as theater, music, dance, creative writing, film and art during a four-week, residential program.

Students are selected based on the strength and promise of their applications. Of the more than 1,500 applicants each year, 500 students are selected from California, in addition to 20 students from outside of California. Of these students, 40 percent receive partial or full financial assistance, made possible through organizations and businesses such as Union Bank, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Lionsgate, Pixar, Disney, Wells Fargo, the Annenberg Foundation and many more.

2009-2010 San Mateo County students qualified for a total of $2,630 in financial aid.

Additionally, 18 of the students each summer are awarded college scholarships from the Herb Alpert Foundation.

For more information, including how to apply, visit www.csssa.ca.gov. The application deadline is Feb. 28.