Fine Arts Center

- 102 Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville, SC 29609

For decades, the Fine Arts Center in Greenville has stood as a beacon of artistic excellence, serving as the premier destination for artistically talented high school students across South Carolina. Established in August 1974, it holds the distinguished title of being the first specialized public arts school in the entire state. This institution is not simply an extracurricular program; it is a rigorous, audition-based, pre-professional training center dedicated to preparing the next generation of artists, performers, and creative thinkers for 21st-century careers and higher education.

The core mission of the Fine Arts Center is to provide advanced, comprehensive arts instruction within a dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative learning community. Students who attend are highly dedicated, spending a substantial portion of their school day—a minimum of 110 minutes, five days a week—immersed in intensive arts training led by a faculty of practicing professional artists. The results speak for themselves: consistently, over 90% of Fine Arts Center graduates pursue higher education, often earning millions of dollars in scholarship offers to the nation’s top arts and academic institutions.

The school's atmosphere is frequently praised by those who experience it, fostering a warm and welcoming environment where tenacity and commitment are valued alongside raw talent. As one student shared, “People are nice and welcoming. I go to school here and I can't say anything bad about it…” The commitment of the faculty and the quality of the student work are often showcased, such as during the popular Art Sale events where "students sell some of their hand made arts with excellent prices and quality. Go visit and support all these artists in the Fine Art Center. I really liked it and some pieces I have never seen. Good job !!" This level of public engagement demonstrates the center's deep connection to and positive impact on the Greenville community and the broader South Carolina arts scene.

The Fine Arts Center is centrally located in Greenville, South Carolina, offering easy access for students traveling from high schools across the county. Its modern facility provides a professional and stimulating learning environment that is convenient for visitors and participants alike.

• Address: 102 Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville, SC 29609, USA
• Geographical Context: The location is near Wade Hampton High School, a familiar landmark that makes it simple to find, though users should be mindful of traffic during high school dismissal times.
• Accessibility: The facility is fully committed to inclusion, featuring a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
• Digital Access: Recognizing the needs of contemporary education, the Center also offers Online classes and Onsite services, ensuring flexibility in delivery methods.
• Student Support: As part of the Greenville County School District, the Center often provides transportation services for GCS students to and from their home high schools.

The Fine Arts Center provides comprehensive, pre-professional instruction across eight distinct areas of study. These programs are designed to be challenging, sequential, and delivered by faculty who are experts and practicing professionals in their respective fields.

• Visual Arts Classes: Intensive training covering Painting Class, Fine Arts, Photography Classes, Fiber Arts Classes, and Screen Printing, often using industry-standard equipment like presses, kilns, and darkroom facilities.
• Performing Arts & Theatre: This includes rigorous study in Actor Training, Theatre Classes, Music Theatre, and Technical Theatre/Design, utilizing the 4,400-square-foot Black Box Theatre and Sutherlin Recital Hall.
• Dance Training: Professional Dance Class and Dance Studios instruction, focusing on concert dance foundations like ballet and modern dance in a specialized studio equipped with a sprung floor.
• Music Class & Recording Arts: Programs in instrumental and vocal music, including Jazz Studies, Strings Chamber Music, Voice, and the innovative Recording Arts program with a fully equipped studio.
• Creative Writing: High-level instruction in Creative Writing and Writing Classes, including the production of "Crashtest," an internationally recognized online literary magazine edited by students.
• Design Class & Architectural Design: The unique and nationally recognized Art of Architecture program, often in connection with Clemson University, and instruction in Graphic Design and Computer Programs for design.
• Filmmaking Class: Training in Digital Filmmaking and media production, covering aspects from writing and lighting to editing and sound.
• Support Services (GCS Counseling & Social Work): Providing Gcs Counseling Services and Social Work Services to support the whole student, recognizing that a supportive environment is key to artistic success.

What makes the Fine Arts Center an exemplary choice for South Carolina’s budding artists is the combination of its historical significance, state-of-the-art facilities, and the quality of its educational output.

• South Carolina’s First Public Arts High School: Its status since 1974 means the Center has a long, proven history of developing talent and a deep network of successful alumni and partners.
• Nationally Recognized Programs: The FAC is an Arts Schools Network “Exemplary School” and consistently garners high honors in national competitions like the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and Downbeat Magazine Student Jazz Awards.
• Exceptional Facilities: The new Pine Knoll Drive location features industry-standard resources, including a Black Box Theatre with a walkable tension grid, a Recital Hall with livestreaming capabilities, and specialized studios for every discipline (ceramics, fiber arts, recording, and dance).
• Faculty of Practicing Professionals: All faculty members are working artists in their respective fields, providing students with pre-professional training and real-world perspectives that go beyond academic theory.
• College Credit and Partnerships: The Center has Memoranda of Agreement with respected SC universities like Clemson University and Coastal Carolina University, allowing students to earn college credit or challenge advanced courses based on their FAC coursework.
• Artist-in-Residence Program: With support from organizations like the Peace Center, the FAC hosts nationally and internationally known guest artists for week-long residencies, masterclasses, and workshops, providing unparalleled access to top-tier professionals.
• Public Engagement and Exhibits: The Sheffield Wood Art Gallery hosts exhibitions, and students regularly participate in public performances and sales, allowing them to gain real-world experience and community support.

To learn more about the application and audition process for this transformative Art school program, or for general inquiries, please use the contact information provided below. We encourage all interested students and parents to visit the official website for application timelines, which typically open in the fall for the following school year.

• Address: 102 Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville, SC 29609, USA
• Phone: (864) 355-2550

For a young, aspiring artist in South Carolina, the Fine Arts Center is the clear, standout choice for advanced pre-professional training. What sets the FAC apart is the rigor and depth of its curriculum, which treats the arts as serious, career-track disciplines. Students are not just taking a class; they are entering an intense, pre-professional program taught by faculty who are actively working in their fields—a distinction that few high school-level programs can match.

Choosing the Fine Arts Center is a strategic decision for college preparation. The Center's track record of securing substantial college scholarships and its formal articulation agreements with major universities give its graduates a significant advantage. Furthermore, the commitment to the whole student, including providing GCS Counseling Services and financial support for low-income students via the Fine Arts Center Partners, ensures that talented students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed. By offering a world-class education in a state-of-the-art facility, the Fine Arts Center provides a nurturing yet demanding environment that effectively launches its students onto the national stage, making it an invaluable resource for the future of the arts in the Palmetto State.

Fine Arts Center

102 Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville, SC 29609, USA