Florida School of the Arts

- 5001 Saint Johns Ave, location under renovation Temp Location:, 1001 Husson Ave, Palatka, FL 32177

The Florida School of the Arts (FSA), located in the heart of Florida, is a highly respected public, fully accredited two-year institution dedicated to providing comprehensive and intensive training in both the visual and performing arts. As a celebrated local treasure and an asset to the Florida educational landscape, FSA is committed to nurturing the next generation of creative professionals. It operates with a mission to offer an intimate setting where students receive close, individual attention from a staff of dedicated, professional faculty, focusing on building upon strengths and helping students grow beyond present limitations.

For aspiring artists, dancers, actors, and designers across Florida, FSA presents a unique opportunity to earn an Associate in Arts (AA) degree while immersing themselves in rigorous, conservatory-style training. This two-year degree option guarantees admission into one of Florida's public universities upon completion, providing a clear pathway for students who wish to pursue a Bachelor's degree while benefiting from a focused, arts-centric start to their college career. The commitment to student success is a top priority, making it a compelling choice for those serious about turning a passion for the arts into a viable and rewarding profession.

The school is known for its diverse and robust programming, catering to a wide range of artistic interests from traditional studio arts like painting and photography to dynamic performing arts like musical theater and dance. Furthermore, the school aims to serve the wider community by hosting performances and exhibitions that enrich the local culture of the Palatka area.

The Florida School of the Arts is situated in Palatka, Florida, a city that offers a backdrop of vintage architecture, tall palms, and oak trees festooned with Spanish moss along the beautiful St. Johns River. This picturesque setting, often described as “old Florida,” provides a rich and inspiring environment for creative study. It is housed within St. Johns River State College, providing students with the resources of a larger institution while maintaining a dedicated arts focus.

While the permanent address is 5001 Saint Johns Ave, prospective students and visitors should note that the location is currently under renovation. The temporary operating location is at 1001 Husson Ave, Palatka, FL 32177, USA. It is always recommended to verify the current location before planning a visit.

FSA strives to be accessible to everyone in the Florida community. The school has publicly available accessibility features, including a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, demonstrating a commitment to serving all potential students and audience members. The campus is also considered "Good for kids," suggesting a welcoming environment for younger participants in any of the school's outreach or performance-based programs.

Florida School of the Arts provides a comprehensive array of educational, technical, and student support services. These offerings are designed to support students at every stage of their artistic and academic journey, whether they are just beginning or preparing for a professional career.

• Degree Programs and Education: AA Degree, College Classes, Degree Programs, Education Programs, Adult Education, Early Childhood Education, Teacher Education, Online Courses.
• Artistic Instruction: Beginner's classes, Intermediate classes, Advanced classes, Painting, Photography, Studio Art, Studio Arts Course, Acting, Dance, Dance Course, Musical Theater, Musical Theatre Course, Design Course, Graphic Design, Animation Course, New Media, Lighting and Technical Design, Stage Management, Performing Arts.
• Student and Academic Support: Academic Advising, Academic Planning, Placement Testing, Tutoring Service, Disability Services, Student Services, Career Services, Specialized Services.
• Community and Facility Services: Arts Program, Arts Programs, Facility Rental, Group Tours, Learning Programs, Training Workshops.

FSA distinguishes itself within the Florida arts community through several key features that benefit both students and the public. The dedicated facilities and professional focus ensure a high-quality educational experience.

• Accreditation and Transferability: FSA is a fully accredited two-year arts school offering the Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science degrees. This critical AA degree provides a seamless transfer pathway to public universities throughout the State University System of Florida. The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
• Professional Facilities: The school's dedicated facilities are professional-grade, supporting immersive instruction. These include a 480-seat auditorium for major performances, fully equipped scene and costume shops for theatrical production, music theory and stage management labs, two dedicated dance studios, and a studio theater. For visual artists, there is a fine art gallery, painting studio, photography studio, darkroom facilities, printmaking studio, and a 3D lab equipped for woodworking and welding.
• Conservatory-Style Training in an Intimate Setting: The school was specifically designed to offer an intimate learning environment. This ensures students benefit from close, individual attention from the faculty, a hallmark of effective, high-level arts training.
• Community Enrichment: By hosting productions and art exhibitions, FSA serves as a central hub for arts and culture in the Palatka region, providing both students and local residents with year-round opportunities for engagement and entertainment. The community can enjoy "really fun plays" produced by the theater department.
• Diverse Program Offerings: Beyond traditional fine arts, the curriculum includes modern and technical fields such as New Media, Animation, and Lighting and Technical Design, preparing students for the evolving creative industries.

For those in Florida seeking more information about enrollment, performance schedules, or facility rentals, please use the following contact details:

Temporary Address (Current Location): 1001 Husson Ave, Palatka, FL 32177, USA

Original Address (Under Renovation): 5001 Saint Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177, USA

Phone: (386) 312-4300

Mobile Phone: +1 386-312-4300

For any Florida resident passionate about a career in the arts, the Florida School of the Arts offers a distinctive and valuable educational path. What truly sets FSA apart and makes it a worthwhile choice is its unique combination of a focused arts conservatory model with the financial and academic benefits of a public two-year college. The AA degree ensures that your creative education is supported by a foundation that facilitates transfer to a four-year institution, guaranteeing admission into the state university system. This provides both specialized training and academic mobility.

The faculty, described as dedicated professionals, are focused on guiding each student’s individual growth. For students interested in the performing arts, the opportunity to participate in productions like the "really fun plays" noted by one commenter highlights the practical, performance-based learning experience. For visual arts students, the professional-grade studios and gallery space offer an essential hands-on environment for developing a professional portfolio.

While some historical comments reflect challenges regarding instructional methods, particularly the perceived focus on 'museum art' over commercial illustration, it is important for prospective students to engage with the school directly, visit the campus, and speak with current faculty to align their specific career goals with the contemporary curriculum. The sheer breadth of the modern service offerings, including Graphic Design, Animation, and New Media, suggests an active effort to provide relevant, career-focused training across the full spectrum of the arts industry.

Ultimately, if you are looking for an affordable, highly focused, and intimate arts program in Florida that provides a clear pathway for continued academic success, the Florida School of the Arts offers a strong platform to "Create your future," providing the professional attention and resources needed to thrive in the challenging yet rewarding world of creative arts.

Florida School of the Arts

5001 Saint Johns Ave, location under renovation Temp Location:, 1001 Husson Ave, Palatka, FL 32177, USA