SIG Focus: Performing Arts

​NACAC Special Interest Groups (SIGs) nurture the growing diversity in our association by providing “micro” communities where members can network and add value to their membership experience. These smaller subsets of members are formed for the purpose of knowledge sharing and discussion among members with similar interests whether they are specific subjects, issues or type of institution, or students they serve.

We are thrilled to introduce ourselves as the co-leaders for NACAC’s newly reconstructed Performing Arts SIG. What was formerly the Music Admissions SIG has been re-named in order to meet the needs of an ever-growing, ever-evolving base of admission representatives, high school counselors, and independent educational consultants.

The mission of the Performing Arts SIG is to create a network of NACAC members and other interested individuals who are concerned about the issues of performing arts students as they relate to the college prep, application, and admission processes, as well as their experience on college campuses. We seek to provide a space to discuss, advocate, and support matters directly related to performing arts admission and performing arts education, including, but not limited to, programs in all aspects of music, dance, theatre, and film.

We all recognize the performing arts are vital to the existence, maintenance, and transmission of society and culture. We know students who have the performing arts in their lives come from every imaginable socioeconomic, social, ethnic, academic, and cultural background, and they find commonality in their passions and expressions. Performing arts students often wrestle with finding a balance between their arts passions and viable career paths. Our goal as a SIG is to be a virtual, and occasionally actual, meeting place for the exchange of information, ideas, and processes through which these students can continue to learn and grow and share their talents with the world.

Our primary meeting space will be the Performing Arts SIG Exchange group. As SIG co-leaders, we will suggest relevant and timely topics concerning Performing Arts students. We invite you, the SIG members, and those of you who may not yet be SIG members, to contribute your thoughts, ideas, and additional discussion topics. We hope the ensuing dialogues will bring us all closer to understanding the teaching and learning processes associated with studies and careers in the performing arts.