The MississippiSchool of the Arts is an upper high school of literary, visual, and performing arts on the historic Whitworth College Campus in Brookhaven, Mississippi, about sixty miles south of Jackson, Mississippi. MSA teaches 11th and 12th grade students. The site has 6 buildings designated as Mississippi Landmarks, and the campus is also notable as being on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The renovation or construction of the campus facilities, as a historic site, are ongoing and rely upon additional funding to make capital improvements. The Mississippi School of the Arts provides advanced programs of study in visual arts, vocal music, theatre, dance, and literary arts for "artistically gifted" 11th/12th grade students from throughout Mississippi, within a residential school. The curriculum at MSA focuses on the arts and humanities. A comprehensive residential and academic curriculum prepares students for further studies or for the pursuit of employment. Some non-arts courses are taught in conjunction with Brookhaven High School, 6 blocks away, to provide a wider curriculum. Students apply for admission during their sophomore year at other schools.
Mission statement
The mission of the MSA school is to provide a "challenging arts education for artistically gifted and talented Mississippi students" located within a residential education environment which encourages integrity, honor, service, and lifelong learning. The Mississippi School of the Arts envisions a supportive community of diverse learners where the art students "imagine, create, and realize" a better world in which to work and live. MSA provides challenging experiences and advanced studies in arts disciplines supported by an interdisciplinary academic setting. An emphasis on technological expertise and effective communication are integral components of all courses of study. MSA students will learn to communicate effectively through writing and speaking while focusing on creative expression in their chosen disciplines.
History
At the site of the present MSA campus, Whitworth College had been a four-year, all-female, Methodist college from 1858 until 1928. At that point, the school became a liberal arts junior college within the Millsaps College System. However, in 1937, support was withdrawn by the Methodist Conference. The WhitworthCollege campus area, over the years, has been a Civil WarConfederate hospital, then later a junior college with a reputation for performances by major musicians, and also an evening school for veterans who attended college under the G.I. bill. After the City of Brookhaven donated the campus to the State of Mississippi for the purpose of MSA in 1999, the State of Mississippi funded the restoration of the campus. The campus is now divided into the Historic Upper Campus and the Contemporary Lower Campus. The upper campus includes: Johnson Institute, Mary Jane Lampton Auditorium, Enochs Hall, Elizabeth Cottage, Cooper Hall, and the Helen Furlow Scruggs Y-Hut. The lower campus consists of the recently constructed Student Life Center, the dormitories, library, digital arts lab, and cafeteria. MSA welcomed its inaugural class of students on August 3, 2003.
Arts Disciplines
Most of the faculty works with the literary, visual, and performing arts, although there are regular academic teachers as well. For classes not offered at MSA, students are either enrolled in online classes or bussed to Brookhaven High. In the student life center, other staff members have been employed as residential counselors, and food service workers. There are also several employees working in school security.
Theatre Arts
The Classes Taught in the Department: -Dramaturgy I & II -Acting I, II, III, & IV -Movement for the Actor I & II -Company I & II -Theatre Production
Visual Arts
Drawing I/ Drawing II/ Painting I/ Painting II/ Mixed Media/ Advanced Drawing and Painting/ Advanced Portfolio/ Senior Focus/ Photography/ Digital Arts/ 3D Media/ 2D Media/
Literary Arts
2007-8 was the first year for the Literary Arts department.
Dance Arts
Dance was added in the Fall of 2009. Students learn different styles of dance such as Ballet, Modern, and Improvisation. Students also learn stage production including lights and sound.
