Kentucky’s Governor’s School for the Arts helps inspire young artists

LEXINGTON (WTVQ) – After being virtual last year because of COVID, The Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) is back in person.

“They have a lot to offer the world.,” said Nick Covault, GSA Director. “The world needs their creative skills and creative talent.”

More than 250 students from across Kentucky are attending GSA at the University of Kentucky. It’s a three-week, tuition-free program for rising high school juniors and seniors.

“We give them a chance to fully be an artist all day long around other artists and being around people who are just as passionate about their creative interests,” said Covault.

The students apply and audition for one of the nine core art forms of study.

“Architectural design, creative writing, dance, drama, film and photography, instrumental music, musical theatre, visual arts, and vocal music,” explained Covault.

Whitney Powers, a senior this fall at Anderson County High School, is pursuing her dreams by studying vocal music.

“I’ve always loved music and GSA felt like a place I could really pursue that and it gave me an option to have music as one of my careers,” said Powers.

Powers has hopes of pursuing vocal performance or music education in college.

“I want into u-k, so it’s fun being here since I want to attend here,” said Powers.

Covault said even if students realize they don’t want to be professional artists, like Powers, art can still play a big role in their futures.

“The world needs creative scientists, the world needs artistic business people and as creatively talented people, they have a lot to offer the world regardless of whether or not they end up in a museum or on a stage professionally,” he said.

The application process for next year’s GSA begins this fall for sophomores and juniors.

“This is a great experience and even just the audition process, even if you don’t get in, the audition process is a great learning experience,” said Powers.