DepEd opens art scholarship program

THE Department of Education (DepEd) opened its doors to high school arts scholars hoping to find another world-class artist who will bring honor to the country.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said they are now accepting applicants from graduating elementary students who want to avail scholarship to a special education focused on the arts at Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) in Los Banos, Laguna.

“This scholarship privilege will enable budding artists to realize their full potential in various art disciplines and who will one day make the country proud,” Luistro said.

PHSA is a government-run special secondary school for young artists. It conducts screening of applicants annually to continuously search for artistically talented children who will be given special training in the field of dance, creative writing, music, theatre, and visual arts.

The school’s curriculum is intended to ensure continuing source of artists of excellence and leaders in the preservation and promotion of Filipino artistic and cultural traditions.

Luistro said successful applicants will be awarded free tuition, textbooks, board and lodging, a modest monthly stipend, individualized classes with master teachers, and a chance to represent the country in international competitions and exchange programs.

“The scholarship grant is renewable every year upon satisfaction of both academic and non-academic requirements,” he added.

The DepEd said eligible applicants must be Filipino citizens with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country.

They should have outstanding ability in dance, music, theater, visual arts and creative writing.

They must be graduating Grade VI or VII pupils this SY 2010-2011 and will be able to take up the scholarship in the school year for which the scholarship is granted.

Candidates must also be proficient in oral and written language (English and Filipino), in good health condition, willing to study in a boarding school, and determined to pursue a college in fine arts or architecture, music, dance, theater, creative writing, journalism or any related courses upon graduation from PHSA.

Likewise, the applicant should not be more than 15 years old.

Interested applicants may send their accomplished form and other requirements by mail or by personally bringing them to the Annual Nationwide Search for Young Art Scholars Committee, Philippine High School for the Arts, national Arts Center, Mt. Makiling, College 4031, Laguna.

Scholarship requirements

For creative writing applicants, additional requirements include a neatly presented portfolio of not less than 10 samples of writings in Filipino or English, typewritten, double-spaced on A4 white bond paper authenticated by the school principal or teacher-in-charge.

For music, applicants are required to submit a video-taped performance on a CD or DVD format. For visual arts, applicants may also submit 10 images of artworks (jpeg format) in CD or DVD.

Downloadable application form and pertinent information about the school and the scholarship are available from the following websites - www.phsa.edu.ph; www.deped.gov.ph; and www.ncca.gov.ph

Applicants who qualify in the preliminary evaluation will be notified by PHSA for further assessment and live audition at a specified Regional Test and Audition Center.

Deadline for the submission of applications is on August 30, 2010.

The DepEd chief also related that the specialized curriculum PHSA offers is what the department wishes to push through once the K+12 program is institutionalized.

“We should push for the kind of curriculum that will enhance the multi-intelligence of the students. It is also important that the curriculum is relevant to the needs of the industry and responds to the needs of our students,” explained Luistro.

The K+12 program involves adding two more years to the current 10-year basic education cycle, enhancement of the curriculum as well as doing away with unneeded subjects. (AH/Sunnex)

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