Application Information

Please only apply to the Fine Arts Center if you can commit to following the application and audition instructions, checking your email and your Backpack account regularly, and showing up to your audition time if you are offered an audition.

In order to receive an audition with us, you must be a student in good standing at your school.  We will look at your discipline record and grades to ensure that you will be a successful student in the rigorous, independent learning environment of the FAC.

*Students who will not be attending a GCS High School next year - Charter School, Home School, Private School, Virtual School:

• Charter school students within a district that has chosen to partner with Greenville County Schools, private school students and home school students are eligible to participate in assigned FAC programs on a space available basis with regularly enrolled in-district students having priority.  Students who attend/are planning to attend a non-GCS High School may audition; however, priority for admittance will be given to students who attend/are planning to attend a GCS High School.  GCS students will be granted admission first, and if there are remaining spots in the program, they will be offered to non-GCS students based on their audition score.
• Charter school students within a charter district that has not chosen to partner with Greenville County Schools will not be allowed to attend the FAC.  
• You are responsible for confirming that your class schedule will not conflict with the FAC schedule.  We will not allow students to leave FAC early or arrive at the FAC late due to your school's class schedule. Please ensure that there are no conflicts before applying to the FAC.

Directions

1. Visit the website of the program or programs that you are interested in (see list below).  Watch the introductory video and carefully go over the audition timeline and requirements.  You may audition for more than one program (three programs, maximum) but will need to choose only one program if you receive multiple offers.
   
   
2. Click the following link to take you to the GCS Backpack login page - https://gcsbackpack.com/signin.aspx.
   1. GCS students - use your normal Student Backpack Login.
   2. Non-GCS students - one of your parents will need to create a new Backpack account and add your information to it. Once they have created a Parent Backpack account, you will then complete the application through your Parent Backpack account.
   3. Note for Out-of-County Students:  Out-of-county students are required to pay tuition to the Greenville County Schools to attend the Fine Arts Center.
      
      
3. Once logged in, click on “Programs” on the menu on the left side of the page. Next, select “Apply to a Program” and click “Apply” next to Fine Arts Center.  The application will be available from November 28, 2023 through January 26, 2024.  The application closes promptly at 11:59 p.m.  No extensions will be offered.
   
   
4. Obtain a recommendation - an arts teacher, usually someone who has worked closely with you, will be sent an email with a link to complete the online recommendation portion of the application. 
   1. Please let your recommender know that the email with the link will be sent to them after the application closes on January 26. 
   2. Out-of-county, private, home, and charter school students will need to have their school or home school association send a copy of grades to the Fine Arts Center, attn: Gloria Collins or email Ms. Collins at gcollins@greenville.k12.sc.us.
      
      
5. Carefully follow the audition requirements.  Does your program require a pre-screening?  What do you need to prepare for your audition?
   1. Communication is essential - check your email regularly and follow the audition timeline.
   2. If you decide to not to audition after you have applied, please notify us.
   3. Be on time for your scheduled audition.  Dress professionally.  
   4. No audition extensions or reauditions will be entertained.

 

Application FAQs

• November 28, 2023 – Fine Arts Center online application for new and returning students for the 2023 - 2024 school year will go live. The application is completed in the GCS Backpack module. 
  
  
• January 26, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. -  Final deadline for applications and pre-screening materials. The only exceptions to this deadline are for families that move into Greenville County after the audition window has closed.

• February 9 - Notification of pre-screening results sent to applicants.
  
  
• February 24 and March 2 -  Whole School Audition Days
  
  
• March 14 - Notification of audition results goes out to all students
  
  • Students will be notified via their Backpack Account
    • Please note - students who did not pass the pre-screening will also receive an email at this time.  We apologize for the inconvenience.
  • There are three possible results that a student can receive
    • Offer to attend the FAC
    • No Offer - means that the student was not accepted into the program.
    • Wait List
      • Students will be notified by the school if they are accepted from the waitlist
      • Acceptance can occur any time up until the start of the 2023 school year
      • Please do not call us to ask about the waitlist order - we will reach out to you if a spot becomes available.
        
        
• March 28 –  Deadline to accept or decline offer of acceptance via the Backpack Account.